Heating and cooling

Heating with electricity

Heat up your home efficiently and affordably in Quebec with the electric thermal storage heating system grant!

The LogisVert programme by Hydro Quebec encourages the adoption of electric heat storage systems with a special grant, which are an effective way of conserving energy for home heating, reducing the costs and problems associated with electric heating. Electric heating is the best option in Quebec . The downside…

Heating with gas and oil

Natural gas vs propane, what is the difference and which is less harmful?

While electric powered homes, using high efficiency heat pumps and heat pump water heaters are the preferred option for green homes, if your home is too far from the natural gas supply or it's mobile home or tiny house, propane may be the only option. While Ecohome is a firm advocate of decarbonizing homes by the…

Heat pumps, geothermal and AC

Air source heat pumps vs. geothermal heating: which is better for your home?

Discover the key differences and factors to consider when choosing between Geothermal heating systems and Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) for your home. Geothermal vs. ASHPs - what's the difference? Heating and cooling systems play a crucial role in maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures in homes everywhere…

Heating and cooling

Do heat pumps need a backup heat source?

Heat pumps are still perceived as a new concept to many homeowners in the US and Canada and as they've improved considerably in performance over the years there are many misconceptions about heat pumps needing backup heating. Ecohome investigates. Having a backup heat source that can operate without electricity…

Heating with gas and oil

Still cooking with gas? How to reduce the risk of asthma and cancer.

Even when turned off, gas stoves & cooktops can be dangerous - leaking harmful chemicals like nitrogen dioxide, methane & cancer-causing benzine into homes. Over 40 million US & Canadian households can mitigate or eliminate the risks from cooking with gas. Gas stoves - playing with fire? Fossil gas stoves and gas…

Heating and cooling

How to troubleshoot a furnace that won’t work.

There is little more unnerving that losing heat in our homes during winter. Having a reliable heating system, and even a backup heating system, can help you rest easier at night so if your furnace isn't working, try this. There are a few things that will cause any furnace to either stop running, or only deliver cold…

Heating with gas and oil

Why natural gas is Being phased out of new home construction (and When?)

Natural gas for heating & cooking in homes is so convenient & relatively affordable - so why have governments & local cities across North America & Europe taken the radical decision to phase it out, & when is natural gas going to be banned. So why is natural gas being phased out? Natural gas is being phased out of…

Heating and cooling

Fixing noisy baseboard heaters, how to stop that clicking easily!

One of the questions we're often asked is about noisy baseboard heaters. They click, they bang, they tick, tick, tick constantly, and most of all, electric baseboard heaters or hot water heated baseboard heaters keep people awake. So, how to fix that. Noisy baseboard heaters -yeah, it's a thing... Over the years…

Wood stove and biomass heat

Wood combustion – How firewood burns & how to get the best heat while being eco-friendly

Wood Combustion – how firewood burns, the stages and processes, & how to get the best heat for your $ while being eco-friendly. Understanding how firewood burns, the technical details Stage 1: The evaporation of moisture – otherwise known as “getting the d@mn thing going” If you’ve ever tried to burn wet or…

Delivery: radiant, forced-air and decentralized

Design and construction of frost-protected shallow foundations with radiant heat

Building our Frost Protected Shallow Foundation slab on grade with Solar radiant floor heating powered by air tubes heated with air solar panels for our demo house - Ingenious! Ideal for boosting Passive House heating in cold climate zones. Why build a frost protected shallow foundation using prefabricated foam…

Wood stove and biomass heat

Choosing the best wood-burning fireplace inserts or stoves for heat output & the environment

Making sense of the best wood burning fireplace inserts and wood stove specifications and knowing how to choose the best one for you if you're looking to burn wood for minimum environmental impact & maximum heat output is easy with our guide. Wood Burning Inserts & Stoves - which are best & which burn cleanest…