Cheap heating of a private house with your own hands

Heating your home is the most economical way

It is also worth thinking about modern environmentally friendly heat sources, for example:

• recuperators,
• solar collectors,
• heat pumps.

Installing this type of device is a relatively expensive investment, but well worth it in the long run. The most profitable heating of a private house is always a comprehensive solution.

Low heating bills with a heat pump

Heat pumps provide low heating costs and operate automatically. For heating use the free energy accumulated in the soil, groundwater and atmospheric air. With the help of electrical energy, it is converted into heat for heating the house.

Modern heat pumps heat the water entering the building's heating system to a temperature of 65 °C (sometimes even up to 70 °C). The heat pump can work with radiators, while it is possible to leave old batteries, which reduces investment costs and eliminates unwanted repairs.

Lower heating costs with solar collectors

Free energy is also used by solar collectors, which, as an additional source of heat, can work in conjunction with a heating boiler or heat pump. These devices are the perfect addition to the main heat source.

Solar collectors, which support heating and hot water supply, save up to 60% of the cost of heating water throughout the year. At the same time, the service life of high quality collectors is at least 20 years.

Mechanical ventilation and recovery

Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery consists of controlled ventilation. At the same time, stale air is removed from the premises, but its heat, through the heat exchanger, is transferred to fresh air coming from the street. The heated and purified air is distributed through the air ducts throughout the building. Heat recovery ventilation provides fresh air to the premises in the required quantity, but reduces energy losses, which significantly reduces the cost of heating the building.You can read more about how ventilation with heat recovery works in our article at this link.

Thus, the modernization of the heating system is not only the replacement of an old worn-out heat source, but also the replacement of a relatively new device with low efficiency for a more efficient one. This concerns, in particular, the replacement of traditional atmospheric boilers with condensing ones. The difference in efficiency between such devices in practice reaches 20-30%, and the return on investment, as a rule, is from 3 to 6 years.

When choosing how to heat a particular building, it is important to determine the cost of investment and the amount of heating savings that we will get through modernization. The amount of funds may vary depending on the decisions made and the amount of work required.

Heating a house in an economical way involves the use of modern boilers in combination with heat recovery, a heat pump and a solar collector.

Stove heating

A proven old-fashioned method is to heat a country house or cottage with a stove. Now this option is rather an exception. Meanwhile, stove heating is an indispensable thing, because:

• reliable and independent of gas or electricity;
• inexpensive;
• environmentally friendly.

A few more disadvantages:

• low efficiency (however, if you place the stove in the center of the house and run the chimney in the center, you can heat the whole house);
• long heating;
• soot, soot;
• it is required to throw up fuel, monitor the coals;
• need a corner to store firewood.

If you are not satisfied with the stove, you can replace it with a solid fuel boiler. Not only firewood is thrown into such boilers, but also coal, peat, sawdust. The advantages of solid fuel boilers are consonant with the advantages of stove heating.The disadvantages are the same.

Experienced owners of country houses note that the best option for heating a country house often consists of a combination of several methods. Furnace heating or a solid fuel boiler perfectly coexist with electric heating. During the day, the stove is used, and at night there is a transition to electric heating at a reduced rate. It will cost a little more, but one option insures the other, and various force majeure is not terrible.

Another great option is a combination boiler. Various combinations, for example, gas + firewood, electricity + firewood. The advantage is that the first type of heating is easily replaced by the second. Built-in automation independently controls fuel transitions.

Method 7 - infrared heaters (most economical)

Infrared heaters are considered the most economical of all types of electric heaters. They do not need heating elements and pipes with water. Infrared heaters heat objects, not the room. Then the air is heated from the heated objects. If an electric boiler can be compared with a kettle, then an infrared one can be compared with a microwave.

Infrared panels are especially popular. They are installed on the ceiling or on the walls of residential and industrial premises. Since the heating area is increased, the room becomes warm faster than usual. Such a panel can be used as an independent source of heating or as an addition to an existing system. The infrared heater is well combined with electrode boilers. For example, an infrared heater can only be turned on in spring and autumn, when it is too early to turn on the main heating, or when it suddenly gets cold outside.

Pictured is a GROHE infrared panel, Germany

Simple heating of a country house: without gas and electricity

Heating a home with electricity is expensive and unreliable. The use of gas is cheaper, but it is not always possible to connect it. Then you have to look for other options.

There are several modern alternative sources: the energy of the sun, underground bowels or a non-freezing reservoir. But their installation is quite expensive and complicated. Therefore, often for a summer residence they choose such a traditional option as stove heating.

oven

It has been known for a long time, but remains relevant to this day. There are many types of ovens. They are able to heat the whole house or a separate room. Sometimes they are connected to a water heating system. Furnaces not only heat, but also cook food.

