One of the most challenging decisions when renovating, building, or buying a new home is whether to keep the heating system currently installed or replace it with something new and more efficient. You will likely narrow your choices to an electric heat pump, a boiler, or a traditional furnace.
Heat pumps work in the same system as your air conditioning in the summer but reverses to provide heat in the winter months for your home. If you are considering a heat pump for your home, look for high seasonal efficiency systems (HSPF), as the higher the HSPF rating, the lower your costs for heating will be throughout the year. These systems are some of the most energy-efficient of all the electric heating system options. They will have comparable operating costs to gas furnaces.
When selecting a heating system for your home or business, gas furnaces are one option. Furnaces generally have between a 78% and 96% Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), which measures how efficient the heating system can be throughout the year. Picking the right AFUE as the needed efficiency depends on your climate and how you use your heating system when required.
The third popular option for heating systems is a boiler. You can include many options with your boiler to help keep your costs low, such as efficient controls that can adjust your boiler temperature based on the outdoor temperature. New versions of boilers must have at least an 80% AFUE, so you are sure to get a relatively efficient system if you choose to install a boiler within your home.
There are many solid options to choose from when you are looking for a heating system, so do your research or talk to the experts at Beckwith Heating and Cooling to decide the right one for your needs!