Does it cost a fortune to heat your home? If you said yes, it’s worth noting that there are cheaper options. Check out these different ways to heat your home and how to go about installing these options.

Natural Gas Furnace

A natural gas furnace is a great alternative to oil furnaces. In fact, when oil prices rose years ago, the government started giving out rebates to encourage homeowners to switch to natural gas furnaces. If you’re installing a new unit, you may face the extra cost of installing ductwork and gas lines. However, since natural gas is comparatively less expensive, it pays off in the form of lower utility bills since gas is more efficient than oil. This makes the investment well worth it.

While the initial costs may be high, it doesn’t have to drain all your savings. The average homeowner spends between $2,817 and $4,027 to install a new furnace, says HomeAdvisor. But what about labor costs? You can further save money by doing some or all of the installation yourself.

If this is your first gas furnace, you’ll need to hire a professional to install the gas lines and the ductwork if you’re unable. Once that work is done, check out these tips on how to install your gas furnace on your own. Make sure that you check your area’s requirements first as you may need a licensed installer to replace your gas furnace.

Electric Furnace

If you’re in desperate need of heat now and don’t have a lot of money to spend on a new furnace system, an electric furnace is a solid option. That’s because the units are small and inexpensive. They’re also a good alternative for people who can’t get gas lines to their house. Plus, there’s no fuel consumption involved with electric furnaces. As an added perk, they last a good 15 to 20 years.

On the downside, electric furnaces aren’t quite as efficient as other options and can drive up your utility bill. However, some electric furnaces will run more efficiently than others. That may mean higher initial costs, but it will keep your electric bill down. Learn how to install your electric furnace here.

Wood Stove

The cost to install a wood stove will usually fall somewhere between the initial cost of an electric furnace and a natural gas furnace. However, if you own some land with trees on it and are willing to put in the work, the cost of fuel could be almost nothing. But this isn’t an option for most people. If you choose to buy wood for the winter, the prices are pretty competitive with those of natural gas, although the market will always vary.

If you’re focused on efficiency, then a newer pellet stove is a great option, especially for green-conscious customers. For one, the pellets are made from reclaimed sawdust at sawmills, lumber yards, and factories. That means you’re putting sawdust to good use instead of letting it get thrown away. What’s more, the pellets are a source of renewable energy where natural gas is not. Plus, pellet heat is available everywhere — assuming you can get your hands on the pellets, which shouldn’t be difficult — whereas natural gas is not available to everyone.

Installing a wood stove or pellet stove can be as simple as connecting the stove pipe to your existing chimney. If you don’t already have a chimney in your house, it’s worth calling a professional. You’ll also want to make sure that you have protection in place against the floor and walls so you don’t start a house fire.

Solar Panels

Solar panels are another renewable heat source; they are great for people who want to go green and live off the grid. While the initial price is high — usually tens of thousands of dollars depending on how many panels that you install — the rebates and tax breaks that you can get from the government can help reduce those initial costs. While you may have some upkeep costs, your utility bill will likely decrease, meaning that solar panels can really pay off. The website diynetwork.com can help you learn how to install solar panels. And read more about solar space heating here.

What’s your preferred method of heating homes?

Hailey is a recent graduate with a degree in Journalism. Now that she isn’t face first in books she is trying to travel as much as she can. She writes in her free time between fixing up her new house and teaching people how to live a longer, healthier life.