A Good Heater Is Essential For Any Home

A good heater is essential for any home, but there are multiple options. Some are more expensive than others but may save you money on energy bills because of their efficiency. If you would like to know more, check out these four heating options to consider.

1. Traditional Furnace

Traditional furnaces are incredibly popular because they are extremely effective at quickly heating the house to any temperature needed to keep you warm. They are also one of the cheapest options to install. There are multiple options and features to consider, including dehumidifiers, air purifiers, etc.

Traditional furnaces rely on a series of ducts to transport the air. For this reason, if you don't already have ducts, it may be best to avoid a traditional furnace. Adding ducts is invasive and can drastically boost the price of the project.

2. Heat Pump

A heat pump also uses ducts to transport the heated air, making it a poor choice in homes without ducts. They are more expensive to install than a traditional furnace, but they are more efficient, so you'll recoup the money in energy savings. On top of that, a heat pump can also be used to cool your home in the summer.

When choosing your heat pump, you'll need to decide on an air-source or ground-source unit. Air-source units are less expensive, but they are not as effective or efficient as ground-source units. Ground-source units also tend to last longer and require less maintenance.

3. Mini-Split System

If you don't have ducts, a mini-split system can be the cheaper choice because they don't rely on any ducts. Even if you do have ducts, however, a mini-split system loses less air than those that rely on ducts. Damage to ducts and poor insulation causes heat loss/gain, which forces you to use more energy.

A mini-split system uses multiple indoor units to provide heat more efficiently. This also allows for zoned heating. Plus, like a heat pump, a mini-split system can be used to cool your home in the summer. Mini-split systems are also an efficient choice, so you can recoup some money each month.

4. Radiant Floor Heating

Radiant floor heating involves heated coils or tubes of heated water underneath the floor. These heat the floor, and the heat naturally rises to warm the house or room. Radiant floor heating is not as effective as other options, but it does create an even heat. Electric radiant floor heating is cheaper to install, but hydro systems are more efficient.

Radiant floor heating is not a good choice for floors with carpet or linoleum, but it is great for tile. Many people use radiant floor heating in certain rooms like the bathroom to provide comfort.

Contact a heating contractor for more information.