If you’re shopping for a new heating system for your home, there are several options to consider. Heating typically accounts for about 30 percent of your home’s energy costs, so it’s important to know some important facts that will help you make the best decision when choosing a heating system.Forced air furnace – Delivers heat through a duct system and vents. Heat can be generated by natural gas, propane, oil or electricity. Natural gas is the most popular.
- Efficiency ratings – Furnaces have an AFUE rating (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) of 78-98 percent. High-efficiency models are rated 90 percent and higher.
- Energy-efficient features – sealed combustion, condensing furnace, variable-speed motors, electronic ignition, more compact size.
Heat pump – transfers heat from an outside pump to an inside coil unit.
- Efficiency – Heat pumps have two efficiency ratings – SEER and HSPF. The first (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) measures the ratio of energy pumped outside in cooling mode (BTUs) divided by electricity used for cooling (watts). Look for a SEER rating of 16 and above for best efficiency. HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) measures the ratio of energy pumped inside for heat in proportion to the energy used for heating. Look for an HSPF rating of 8 and above for best efficiency.
- Energy-efficient features – Dual-speed compressors, scroll compressors, desuperheater coils.
Geothermal heat pump – extracts heat from the ground through a series of small buried pipes in your yard for heating, and deposits heat from your home back into the ground for cooling.
- Efficiency – 100 percent rating
- Energy-efficient features – Low operational costs; quiet; clean, no combustion; green
Radiant heat – Warms objects instead of the air, warming the closest objects to its source first. Provides heat through the floors with electric cables or hydronic tubing for heated water.
- Efficiency ratings – 100 percent rating
- Energy-efficient features – No furnace or blowers; quiet; clean, dust-free, green, and provides even and long-lasting heat.
If we can help you with your home heating system, please contact us at Overland Park Heating & Cooling. We provide professional sales, service and installation in the greater Kansas City area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Overland Park, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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