Fuel burns in the combustion chamber. It heats the walls of the furnace, which give off heat to the house. The following materials are used:

• brick;
• cast iron;
• stainless steel.

The brick heats up for a long time, but it also gives off heat longer. To maintain a comfortable temperature in the country, 1-2 heatings per day are required. Steel ovens heat up quickly and also cool down quickly. Cast iron also heat up quickly, and in terms of heat transfer they occupy an intermediate place between other varieties.

As fuel use:

• firewood;
• coal;
• pallets;
• fuel briquettes.

Pros and cons

The advantages of heating a cottage with a stove include:

1. Autonomy. No dependence on gas and electricity.
2. Suitable for houses in which they do not live permanently.
3. You can also cook in the oven.

There are such disadvantages:

1. Requires storage space for fuel.
2. Brick ovens are quite massive, and it is advisable to lay them with the house.
3. Less heating efficiency.
4. If the water circuit is not connected, it will be cooler in rooms far from the stove.
5. It is necessary to make a chimney.

What heating is more profitable in the Russian Federation

Before determining the cheapest way to heat, we list all the energy sources available to residents of the Russian Federation:

• various types of solid fuels - firewood, briquettes (eurofirewood), pellets and coal;
• diesel fuel (solar oil);
• used oils;
• main gas;
• liquefied gas;
• electricity.

To figure out which heating is the cheapest, you need to find out how much each energy carrier can release heat and how much it will result in, and then compare the data. To determine the most economical heating will help the table, which contains the results of the calculations:

Anyone can perform such a calculation by substituting in the table the heat load on the heating system of their building and the cost of fuel in the region of residence. The calculation algorithm is as follows:

1. Column No. 3 contains the values ​​​​of the theoretical heat transfer per unit of fuel, and column No. 4 - the efficiency (COP) of heating equipment using this energy carrier. These are reference values ​​that remain unchanged.
2. The next step is to calculate how much heat actually enters the house from a unit of fuel. The calorific value is multiplied by the boiler efficiency divided by 100. The results are entered in the 5th column.
3. Knowing the price of a unit of fuel (column No. 6), it is easy to calculate the cost of 1 kW / h of thermal energy received from this type of fuel. The unit price is divided by the actual heat output, the results are in column No. 7.
4. Column No. 8 shows the average heat consumption per month for a country house with an area of ​​100 m², located in the middle zone of the Russian Federation. You must enter your heat consumption value for the calculation.
5. The average monthly heating costs for housing are indicated in column No. 9. The figure is obtained by multiplying the monthly heat consumption by the cost of 1 kW obtained from various types of fuel.

The table shows 2 types of firewood commonly available for sale - freshly cut and dry. This will help you understand how profitable it is to heat a stove or boiler with dry wood.

Analysis of calculation results

The calculations show that the most economical heating in 2019 for private houses in the Russian Federation is still provided by natural gas, this energy carrier remains unrivaled. Consider the fact that gas-using equipment is relatively inexpensive, and is quite efficient and comfortable to use.

The problem with gas in the Russian Federation is the high cost of connecting to existing pipelines. In order to economically heat a home, you will have to pay from 50 thousand rubles. (in remote regions) up to 1 million rubles. (In the Moscow region) for joining a gas pipeline.

Having learned how much the connection costs, many homeowners are thinking about how and with what to heat their house without gas. There are other energy carriers listed in the table:

The use of purely electric equipment for round-the-clock heating of the house cannot be called profitable, since the cheap nightly rate is valid for 8 hours a day, and the rest of the time you will have to pay the full rate. So heating with electricity alone will not work out cheaply.

Types of heating and the possibility of saving

Consider several types of heating:

1. Electricity. At present, this is the most expensive way of heating and it is difficult to define it as economical heating. Therefore, it is most often used as an additional heat source.
2. Gas. Heating on gas is the cheapest and most economical. If there is a gas main nearby, be sure to choose this most economical heating.
3. Solid fuel - peat fuel briquettes. Most often used where there is no gas pipeline.
4. Liquid fuels. Boilers for space heating can run on diesel fuel and are another type of fuel included in the category of economical heating.
5. Heating with wood. This is the most reliable and centuries-old method of heating. If you put a fireplace in the house, then you can not only heat the room, but also enjoy watching the burning fire on cold blizzard evenings, creating a cozy romantic atmosphere in the house. Of course, there are also disadvantages. The most important is a great fire hazard, as well as the high cost of firewood. True, it is much cheaper than using electric heaters.
6. Heating with coal. It is very common in the CIS countries so far.

Heating with wood	Solar heating boiler
Peat fuel briquettes	Heating with coal

Maintaining the temperature level in one specified degree

When installing equipment such as economical heating systems for a country house, in order to achieve savings in heating, the first thing to do is buy thermostatic heads and sensors for reading indoor temperatures. They are mounted on heating elements. To install the temperature sensor, connect the pipes that will connect the sensors and the boiler.

