You may think that your main heating system is sufficient for keeping the cold at bay during the harsh St. Louis winters. However, even with a powerful heating system, there is no guarantee that your residence will be evenly heated. Most homeowners tend to crank the temperatures on their heating systems up in the belief that higher temperatures will lead to better heating. However, more often than not thanks to inefficient systems, they are disappointed to find out that the heating remains inefficient while their utility bills skyrocket. In these cases, supplemental heating options might be an affordable solution, but not always.
This article we take you through several supplemental heating options for St. Louis homes and discuss the benefits and costs of each. If you are interested in learning which supplemental heating options might be best for your St. Louis area home, contact the heating and air conditioning experts at Galmiche & Sons.
Supplemental Heating Options: What Does Supplemental Heating Mean?
Supplemental heating refers to heating from sources other than your main furnace or heating system, such as fireplaces, space heaters, and radiators. These alternatives, when combined with furnaces, can ensure even heating across all the areas and spaces of a home. However, while they appear energy efficient, some supplemental heating options can end up costing you more in the long run, so it is important to choose carefully.
The Best Supplemental Heating Options to Consider for Your St. Louis Home
In this section, we will take a closer look at some of the best supplemental heating options for St. Louis homes.
Electric Space Heaters
Electric space heaters are among the most compact and portable options for supplemental heating. Even though their heat output radius is limited, they can be quite effective in heating smaller spaces in your home.
The following are some of the advantages of electric space heaters:
- They are energy-efficient and their high energy efficiency results in savings when used properly
- They are highly affordable
However, electric space heaters also have a few cons, such as:
- They should not be used for extended periods
- They are not as efficient when trying to heat larger areas and spaces
- Careless use may result in fires
Electric Radiators
An electric radiator is another compact supplemental heating option that can be energy efficient for small spaces.
Here are some pros of electric radiators:
- They provide heating based on the principles of convection and radiation, which makes them more comfortable compared to other supplemental heating options
- Their maintenance needs are low
- Users can adjust temperatures according to their preferences
Some cons associated with electric radiators include:
- Their compactness makes them unsuitable for larger spaces
Electric and Gas Fireplaces
Both electric and gas fireplaces are considered to be more permanent solutions for supplemental heating requirements. They can generate a considerable amount of heat and are great at increasing the value of a property.
From the heating standpoint, here are some advantages that electric and gas fireplaces have to offer:
- They are high on installation flexibility and ease
- They are capable of heating larger spaces easily
The limitations of electric and gas fireplaces include:
- Time-limited operations are recommended to prevent utility bills from skyrocketing
- They are more expensive compared to radiators and space heaters
Contact Galmiche & Sons to Learn More About Supplemental Heating Options
While the above supplemental heating alternatives all have their benefits, each also comes with several cons and costs. Because of this, it is often more affordable in the long run to invest in the necessary maintenance, repairs, or upgrades to keep your main heating system or furnace running efficiently. At Galmiche & Sons, our team of experts can evaluate your concerns and recommend a cost effective solution that will keep your home comfortable and help you save in the long term.
Contact our heating and cooling team online or by phone at 314-993-1110 to learn more.
