Solid Fuel Heating
Solid fuel heating is the oldest form of heating in the world and in most instances is used to refer to the burning of fuel in stoves or open fires. Solid fuel itself usually takes the form of coal or wood and there is no reliance on an electricity or gas supply so solid fuel solutions will keep on working as long as you have ample supplies of the fuel itself.
Solid fuel heating can be used as part of a central heating system to provide heating for the whole of your house. Usually a solid fuel stove, burning coal, wood or in some cases peat, will heat a tank of hot water. This water can then be pumped around your home to provide heating via radiators. The most energy efficient solid fuel heating systems will use a stove. Any solid fuel heating system which uses open fires is extremely inefficient as much of the heat is lost through the flue system.
It is even possible to integrate a solid fuel heating system into a natural gas or electric alternative in a linked set up. In this case you can use the gas or electric system as a stop gap which will heat your home until the solid fuel has reached an appropriate temperature. At this point the primary system will turn off, allowing the solid fuel system to heat your home until the fires die down and the primary system can kick in again.
The environmental impact of solid fuel heating can vary, but well managed closed stove systems can be efficient. Fuel need only be bought when it is needed and there is an undeniable ambiance afforded by a solid fuel system which other central heating alternatives lack.