Battery thermostat

This kind of work is best done at the stage of building a house.

If the house is already ready, we recommend paying attention to wireless sensors. You must understand that such sensors will cost more, but you save on labor costs with hidden installation of equipment.

The most popular sources of thermal energy

In different parts of the world, different resources are used to heat homes. In Russia, it is traditionally solid fuel, gas or electricity. In order to organize cheap home heating with your own hands, you need to know the difference in the cost of these products, in the costs of installing special equipment, and many more different nuances. At the same time, one should not forget that for heating housing, especially a large country house, an open source of heat is rarely used. Most often, a system of radiators is installed, through which hot water or heated air is supplied from a central distribution boiler. But the boiler itself is heated by using the energy of any fuel

It is important to remember: cheap home heating depends not only on what you will burn, but also on what equipment and components will be used. Compare the pros and cons of some heat sources and special equipment

Electricity is not the cheapest way to heat your home

The main advantage of electric heating is the rapid distribution of heat around the source.

This source is available almost everywhere. But it is unlikely that heating a private house with electricity can be called the cheapest.If you decide to use electrical appliances for heating, then be prepared to see large numbers on your electricity bill. The main advantage of electric heating is the rapid spread of heat around the source. Literally within a few minutes after switching on, you can feel the result. That is why electric heaters are used most often not for permanent heating of housing, but in some emergency cases. The fire hazard of electrical heating appliances is also quite high. It is not recommended to leave them switched on for a long time without supervision.

solid fuel

Under this name, most often they mean firewood and coal. Firewood, although a very common fuel in Russia, will not help you solve the problem of cheap heating at home.

Briquettes of fuel can have a different composition

In private houses, they are usually used to kindle stoves before laying coal. In large country houses, where, as a rule, there are fireplaces, firewood is also used. Coal is the cheapest and most commonly used solid fuel for heating private homes. Thus, if you want to provide economical heating at home with your own hands, add to the project a stove that will be heated with coal and heat your home. In some areas, briquetted fuel is also used. It can be peat or pressed wood chips. However, due to geographical features, such fuels are not very common in Russia.

Liquid fuel

Derivatives of chemical industries are usually used as liquid fuels - fuel oil, diesel fuel, etc. In private homes, these heat sources are rarely used. Because acrid smoke is released during combustion.Also, due to the increased flammability, it is rather unsafe to store these types of fuel near residential premises.

Gas

The cheapest heating of a country house can be arranged using gas equipment. The cost of fuel is very low, and modern equipment can be installed and assembled in a matter of hours. However, the cost of quality equipment is quite high. And the final price of the project will depend on the distance of your house from the gas pipeline.

Alternative energy sources

Installing solar panels can save you money

Of all the alternative sources known in the world, solar or wind energy can be used on a more or less large scale in Russia. For this, respectively, solar panels or windmills are needed. These sources are able to give you practically free energy and provide really the cheapest home heating. Moreover, both of them can be very different in size, and, accordingly, cost. However, due to climatic features, they cannot be used constantly and everywhere.

Heating with solar panels

Absorbing the energy of the sun is a popular idea that has been living in the minds of people for decades. Modern technology has made solar panels more affordable, today solar panels are appearing on cottage houses across the country. The device for heating with solar panels is simple:

• Solar energy is absorbed by the panels, turning into thermal energy.
• Thermal energy is used in space heating systems.

Solar panels are an environmentally friendly way to get additional free heat to heat your home or get hot water (which is what they are most often used for).It is worth remembering that the method is applicable with a large number of panels involved, depending on weather conditions and the geographical location of the building. Not suitable for residents of the northern regions with a small daylight hours. Again, the method is very costly.

So what is the most economical heating for a private house?

The question of what type of heating is the most economical, of course, is individual for everyone. But we can definitely say that the answer will most likely be do-it-yourself gas economy heating. Of course, there are some risks, but manufacturers usually guarantee 2-3 years of uninterrupted operation of the equipment, as well as repairs if a malfunction occurs.

Although, in addition to buying it, you will need to spend money on the purchase of pipes, various accessories, you will need to dig trenches, or make a suspension system for gas pipes. There may also be a need to pay for consultations on the installation and maintenance of gas equipment and to pay for the service of drawing up a project for conducting gas communications, and much more. Therefore, when answering the question of which heating is the most economical, you should directly evaluate your home, your capabilities, and also consider a variety of options, evaluating each of them.

