When the weather gets cooler, homeowners want to know that their home’s heater will keep them and their families warm. If you plan to purchase a new heating system or upgrade your old one, learning about the different types of home heating will help you make the best choice for your house. See the different heating systems available below before calling your local professional furnace service technicians in Oakland Park, FL.
How to Choose the Right Heating System
Before choosing which heating system to use, understand that many factors affect which one works best for you. Some things to consider before installing a heating system include:
What Heating System Works Best for Your Home?
Most homeowners want their house’s heat to distribute evenly throughout their home, keeping each room around the same temperature as the others. A new heater sounds great in theory, but understanding how it heats your home and what system proves most effective takes some consideration. Take these items into account when thinking about heating your home:
- How many rooms do I have?
- Do I keep certain rooms closed off?
- Do I have an open or closed floor plan?
Will You Separate the Cooling System?
Many heating systems exist separately from your air conditioning, but if you want to run both systems through the same air ducts, your heating system choices may have limitations.
How Much Can You Invest in a New Heating System?
Choosing a new heating system based on cost doesn’t end with the unit’s price tag. You also should consider installation costs and start-up prices if you have to change fuel sources with your county’s utility board.
What Other Costs Are Involved in a New Heating System?
Besides the cost of installing and starting up your new system, you should also consider the following:
- Maintenance costs
- Replacement part prices
- Operation expenses
Types of Home Heating Systems
Now that you’ve got a better idea of your home’s heating requirements, choose which type of home heating system works best for you.
1. Furnaces
Furnaces heat air and blow it through your home via an air duct system. Residential furnaces may last as long as 30 years before they need replacing, so practice routine maintenance to keep your furnace functional and productive. You can power a furnace with fuel oil (also called heating oil), electricity, propane, or natural gas.
Using a furnace to heat your home typically requires a low initial investment of between $3,000 and $8,000 and doesn’t use much energy to run. Electric furnaces cost less than gas furnaces but have a higher operational cost. Some homeowners choose a different heating system because of a noisy blower fan, though these sounds may indicate the need for simple repairs.
2. Boilers
Boilers function similarly to furnaces. They heat water, creating steam that then courses through your home. While boilers can use the same fuel sources as furnaces, they can also run off biodiesel if that’s your preference. With proper maintenance, your boiler may last as long as 30 years.
The national average for new boiler installation hovers around $8,000, depending on the size and type of boiler you install. Boilers also require you to keep the water at a particular temperature to discourage frozen pipes.
3. Heat Pumps
While some heat pumps use electricity, others transfer heat from underground geothermal energy. Homeowners looking for types of home heating systems that won’t hurt the environment often opt for geothermal heat pumps. These pumps pull heat from the air around them to keep your home warm.
Heat pumps allow homeowners to use them as part of the air conditioning system since they can also transfer heat out of your home. Depending on the size and type of heat pump you choose, installation costs range between $5,000 and $13,000.
4. Electric Heating
While gas heat uses combustion to provide warm air, electric heating uses electricity to heat burners that give off warmth. Electric heaters can last well over 20 years without needing replacement, and keeping your system on a regular maintenance schedule can help you avoid potential repairs or issues. Equipment for electric heating costs less than most heating types, costing anywhere from $900 to $6,000, depending on your needs.
Many homeowners prefer electric heating over gas because the up-front investment and maintenance costs are less. However, over time, gas heat gives you a lower utility bill than electric heating.
5. Solar Heating
Drawing energy from the sun, your solar heating system heats the solar collector, which can use heat at that moment or store it away for the future. Solar heating systems have a long life expectancy, lasting over 20 years before needing an upgrade. Over time, homeowners using solar heating see a drop in their utility bills.
Because solar heating systems may run out of stored heat before building up more, many homeowners invest in a secondary system as a backup. With the cost of solar heating installation ranging from $3,000 to $6,000, the initial investment runs higher than other heating systems.
Heat Distribution
Moving heat around your home helps you and your loved ones stay comfortable anywhere in the house. Different heat distribution methods include:
Forced Air
Also known as central air, forced air distribution uses ductwork and vents to push heated or cooled air throughout your house.
Boiler Plumbing
Instead of air ducts, your home has a pipe system through which water or steam moves to heat the surrounding air.
Ductless Mini-Splits
Mini-split units control the temperature in certain rooms or areas of your home and require no air ducts.
Radiant Heating
Heated water or air moves through special tubes installed in your walls, floors, or ceilings and radiates heat into your house.
Heat Your Home with the Pros at Cool By Design
If you need help determining which types of home heating systems work best in your home, call the professionals at 954-900-1098. We offer everything from air conditioning maintenance to heat pump installation services in Oakland Park, FL.
