[Greenbuilding] Sustainable Home Heating Systems

[Ross MacLeod]

I am looking at retrofitting a home in Eastern Canada to be more energy
efficient, and to employ a more sustainable heating system.  I am addressing
the 'envelop' first but there are practical limits to how efficient I can
make it in the short term.

Given climate, cost, and reliability issues with the future use of Natural
gas to heat homes, and the critical nature of heating in a cold environment
like ours, I am looking for a reliable long term source of space and water
heating.   I am planning to use solar thermal to be the primary source of
water heating, but debating the short and long term benefits of high
efficiency wood stoves versus biomass pellet stoves for space heating.

On the positive side of biomass pellet stoves:

   - they can burn pellets made from various biomass materials including;
   wood, switchgrass, corn ... so that you should have a reliable supply over
   time
   - the fuel is very cost effective today, and compares favourably with
   other sources (superior to wood stoves)
   - they are environmentally friendly

On the negative side:

   - today the fuelling process is not very convenient and requires
   frequent refills during the depths of winter
   - relatively high maintenance due to chinking
   - requires electricity to operate the augers and fans that are
   essential for it to work.   As a result, they are generally not as reliable
   as wood stoves

Does anyone have any related insights, or knowledge of recent innovations
that might influence the outcome of my assessment?