Heating Your Home In Steamboat Springs-With the variety of available homes in Steamboat Springs and the large daily temperature swings we experience, it is no surprise that the options for HOW to heat your home are extensive as well. According to USClimatedata.com, the average temperature swings in Steamboat in January can be as low as 3.1 degrees F or as high as 27.7 degree F, which is a pretty significant change in a 24-hour period, requiring residents to wear layers and have access to good, working, on-demand heating sources.
From gas fireplaces, to wood burning stoves, to radiant floor heat, and solar panels, Steamboat Springs’ homes are the perfect setting for all of these different heating options.
Gas Fireplaces
In addition to providing a cozy environment to warm-up by after a day on the slopes or outdoor winter activities, a gas fireplace provides an efficient way to heat your home and remains one of the most common choices in mountain towns. With the click of a button, you can safely provide an in-home heat source for your post-snow day. Modern gas fireplaces are quick to heat and the contained heat source is a safe way to heat your living room, bedroom, or great room.
With multiple repair service providers and installers available in Steamboat Springs, there are a variety of options for how to choose to heat your home this way.
Wood Burning Stoves
A wood- burning stove is a heating appliance capable of burning wood fuel and wood-derived biomass fuel, such as wood pellets. Generally the appliance consists of a solid metal, such as cast iron or steel, closed fire chamber, a fire- brick base and an adjustable air control.
There are a few differences between a wood- burning stove and gas fireplace. First, a wood-burning stoves requires seasoned wood that will burn and give off the most heat and the least amount of creosote, so while we have ample access to wood in Steamboat, this is harder in suburban areas. Also, a wood-burning fireplace needs to be cleaned after each use once the ashes have cooled so some folks prefer the ease of just being able to push a button and have on-demand heat when wanted that comes with a gas fireplace.
Radiant Floor Heat
Radiant heating systems supply heat directly to the floor or panels in the walls or ceiling of a house. The systems depend largely on radiant heat transfer, which delivers heat directly from the hot surface to the people and objects in the room via infrared radiation. Common in mountain towns, such as Steamboat Springs, many homes have heated floors in mudrooms and entryways in order to help quickly and safely dry out boots, coats, and ski gear in the colder months.
With hot coils placed directly under the vinyl or tile flooring, entryways are quick to heat up while remaining safe enough to walk on barefoot without burning the sole of your feet. Heated floors are highly in-demand in Steamboat Springs’ homes.
Solar Panels and Home in Steamboat Springs
A photovoltaic (PV) solar energy system is composed of solar panels, racking for mounting the panels on the roof, electrical wiring, and an inverter. From sunrise to sunset, the solar panels generate direct current electricity (DC), which is sent to the inverter.
The inverter converts the DC into alternating current (AC), the type of electricity required for household use, and the AC power is delivered directly to your home’s main electrical service panel for use by you and your family.
Your current monthly energy use and the size of your system will determine your actual savings amount, but with little or no start up costs, systems can start paying for themselves almost immediately, making them an economical way to both run electricity to your home and heat it.
Savings will vary based on several factors: including the size of your system, performance, your household’s average energy use, as well as any applicable solar credits, tax incentives, and current solar energy buyback (net metering) rates offered by your utility company.
Work began in Steamboat Springs last August (2016) to build a solar array to power low-income housing. For long-term benefits, solar panels are the future trend for powering and heating your home.
With cold temperatures and extensive snowfall occurring more than 6 months out of the year in Steamboat Springs, it is reassuring to have multiple heating options for your home.