Most of us, and especially those of us who live in warmer climates, where the heating system is not used for much of the year, tend to take our home heating systems for granted. But when it gets cool outside and we want to warm our homes, we expect to turn the heat on and have the warm air start circulating. Most often that is what does happen, but in case it doesn’t, or if you are planning a new system in a new home, it is good to know something about the basics of home furnaces.
n
Traditionally furnaces have used gas and heating oil, but now we have more and more types of alternatively fueled furnaces on the market. You may be amazed at the variety of fuels available. Furnace fuels include shelled corn, fruit pits, and a variety of pellets produced from manufacturing waste. Cardboard pellets are available, as well as wood pellets. It is a good thing to avoid waste and get use out of what used to be trash. But your heating system needs to be practical for you and for the area you live in. For reliable advice, call on your local heating contractor for an assessment of your heating needs.