Which Type Of Heating Is Right For You?
Posted on: 10 February 2023
Your home needs to be a haven during cold winter nights. There are many ways to heat your home, so finding the right one for you can seem overwhelming. If you would like to know more about heating solutions to better determine which is right for you, keep reading.
Forced-Air Heating
Furnaces and heat pumps use forced-air heating. The system blows heated air through a system of ducts throughout the home and expels the air via multiple vents. Forced-air heating is incredibly fast and effective at heating the home. If you already have a system of ducts, this could be a good choice.
Furnaces are more effective and can reach higher temperatures, but they use more energy than heat pumps. Heat pumps take heat from outside the house and pump it inside the house. Air-source systems pull heat from the air, but geothermal systems pull heat from the earth, making them more efficient and effective. Heat pumps can also cool the home in the summer by pumping out hot air.
Mini-Split Systems
If you don't already have ductwork, forced-air heating may not be the cost-effective choice. Adding all the necessary ducts and vents could drastically increase the cost of the project. Plus, you may not actually have enough space for ducts.
Instead, a mini-split system may be the better choice. With a mini-split system, the HVAC contractor installs various indoor units and one large outdoor unit. Tubes and wires connect the units, which take up a lot less space than ducts. Like a heat pump, mini-split systems can also be used to cool the house.
Radiant Floor Heating
Radiant floor heating can be used throughout the home, but it is commonly used as an alternative for specific rooms like the bathroom. Radiant floor heating uses heated water or electric coils to heat the floor. Electric coils are usually cheaper to install, but they use more energy and money to heat the home
This heat slowly rises to heat the rest of the room. For this reason, you get a more even heat, but it takes time to heat the house. Radiant floor heating is a poor choice if you have carpet flooring, but it is great for harder materials like tile.
If you're looking for a new heating solution, you've got a lot of options. The first step is determining your goals and needs. If you would like to know more, contact an HVAC service today.
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