Over 40% of the energy used in American homes is for heating them up, impacting both our wallets and our carbon emissions. Today I unpack the best heating systems that you can use to create a greener home. Early in the episode, we discuss how inefficient home heating adds to problems ranging from air pollution to animal habitat loss. Fortunately, you have options that can suit your climate and context. Starting with the top solutions and working downwards, I explore your options, including passive and active solar heating, heat pumps, solar panels, getting electricity from more sustainable sources, burning wood, and finally using boilers and gas furnaces. We also touch on other factors to consider, such as how much energy is taken to create and maintain these different heating solutions. Finally, I wrap up the episode with a concise summary of everything that we’ve discussed. Tune in to hear more about what you can do to make a greener home. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• How energy-intensive it is to heat our homes.
• Exploring the problems associated with energy use.
• What it means to create a green home.
• The factors that impact which green options you should pursue.
• Some of the best alternatives available to heat your home.
• Looking at excellent but less optimal heating systems.
• Getting your electricity from less environmentally damaging sources. 
• How you should heat your home with wood burners. 
• The one-star option; using boilers and gas furnaces.
• Hear which heating options we should always avoid.
• I summarize the solutions for finding the right home heating system.

Key Messages:

1. Green means being concerned with more than just carbon emissions. 
2. Passive and active solar as your 5-star solutions to home heating.
3. Using air-to-air or geothermal heat pumps as your next best solution.
4. Your 3-star solution; generating heat from low-emitting electricity sources.
5. Burning wood in masonry or finished stoves as your 2-star solution. 
6. Using high-efficiency gas furnaces and boilers as your ‘least bad’ option. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Kristina Hunter Flourishing

Energy Information Administration: Home Heating

Green Home Guide

Sustainable Wellbeing Starter Kit

The Unexpected Gift Box