If you’re ready to upgrade your home’s heating system, you may feel stuck at a crossroads. After all, there are many different heating systems to choose from nowadays, each with its own benefits.
Deciding on the right heating system for your specific needs is a big decision. To simplify the process, we have a list of tips to help you choose the best heating system for your house. We’ll be focusing on four main topics:
- The fuel source
- The type of system
- Efficiency levels
- Your overall budget
Follow the guide below to better know how to choose the right heating system for you.
- Find the Fuel Source That Fits Your Needs
When learning how to choose the best heating system for a house in your area of Atlanta, you must first consider the fuel source. Some fuel types may be more accessible and convenient than others. For instance, you may want to consider a propane or electric heater over a gas furnace if you live in an area without access to natural gas.
Similarly, you may find that electric furnaces or ductless mini-split systems may be the most practical options since your home runs on electricity already.
- Determine Your Preferred Type of System
If you want to choose the best heating system for a house, you need to think about your preferred type of system next. Some heating systems require ducts to transport heated air throughout your home, while others are ductless. Here are four common home heating systems and how they function:
Furnaces
Furnaces are one of the most popular ways to heat a home. These systems work by blowing heated air through ducts, which is then distributed throughout your home.
There are three standard types of furnaces: gas, oil, and electric. Since there is a wide range of options available, you will likely be able to find a furnace that fits your needs. Furnaces can also share ductwork with an air conditioning system, making them an easy and convenient option for some homeowners.
Boilers
Boilers function by distributing hot water through pipes to the individual radiators in your home. There are two types of boilers: hot water boilers (which keep the hot water in a liquid form) and steam boilers (which turn the hot water into steam). Most boilers run on gas or other natural fuels.
Heat Pumps
When trying to choose the best heating system for a house, it’s also crucial to think about your other needs. If you’re looking to upgrade your heating and cooling system at the same time, you may want to consider installing a heat pump. Heat pumps can work as both a heating and cooling system!
These heating systems have indoor and outdoor units. During the winter months, a heat pump can provide heat by pumping warm air into your home, and during the summer, it can keep you cool by sending warm indoor air outdoors.
The most common types are air-source heat pumps and ground-source (geothermal) heat pumps.
Ductless Systems
If you don’t have ducts in your home—or are looking for ways to go ductless—then ductless systems may be the best choice. Mini-split heat pumps (also known as ductless heat pumps) function just like regular heat pumps but without ducts. Instead, a small pipe connects the outdoor and indoor units through the wall.
Do you want to know how to choose the right heating system? Know how many rooms you need to heat. Since mini-splits don’t utilize air ducts, you will need to install multiple indoor units to heat an entire home. One benefit of this is that you can choose which rooms in your home you wish to heat and cool, saving you money on energy costs.
- Consider the Importance of Efficiency
If you want to know how to choose the right heating system for your home, you need to consider efficiency. Why is energy efficiency important? The more energy-efficient a system is, the lower the operating costs can be.
Each heating system measures efficiency in different ways. For instance, furnaces measure energy efficiency with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. Depending on the make and fuel type, some furnaces can have an AFUE rating as high as 96 percent.
Furnaces can be categorized in three ways:
- Base Models: Operates with minimum efficiency; ideal for mild climates.
- Mid-Efficiency: Use a more efficient heat exchanger than base models.
- High-Efficiency: Use two heat exchangers; ideal for extreme climates.
However, if you’re looking for some of the most efficient systems today, turn to heat pumps. Heat pumps only move heating instead of generating it, which means they have incredibly high efficiency ratings.
The Experts Are Here to Help
It’s not always easy to choose the best heating system for a house. Sometimes, you may need the assistance of a professional to help you decide on a type of heating system that fits your requirements. Unlike just getting information from the web, a local professional knows the type of weather we have here in Atlanta.
Assured Comfort is here to help you with all of your heating needs. From installing heating systems to performing emergency heating repairs in Atlanta, our experts know how to choose the right heating system for you. We’ll walk you through the available options to make sure your needs are met.
We’re proud to offer professional heating installations and 24-hour emergency heating repairs. Contact us to schedule a heating system installation today!