The Advantages of Zone Heating over Central HeatingBy JHCadmin, January 11, 2010 I visited a friend last week and commented on how warm and toasty her house felt.“We just got a new pellet stove,” she explained. We were able to turn off our gas furnace because the pellet stove and our propane stove heat our entire house for about $2-4 per day.”It’s true; converting from a central heating system (in which you heat your entire home to the same temperature) to zone heating (in which you heat a portion of your home), saves most people an average of 20-30 percent in energy costs. Heating your entire home all day, every day isn’t the best economic choice, especially here in the Puget Sound area, where temperatures are mild and you generally don’t have to worry about the possibility of freezing pipes.And keeping bedrooms you use only at night warm all day is like throwing money into your furnace and burning it up.Zone heating makes a lot of sense, because you can heat your main living space – such as your family room, living room, and eating area – with a medium- or large-size wood or pellet stove. The Astoria pellet stove pictured above (from Avalon) heats up to 2,250 square feet and provides 68 hours of continuous heat without refueling. You can install a small stove in your sleeping area and light it in the early evening to achieve an overnight burn.Pictured at left is the Newport pellet stove (also from Avalon), a compact stove designed to heat up to 1,600 square feet. Stoves like the Newport are ideal for condos, mobile homes, bedrooms, alcoves, and basement family rooms.Zone heating systems such as gas stoves, fireplaces, and fireplace inserts are built out of ceramic and lightweight steel components that heat up quickly and maintain specific temperatures in minutes.Some stoves even include cooktops and warming areas, so if your home does lose power, you can cook and stay warm!At Rich’s we have a full line of pellet stoves, wood-burning stoves, gas stoves, fireplaces and fireplace inserts... you can get one for every room in your home. Come on in to one of our five Puget Sound showrooms and warm up.Here are two informational videos on zone heating from our friends at Travis Industries (manufacturer of Avalon, Lopi, and FPX brands): Zone Heating from Travis Industries on Vimeo. This video explains the benefits of zone heating: Chapter 8 from Travis Industries on Vimeo.Recent Articles See All 7 Must-Have Hot Tub and Swim Spa Features Hot Tubs and Swim Spas Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:March 1, 2023 An effective and enjoyable way to get pain relief is in a hydrotherapy spa or swim spa. Powerful jets alleviate body aches, while the buoyancy from the water takes pressure off joints. Read More Rich's New Tigard, Oregon Store: A Chat with Manager Rick Campbell General Articles Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:February 1, 2023 Meet Tigard, Oregon store manager, Rick Campbell, who has been in the hot tub/patio/BBQ business more than 25 years in the Portland metro area. Read More Grill Islands - Easily Create an Outdoor Kitchen in Your Backyard Grills Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:January 2, 2023 Grill islands: Modular outdoor kitchens with grill(s), workspace, fridge, storage, and more. Read More Tartan and Sparkle Holiday Mantel - DIY Tutorial Mantel Decor Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:December 3, 2022 Step-by-step tutorial for your holiday mantel: How to create a classic tartan design. Read More DIY Winter Mantel Décor Tutorials: Golden Magnolia Wreath and Cinnamon Stick Votive Holder Mantel Decor Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:December 2, 2022 DIY Holiday Mantel Decor tutorial: Golden Magnolia wreath and cinnamon stick votive holder. Read More How to Transform Your Mantel to a Winter Wonderland Design Mantel Decor Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:December 1, 2022 We show you how to transform your fall mantel decor to a winter wonderland design easily and quickly! Check out our 15-sec time-lapse photo that shows us making the switcheroo. Read More