The main types of heating

The difference of all existing systems depends on different criteria. Installation location, heating area, technical features of wiring and installation. In frequent cases, the type of construction is influenced by the method of supplying energy carriers and, of course, the total cost of the entire complex responsible for heating a private house.Modern energy-saving technologies offer a wide range of different heating systems, using advanced developments. This article presents popular, common types of heating systems used in almost every home.

Water heating

Among all the options, heating with the use of liquid (water) as a heat carrier is considered the most popular. The advantages of the classic type of water heating have been revealed in the process of long-term use. The technical characteristics of the system allow its operation in various conditions. Both in industrial buildings and in buildings of the private sector, apartments, offices. All this can be done by hand. Main advantages:

• The same temperature regime in all rooms.
• Length of service life.
• The possibility of using different materials of pipes, hardware (polypropylene, metal).
• Quiet operation.
• Fuel economy, easy maintenance.

Separate structural elements of this option are an electric, multifunctional or gas boiler. Coal fired boilers are also used. With their help, water is heated and carried through pipes (closed circulation) to the batteries. This is how the heat of the heated liquid is transferred to the premises. For ease of use, several subspecies are used. We'll talk about them below.

air heating

This type of heating has been known and used since ancient times. Heated air was supplied to the room through a system of air ducts, thereby heating it. In modern design, this is a common method of heating rooms with large areas.Until recently, it was used only in production workshops, sports facilities, and public buildings. But the development of modern technologies allows the use of the air method in private homes.

Heating and supply of air mass to the premises is carried out by heaters. In large workshops, these are special installations that provide heating and constant air circulation of a certain temperature. The local option involves the use of air-heating devices of low power. Usually these are heat guns, fan heaters. The devices are quite mobile and use various construction methods as the main heater (electric heaters, fuel burners, etc.).

The operation of air heating requires strict adherence to fire safety rules and basic hygiene requirements. The second provides for the presence of air purification filters, flow ventilation, air ducts, air curtains and other elements. As well as constant control over the air duct system as a whole.

Electric heating

This type of heating works on the principle of converting electrical energy into heat. The main source of heat is an electric boiler or various heating devices (devices). Boilers are used in water systems, they are considered an environmentally friendly way of heating. Individual devices have their own designs:

• Electric convectors.
• Air curtains.
• Oil radiators with heating elements.
• Infrared emitters (UVI), warm floor.
• Fan heaters, heat guns.

The use of different modifications depends on the installation site, heating area, operating conditions.Electric convectors, oil radiators are well suited for heating apartments or private houses. This applies to UV devices and underfloor heating. All of the above methods are economical (subject to an affordable price for electricity) and do not require the involvement of several types of energy carriers, only electricity can be used.

Method 1 - electric convectors

With the help of electric convectors, it is realistic to provide a cheap and efficient heating system. The electric convector is built on the principle of natural air circulation. From the heater, warm air moves upwards, thus stimulating the movement of air inside the room, and ensuring uniform heating. However, the convector is effective only in a warm climate, when the temperature does not fall below 10-15 degrees.

pros

• No forced air blowing. Even in the cleanest home, there are solid particles that lie on surfaces. By artificially blowing warm air out of a heater, this dust becomes part of the air we breathe. Natural air circulation is not so active, therefore, dust does not rise into the air.
• Small size with sufficient power. The heating elements of convectors heat up quickly, converting electricity into heat with an efficiency of up to 80%. In addition, there is a system of operation in different modes, as well as thermostats that allow you to work not constantly, but only when the air temperature drops.
• Mobility that allows you to move the convector around the room, to places with maximum cold supply.
• The possibility of creating a heating system exclusively with the help of convectors or using them as an integral part of a more complex heating system.
• The electric heating element does not heat up more than 100 degrees, and the body - 60 degrees. They have an increased level of protection against moisture, which allows the use of the convector in the kitchen and bathrooms.

Minuses

• The disadvantages of electric convectors is the installation of heaters in every room of the house.
• In addition, if you turn them on at the same time, then there is a possibility of exceeding the limits of permissible power.

In the photo there is an electric convector from Nobo, Norway

Whether to fill in antifreeze

When the temperature drops to zero, water expands by about 11%. It's easy to imagine what's going on with the pipes. The antifreeze added to the water increases the viscosity of the water several times, and reduces the degree of expansion. In other words, antifreeze is a salvation for the heating system.

Prudent owners who do not live in a country house in the winter should definitely take care of filling antifreeze.

But in pursuit of the safety of the heating system, do not forget about the safety of the water supply system. If it is a tee, have time to drain the water before the cold weather. Then the water pipes will not suffer. Antifreeze in the heating system will be useless if the country cottage has warm water floors.

The best option is to maintain the duty heating of a country house at 9-12 degrees in winter.

Antifreezes serve an average of 5 to 8 years. Then there is the release of acetic acid, which eats radiators. Do not forget to change in time.