Some people are in the enviable position of being able to risk money on alternative heating systems, knowing that if they do not work they can still afford to install a new system. But for most people there is a compromise to be made between choosing a cheaper and more environmentally friendly solution and choosing something that will work. In other words, most people simply cannot afford to be too alternative.
So what we are often looking for are truly reliable alternative heating solutions - those that have been tried and tested and will meet our needs. What is good about the alternative energy market is that a lot of people have been demanding these products for a long time, so there are plenty of heating offers with a strong track record. Add to this that governments around the world are investing in renewable energy research and you can see that it should be fairly easy to find a solution that works.
Take solar heating panels. These are not now new technology. A top quality company or installer will be able to tell you straight away if there is a workable solar solution for your heating needs.
You might be pointed in a different direction - one of the most effective, efficient and reliable ways of getting energy efficient heating is via a wholesale geothermal heat pump. These go down into the ground, which means that most homes have the necessary requirements (solid earth beneath their property).
One thing that is smart to do while looking at alternatives, is to get your house in order. Get an energy audit or do one yourself. One of the smartest ways to conserve energy on heating is to insulate your home effectively!