Heating System Options For Your Home

It is no secret that home heating costs have skyrocketed within the past decade. While no one can accurately predict how high the cost of heating fuel and energy will climb, it is a good bet that it will steadily increase as time goes on. Instead of fighting the energy and fuel companies, it would be wise to choose a heating system that can efficiently warm your house without costing you excess money.

Natural gas and propane heating systems provide odorless, clean heat. While the price of fuel seems to ride a rollercoaster, a modern and efficient furnace can effectively utilize the high-priced fuel in order to give you a great deal of warmth with very little energy spent. Modern gas furnaces vent directly outdoors, eliminating the need for a chimney.

Oil is another traditional home heating fuel. Home fuel oil provides good energy content with efficiency ratings of up to 85% with up-to-date equipment. If you are installing a new oil furnace in your house after having used a different method of home heating, you will need to install a stainless steel liner in your chimney. Older model oil furnaces can be retrofitted to run more efficiently by installing a flame retention head. Annual inspections and maintenance will also keep an older oil furnace running properly and not unnecessarily running too hard. Oil can also be used to heat hot water tanks and can be used for in-floor heating. Again, the cost of oil is unpredictable and you will need to have a storage tank located somewhere on your property, close to the house. Oil furnaces typically will last longer than a natural gas furnace, and are priced significantly lower.

Electric furnaces run the most efficiently. No electricity or energy is lost in turning energy into heat. However, using electricity is not as environmentally friendly as it may sound. Your electricity may be generated at a coal-burning power plant. Furthermore, an electric furnace requires the use of a heat pump, which can be very costly to have installed and electric heat pumps have a tendency to need replacement sooner than their natural gas or oil counterparts.

Wood is always an option, and for many older homes or homes in largely wooded areas, wood is the first source of heat. While wood is the cheapest heating option, it is not always best. Wood smoke can be dangerous if it is leaked into your home. Installing a high-efficiency wood burning stove or fireplace will ensure that you are safe from smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide. However, modern wood burning units are very expensive, not to mention the cost of wood or the time spent chopping wood. You'll also need plenty of space to store your wood to be sure you have enough for the cold season.

No matter what option you choose to have heat your home, make sure your doors and windows are sealed properly and your home is well insulated. A well insulated home will block out the cold air and keep your heat inside longer. Be sure to set your thermostat at a comfortable temperature without having to over run your furnace. Leave your temperature set without too much variation in order to keep your unit running efficiently and saving you money on your energy bills.

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A Heat Pump For Your Home Heating Needs

If your home has a heat pump as its primary heating unit, you need to know how it works and how to properly maintain it. Heat pumps are great heating systems at most temperatures. The more extreme the temperature, however, the more this type of unit struggles to maintain a comfortable level of warmth. Knowing what your options are, and what each is capable of, will help you decide on a home or a furnace unit that is right for you.

Heat pumps work by absorbing warmth from one place and then transferring it to another. Conversely, it absorbs heat from the home and transfers it outside when running in air conditioner mode. This type of heating option works most efficiently between 40 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It then becomes more difficult for to transfer warmth when the outside temperature is colder or more extreme, and tougher to absorb warmth when the temperature is too hot. Older heat pumps may even have a more narrow temperature range of optimum performance, especially if they have not been properly maintained.

It is also important to choose a heat pump that is the right size for your home. Larger does not necessarily mean better. In fact, a system that is too large for your home will not run properly, shutting off too early and not removing humidity from the air. The excess moisture can lead to mold growth and other problems. On the other hand, a heat pump that is too small will have to work harder in order to heat or cool your entire house, running longer and costing you more money in utility bills.

Operating your heat pump is comparable to operating any forced air HVAC unit. The recommended thermostat setting for a home equipped with this type of heating is 68 degrees Fahrenheit in winter and 78 degrees Fahrenheit in summer. Keeping your thermostat set at or around these temperatures, depending on the season, will ensure that your heat pump is running at maximum efficiency all year round.

The most important thing to remember about maintenance for any type of heating system is to change the air filter regularly. Usually once every month to two months, depending on the type of filter you use. If you have pets or a lot of dust in your home, you may need to change the filter more often. Remember to have a furnace inspection at least once per year, usually before the winter months, to fix any issues and make sure your HVAC system is operating correctly. Having a professional HVAC service person perform this inspection is important and will ensure comfortable temperatures in your home, and ensure your climate control system is running at the maximum efficiency.

Choose the heating and cooling system that is right for you and the climate in which you live. Heat pumps are a great choice for those who live in a warm weather climate. When well maintained and properly installed, they can provide your home with energy efficient warmth or air conditioning for many years.

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