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This thread is part of a bigger project working on a robust Heat Infographic.

We have had a lot of conversations with a lot of insurance people on this topic - all of whom asked to not be mentioned here.  We are attempting to document what we have learned based entirely on payout risk.  To get more information, you will need to contact your own insurer or, maybe, a few different insurers.


Electric Baseboard -  +15%

   long term power outage can cause pipes to freeze
   risk of fire with flammable materials on heater


Mini Splits -  +5%  

   long term power outage can cause pipes to freeze
   risk of temps dropping low enough that heater fails and pipes freeze


In Ground Heat Pump - cheapest  

   long term power outage can cause pipes to freeze


Central Natural Gas Furnace -   +30%    

   danger of leaks making people in the house sick or dead
   long term power outage can cause pipes to freeze
   20% of all house fires are caused by malfunctioning furnaces


Central Propane Furnace -   +30%

   danger of leaks making people in the house sick or dead
   long term power outage can cause pipes to freeze
   20% of all house fires are caused by malfunctioning furnaces


Pellet Stove -   +45%  

   long term power outage can cause pipes to freeze
       note that a few pellet stoves do not depend on electricity
   unattended heater could lead to pipes freezing
   risk of fire with flammable materials on heater
   sometimes a pellet stove feed can clog, put the fire out and cause pipes to freeze
   sometimes the fire finds its way to the pellet hopper and fills the house with smoke damage


Wood Stove -  +100%  

   40% of house fires are caused by chimney fires
   (unattended heater could lead to pipes freezing)**
   risk of fire with flammable materials on heater
   insurers typically insure only if the wood stove is a secondary heat source
   operator error leading to a claim


Modern wood stove - +100%

   40% of house fires are caused by chimney fires
   (unattended heater could lead to pipes freezing)**
   risk of fire with flammable materials on heater
   insurers typically insure only if the wood stove is a secondary heat source
   operator error leading to a claim


Masonry Heater -  -20%  

   (unattended heater could lead to pipes freezing)**
   operator error leading to a claim
   insurers typically insure only if the masonry heater is a secondary heat source
   lowest risk of all heaters when paired with an in ground heat pump*


Rocket Mass Heater -  -20%

   (unattended heater could lead to pipes freezing)**
   risk of fire with flammable materials on heater
   operator error leading to a claim
   note that for the sake of insurance, most insurers, at this time, classify rocket mass heaters as a subset of masonry heaters
   insurers typically insure only if the rocket mass heater is a secondary heat source
   lowest risk of all heaters when paired with an in ground  heat pump*


 

* = a rocket mass heater (or masonry heater) paired with an in ground heat pump could result in the lowest overall risk becuase during a power outage, a rocket mass heater can continue to provide heat - thus preventing possible frozen pipes.

** = actually, by insurance standards, this can never happen because this heater is a secondary heater and the primary heater will continue to function while the operator is away.

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It seems like a lot of emphasis has been placed on freezing pipes being a problem, but that depends on the type of pipes used in the plumbing system. Most houses today have been upgraded to pex, and that makes freezing pipes a non-issue. Sure they freeze, but then.... go back to the way they were without damage because they can expand without damage. It is not that way with copper of PVC plumbing, but few houses have that anymore.

It can be upsetting to not have running water, but a hair dryer or a cup of water warmed in the microwave can make quick work of that.

Pex has just been a real game-changer in the frozen plumbing world of late, and it would also change a lot of the die effects stated, although across the board.
 
Steve Zoma
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One type of heat that is not mentioned is wood boilers, and one thing that could be an insurance issue is a boiler not hooked to automatic start up for back up power.

That is required because with a solid fuel boiler, it has to have electricity to operate the draft and circulating pumps. Unlike with propane or oil fired boilers, it could be filled with wood, start to take off, and then suddenly the power goes out. The wood would then roar, yet the water jacket is not being replenished with cold water, and it would flash to steam. A pressure relief valve should take care of the problem, but automatic start up back up power is preferred.

But automatic start up for back up power would eliminate a lot of issues with a lot of heating systems too.
 
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