According to one of the most recent surveys (2012) on heating systems usage in Pakistan, around 20% actually use gas heaters. Around 40 million people will be near a gas heater this winter. These systems do their job very well but also can be problematic. Considering this, there are a few things that the general public should take into consideration:
If you have or are considering to buy a gas heater, then this article is for you. They are excellent devices, but need regular maintenance and proper use. Here we also present a short list of alternative systems for heating during the winter.
If you are looking for alternatives to gas heaters, here are some really good options:
This method consists on taking advantage of the naturally higher temperature of certain places´s soil or underground water. Cool air enters into a device connected to a series of pipes that carry a circulating solution that collects the heat from the ground or water and transfers it to the air. These systems are more expensive than gas heaters. They depend on how hot or cold are the spaces underneath your house, but are much safer.
This method consists on taking advantage of the naturally higher temperature of certain places´s soil or underground water. Cool air enters into a device connected to a series of pipes that carry a circulating solution that collects the heat from the ground or water and transfers it to the air. These systems are more expensive than gas heaters. They depend on how hot or cold are the spaces underneath your house, but are much safer.
Pakistan does have the geological characteristics to make this type of heating a very realistic option; however, the necessary infrastructure is still under development.
These systems are cheaper and produce more heat in less time than gas heater. The oil they burn doesn’t need to be very specific. some people use homemade oil. The commercial type is not that expensive. The main disadvantage they have compared to gas heaters is that they are less efficient, meaning that the amount of fuel converted to heat is at most 80%, the rest is lost, gas heaters usually convert 90% or more of their fuel into heat.
These are a modern approach to the classic wooden stoves. Basically, these burn highly compressed wood or special biomass pellets. This creates a constant flame that can be used to heat an entire house.. At the moment, this alternative is among the most “green” in the sense that it uses renewable energy, plus, the cost of the equipment and installation is lower than for other systems. The main problem here is maintenance, these stoves require a lot of attention, which creates inconvenients.
For winter, the only practical form of solar heating is the type that employs solar collectors (panels).. These can work with water or air, can provide energy to the house and are eco-friendly; however, they are not as efficient or powerful as the other alternatives and is rare even in wealthy countries.
This system can be powered by electricity or a boiler. It lies underneath the floor while transfering heat to it. Is perfect for those with allergies since no air is being pumped constantly, they also are known to be very efficient (low energy waste). The main problem with under-floor heating is the installation, is expensive and complicated.
They are the exact opposite of air conditioners. These systems use electricity to move heat from one area (usually outdoors) to another (indoors). The problem is that they consume a lot of energy. Also, don’t work very well if the outside temperature is too low (some do but they still have operational limits) and need to be used under very particular conditions.
They are a less advanced version of the pellet stoves. They use normal wood as fuel and tend to be a lot cheaper. these burners can heat an entire house if used correctly and can heat both air and water. One of the primary inconvenients is the fact that only dry wood is usable, which means that you need to store enough for the entire winter.
The main appeal of these is that they are small and cheap, but they will increase your electric bill by a lot, most won’t heat large spaces (you’ll need to buy several for a big house) and many come with unreliable thermostats.
Gas heaters are not bad systems or inherently dangerous, but they need to be used correctly and replaced or properly repaired when they break down. The main consequence of having a malfunctioning gas heater in your home is exposition to 2 toxic gases (carbon monoxide and and Nitrogen dioxide). Note: Please check this page to identify problems with your gas heater.
As we mentioned before, if you follow some basic recommendations then gas heater are a perfectly safe option. Pakistan at the moment is going through a particular period in which natural gas remains as an important energy source but its reserves are starting to decline. For now, the use of gas heaters during the winter makes sense but still, some alternatives should be considered by the population in case of and increase in cost or gas shortage.