Cozy, toasty, and warm. Heating helps us enjoy our time in the winter, warm our water, and even wash our dishes and clothing. Unfortunately, this comfort comes at a cost. Furnaces and heaters have a huge carbon footprint; almost all are fossil fuel-powered. Even space heaters use electricity likely generated from fossil fuels. Let’s glance at the history of warmth, it’s environmental impact, and heating alternatives to save money and energy, as well as reduce greenhouse gases. 

Heating has been around since our societies were forming. It started naturally, from geothermal hotspots to forest fires. Later, we harnessed it into flames to cook our food and warm our shelters. Now, heating sources are present  in almost every home, business, and building around the world. The first gas heater was invented in 1856, sparking a revolution in comfort and carbon. It followed the same basic principle of the Bunsen burner developed in the previous year. When we burn fossil fuels, they primarily release heat, light, and climate change-causing greenhouse gases.

It’s easy to underestimate the impact your fireplace might have. There’s only a little bit of exhaust coming from the chimney, but tons of warmth in your house. However, add up all the fireplaces, furnaces, and heaters in the world, and you get a hefty percentage of green house gases. Heating and hot water account for about 42 percent of a city’s total greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Earth Institute. Similar to air conditioning, changing temperatures use a ton of energy - and often changes the warmth of our planet as well. 

You don’t have to freeze to death to have a lower environmental impact. Instead of using out-dated methods of heating, try something more modern. Infrared heating and radiant floor heating are great alternatives. Instead of circling warm air around your room, they make the interior surfaces hot, which works to provide warmth better everywhere. They work just like nature; the sun emits infrared radiation, and underground there is hot water. Plus, you’ll get the added benefit of a lower utility bill and less carbon in the atmosphere. 

By spending some time checking your current heating system, you can help reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. If your home is heated efficiently by fossil fuels, consider adding a few infrared panels around your house. They only require an outlet. You’ll find your wallet, home, and environment praising you.

Hey there! Below you can find the sources we research to the most eco-friendly heating. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding these sources.

Our Sources

"Do Infrared Heaters Save Money on Electricity?" Healthy Heat, 26 Jan. 2018, https://healthy-heat.com/blog/do-infrared-heaters-save-money-on-electricity.

"The Basics of Infrared Heating." Heating Green, 16 May 2013, https://heatinggreen.com/infrared-basics/.

"The History of Gas, Electric, and Wall Furnace Heating in America." Heater Home, http://www.heater-home.com/wall-furnace-history.aspx. Accessed 23 Oct. 2020.

Warnier, Alice. "6 Pros and Cons of Radiant Floor Heating You Didn’t Know." Warmup, 21 June 2018, https://www.warmup.com/blog/pros-cons-of-radiant-floor-heating.

https://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2019/01/15/heat-pumps-home-heating/