Heating alternatives available today prove there’s more than one way to stay comfortable in winter. While most people still opt for a conventional gas-fired furnace, sometimes it’s not a perfect fit for all purposes. Some homeowners want to depend on alternate energy sources, for example, while others feel that conventional forced-air isn’t the method they prefer.
Here are some heating alternatives that expand your options for a pleasant, healthy indoor environment:
Geothermal
No matter how chilly it gets up here on the surface, only a few feet underground the temperature remains stable at about 55 degrees year-round. This fact of nature, combined with the technology to harvest underground heat and concentrate it means you can heat your home with the warmth of the earth for only the modest operating cost of a heat pump. There’s no fuel consumed on-site and geothermal can also switch functions and operate as an energy-efficient air conditioner in summer. The underground heat collector can be installed horizontally a few feet underground—this requires substantial open space—or in a deep vertical well that has a very small footprint.
Radiant Floor
Radiant heat suffuses individual rooms with gentle warmth that is very consistent. It requires a water heater—usually natural gas-fired—plus a grid of tubing to circulate that water, installed beneath the flooring of the room. A radiant system eliminates the drawbacks of forced-air heating in a given room. Air quality is improved and hot/cold temperature swings that typically accompany furnace cycles are a thing of the past. It’s a fairly labor-intensive process to install, however, best accomplished when you’re already doing some renovation or remodeling.
Hydronic Baseboard Heater
Another option that utilizes heated water, these units mount externally around the baseboard of a room. Warmth produced by the circulating hot water naturally rises into the room without blowing forced air. The standout advantage of hydronic baseboard heat over a radiant floor is that installation is far less intensive and requires no dismantling of the floor or other structure.
Providing efficient, effective heating alternatives since 1922, contact Paitson Bros. for workable solutions to keep your home comfortable this winter.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Terre Haute, Indiana about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about heating and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 812-645-6859.
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Jeff Paitson is a third generation business owner who continues to run the business with the same values that have been passed down from previous generations since 1922.
Jeff’s belief is that the business belongs to Jesus Christ; therefore 10 percent of the company’s profits go toward the Maryland Community Church.
Jeff is a Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce member and in his spare time, he enjoys 
Ethan Rayburn is a lifelong resident of Terre Haute and a 2005 graduate of Purdue University.
An Eagle Scout, Ethan spent four years as a non-profit executive with the Boy Scouts of America before joining Paitson Bros. as a comfort advisor and later General Manager. In that role, Ethan has brought a renewed enthusiasm for customer care, integrity, value, and service to Paitson Bros. Heating & Air Conditioning.
Ethan enjoys singing and was a member of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club. He also enjoys playing and coaching soccer, spending time with his family and two young boys, and volunteering his time and resources with his church, Terre Haute First Baptist Church, which he has attended from a very young age.
Paitson Bros
1 (812) 232-2347
Serving the Wabash Valley, IN Area Since 1922