Space Heating
Here are some ideas to keep your space warm.
electric heaters;   wood stoves & pellet stoves;   propane and natural gas;   passive solar;
radiant floors;   insulation;   extra clothes;   structural design;   doors, curtains and space dividers

RANDOM SUGGESTIONS

a)  Double entries, such as mud rooms, help prevent cold air from outside from entering directly into the warm spaces.
b)  Divide structures or rooms into clusters that can be isolated and heated individually, rather than heating an entire space.
c)  Examine recirculating warm air and basic air flow patterns.  Where is the warm air currently going?  Consider designing halls, rooms, light chimneys, staircases, etc. with the thought of guiding the warm air to desired locations.  Ceiling fans are simple and effective.  Also play with air flow by positioning things that open and close in strategic locations.
d) Employ thick walls and ceilings, and insulate the sub-flooring.  Use ample insulation.  Imagine the insulation value of, for example, straw bale construction, earth burming, or super-insulation.  Pure human body heat could be enough to satisfactorily heat a well-insulated space.
e) The prime external heating source ideally would be the sun.  How can passive solar heat most effectively be employed in your space?  Use double or triple windows, greenhouses and sun rooms, trombe walls, sloped solar air troughs, eutectic systems with phase change salt, thick insulating curtains that can be drawn (automatically triggered?) when the sun disappears.
f)  Capture and retain heat with heat sinks, such as concrete floors, interiorrock walls, gravel chambers, water barrels, etc.
g)  Install radiant heat, especially radiant floors.  If possible, plumb waste water from sinks, bath, shower and laundry to pass through areas requiring heat, so that the remaining heat from the waste water is exchanged into the room before its disposal.
h)  Add a tertiary heat sources, such as a furnace, wood stove, pellet burner, sawdust burner, or electric ceramic heaters.
i)  Install filters, catalytic converters, and methods of treating smoke and particulate pollution.  Add heat exchangers.
j)  Keep a supply of extra clothes, including wool sweaters, hats, socks, gloves, etc., preferrably made of natural rather than synthetic materials, for visitors and guests.  Encourage putting on more clothes before needing to heat the space.
k) Reaclimatize yourself.  Get used to living in a space with the thermostat set a little lower.
 

BUILDING IDEAS
PASSIVE SOLAR:
burm
trombe wall
"tent" principle
light wells and light chimneys
mirrors and reflective surfaces
heat mass collectors:  concrete / rocks / water
sliding glass doors and sliding insulating curtains
basics:  dark colors, metal conductors, cloth penetration, convection currents, dead air, glass, insulation

STRUCTURAL DESIGN:
straw bale construction
log-end construction
rammed earth
lightweight concrete
house within greenhouse
burmed walls
umbracone
thatching
extruded foam
 

SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS

To view some specific products directly related to conserving power and providing efficient space heating, go to the product catalogue on this site:

http://www.krystal-planet.com/deanp
Here you will find a very efficient electric furnace, unique thermostat controls, information on solar options, plus more.