For the average American homeowner, heating costs are responsible for over 16 percent of their monthly energy bill. Many are exploring the various home heating options in search of which setup is most suitable for their household. There are several different sufficient heating systems available in the United States, and each setup has it’s own pros and cons. By examining each option carefully and analyzing the associated benefits and downfalls, choosing the proper heating system for your home should be a much more effortless task.
Geothermal Heating Systems
Geothermal systems are the newest home heating systems available for installation. Many compare the way geothermal systems work to a reverse refrigerator, reflecting on how they are able to distribute heat from a singular source to a totally different location. A ground loop system can also be installed where the heat is successfully transported through a ground loop pipe installed by a professional.
This heating option is ideal for any climate, and the savings are definitely a huge plus as well. Those who heat their homes through geothermal systems are said to save up to 30 to 70 percent on their heating costs, and up to 20 to 50 percent on their cooling costs.
Central Furnaces
This is the most popular type of home heating system across North America. Central furnace heating systems blow warm air through special ducts into the various rooms in your home. The air is usually passed through an opening referred to as a register or grill, and it is then circulated through each room. These systems can be powered through electricity, natural gas, and even oil fuel.
Although newer installations are said to be much less wasteful, even energy efficient central furnace systems only save up to four percent in total energy costs.
Boilers
Boiler systems are yet another traditional heating setup that can be found among many North American homes. These heating systems work by utilizing a boiler fueled by natural gas or oil fuel to heat up the water that is enclosed in the boiler. The water or steam from the boiler then exits through pipes into baseboards, radiators, or floor pipes.
These systems are signaled to power up when a home’s default temperature isn’t met. Once the thermostat reads below the defaulted temperature, a signal is sent to the boiler system in order to start up the heating process again.
Heat Pumps
If your home is located in a mild to moderate climate, a heat pump may be a good choice. Heating pumps have the ability to take warm air from the outside, and circulate it into your home. These systems are able to transform cool air from outside into warmer air for your home as well. Since these systems redirect heat as opposed to generating it, they typically save homeowners up to 30 to 40 percent on their electric bills.
These systems tend to not do as well in extreme climates, because while their redirecting process is effective to an extent, it is not necessarily a reliable heating and cooling option for severe weather conditions.
Finding the most appropriate heating system for your home could not only provide you with more savings, but it could also keep you much warmer this season. The most energy efficient options vary depending on climate and construction, so shopping around for heating systems that are most ideal for your home’s heating needs is both practical and necessary.
Charlie Teschner started MESA Heating in 1982. Charlie has a journeyman and master plumber’s license. He was raised with a strong work ethic and he now applies those values to tasks such as Longmont, CO heating repair.