A Buying Guide to Getting the Home Heating You Need
Have you been considering a replacement for the current heating system in your home? It can be hard to know where to start. Heating systems are a substantial purchase, and a necessary one. That’s why it’s so important that you select the appropriate heating system for your home, your lifestyle and your budget. Today, there are many different options available, and a wide variety of brands on the market. And while that gives you many choices, it also can make it a bit more difficult to know if you’re choosing the right system for your needs.
That’s why doing your research on home heating equipment is so important.
Hopping on the internet is pretty much the way everyone does their research nowadays. There is so much information available on different equipment types and brands that it can get a bit daunting. The best place to start is by making sure you’ve chosen the most reputable sources of information when it comes to heating equipment.
You’ll want to make sure that the information you’re reading is unbiased, and has been proven to have the best interest of consumers in mind. We’ve compiled a short list of reliable sources to get you started. These websites offer valuable, consumer-focused content, helping you research your needs easily. You can click on the links below to visit the sites:
Choose these websites to learn more about different types of equipment, energy efficiency and more. And, as you browse this buyer’s guide, we’ll address some of these concerns as well. We want to help you become as well-informed as possible.
3 Important things you’ll want to know when it comes to selecting heating equipment
1. Choosing the right size for your home: The best way to know that your home heating equipment has been sized appropriately for your home is by working with an HVAC professional. A reputable HVAC company will know how to analyze your home’s space and energy needs, resulting in properly sized equipment. Why is sizing so important? If your furnace is too small, your home won’t get adequately heated, especially when it’s extremely cold outside. Or, if your furnace is too large, it will waste energy and components will wear out because of frequent on-and-off cycling.
2. Consider energy efficiency. Is your current system more than 10 years old? If so, it probably isn’t as energy efficient as you’d like. Because of technological advances made in heating equipment in recent years, today’s furnaces and boilers offer much higher efficiencies than did equipment in the past. And, highly efficient heating systems such as heat pumps and ductless systems have become more popular, and more accessible. Both of these types of systems provide optimal energy efficiency coupled with effective heating.
3. Research your installer, too. Just as important as the type and brand of equipment you choose is selecting a reputable HVAC dealer. They should be affiliated with organizations such as NATE (North American Technician Excellence), and look into whether or not they offer ongoing training for their technicians in order to keep them up-to-date on new technologies and equipment. Look at their Better Business Bureau listing, as well as online reviews. The more comfortable you are with your installer, the more likely your project will go smoothly and you’ll get the perfect system for your home.
Find out more about different kinds of heating equipment.
Furnaces
Usually, there are two types of furnaces available for home heating. Oil furnaces, as you’d expect, use fuel oil, while gas furnaces use natural gas. Generally speaking, gas furnaces are more efficient than oil, and most people in the Northeast choose to heat their homes with furnaces or boilers. However, other systems, such as heat pumps and geothermal systems, are becoming more common as technologies improve.
Boilers
Like furnaces, most boiler systems use gas or oil to operate. If your home has radiant heat, then you use a boiler. Modern boilers are built to be much more efficient than were boilers in the past. Many reach rates of 95 percent efficiency or more.
Heat Pumps
Many people aren’t sure about heat pump systems because they’ve heard they only are effective in warmer climates. However, heat pump technology has improved, making them a viable choice even in states like New York where winters are colder. They are one of the most energy efficient options available because they work by extracting heat from the ground or air.
Ductless Heating
Ductless heating operates with heat pump technology, making it a very efficient method of heating your home. And, ductless systems can provide zoned, targeted comfort, which leads to even greater efficiency. This is a perfect option for homes that don’t have a duct system and needs baseboard or electric heat replaced.
Take the next step in getting the heating system you need for your home this winter.
John Betlem works with you, your home and your budget to provide you with the best, most efficient heating system possible.
And, you can download a PDF of the buyer’s guide by clicking below:
