The process of choosing the ideal heating system for your home can be overwhelming, especially if you are a first-time buyer. It involves selecting the boilers, furnaces, and heat pumps, which almost look the same but with different functionalities. The exact process gets harder when choosing fireplaces, stoves, direct vent wall heaters, and much more.
There are also various brands and heating systems, which you have to select the best according to your home and budget. How do you come up with the best? There are several factors you need to consider when choosing a home heating system. This article will explain the top five factors, which include the below.
1. Energy Efficiency
We are in an era where people are looking for possible ways of conserving energy in their homes. It is essential to consider a heating system that will improve the energy efficiency in your home. It is the efficiency reason that most homeowners dump their old heating systems for a new one. Most old models waste at least 50% heat generated, with the new ones ranging at the lowest 10%. It is crucial to get a heating system that gives the best results with minimum loss. How does one check on this? The best way to find an energy-efficient heating system is to check if it has the energy star logo. This logo proves that the relevant bodies approved the equipment as energy-efficient equipment.
2. Maintenance
You might not want to purchase something that will give you stress in maintaining it. This situation means you need a heating system that’s easy to service and maintain. Most heating systems will require changing of parts, including the furnace filters and servicing of the boilers. Ensure you buy a system that you can maintain on your own, including changing the filters. According to this blog on furnace filter size issues, you can do many maintenance practices on your own if you buy the right heating system you can manage. Other than this, it is essential to get a professional service company that will be maintaining your heating components at least once a year to ensure it works perfectly and lasts longer. General Maintenance involves changing parts, doing repairs, and cleaning the equipment.
3. Size
Size matters when choosing the right heating system as different needs require different sizes. When the unit is too small for your home, you may not get the benefits or end up overworking it, which reduces its lifespan. The same applies when it’s too big since you may underutilize it, thus suffering high energy bills for a small home. Ensure you buy a heating system that corresponds with your home. You can get the footage of your home, which helps the experts determine the right size you can purchase for your home. If you aren’t sure of the size, it’s better to call the HVAC installation company to visit your home, work on the calculations, and get you a system that will effectively serve your home.
4. Fuel
What will be powering your heating system? It is important choosing a system that can easily be powered by the available fuel in your area. This idea will avoid running out of fuel and ensure you use the least costs to run the equipment, especially during heavy use. Most central heating systems can run on electricity, while heat pumps can run through geothermal energy. If you have plenty of natural gas, propane, or heating oil, you can opt for the boilers and furnaces, which at times can run on diesel fuel. Other home heating systems use solar energy and can be ideal in areas with regular sunshine.
5. Distribution system
You may want to buy a heating system compatible with your house since not all share the same distribution system. When it comes to furnaces and heat pumps, they both use a forced air distribution system, which requires ducts to be installed all over the house where you require the heating. On the other hand, traditional boilers will need radiators, while the modern ones require heating panels and or water baseboards to transfer heat in your house. It is essential to choose an effective heating system that will meet your house needs without modifying it or increasing installation costs.
You must also consider other factors, including purchasing cost, installation cost, and operating costs, to avoid hurting your finances. While choosing the best heating system can be overwhelming, using the tips provided above will ease the process. Most of the tips are determined by your budget and the type of house. Ensure to choose wisely to avoid suffering costs when the unit doesn’t fit in your home, or its overall costs go beyond your set budget.