4 Types Of Heating Systems That Are Available

Winter is coming, and that means it’s time to install a new heating system if your old one is on its last leg. Getting rid of a malfunctioning heater now, before the cold weather sets in, means you won’t have to worry about a breakdown in the middle of January. It also means that you can likely take advantage of a new unit’s improved efficiency, since it will do its job without using nearly as much energy.

This is also an excellent time to evaluate your existing unit to see if an alternative type of heater might be a better fit for you. In most cases, you can install a similar unit to your old one (a forced-air furnace or a heat pump,) but in some cases, a different heating system will be a better fit for your home. We’ve included a brief list of the most popular models to give you an idea of what’s out there.

1. Gas Furnaces

Gas furnaces are by far the most popular type of heating system on the market. They use burners fed by natural gas to warm the air inside the furnace (using a heat exchanger to most effectively use the fuel,) and then blow the heated air into the corners of your home. That makes them efficient and easy to use (heads up: they may cost more in monthly bills than other types of heaters and can be prone to breakdowns).

2. Electric Furnaces

Electric furnaces usually use heated coils to warm your home, powered by the electrical grid instead of a gas line. They often cost more month to month since electricity is more expensive than natural gas, but they are less expensive to install as no gas lines need to be set up. In addition, electric furnaces usually have fewer moving parts and tend to last longer than gas furnaces. They’re frequently used in rural areas that have no access to gas lines.

3. Ductless Mini Split Systems

Furnaces are usually centralized heating sources: generating warm air in a single spot and then distributing it throughout. Ductless mini split systems work by having multiple smaller units installed throughout your home. Each unit is charged with heating a single room or section, and can be adjusted individually — or even turned off — independently of the others. They cost more to install, but provide precise temperature control, and cut down on monthly bills when used judiciously.

4. Heat Pumps

Heat pumps function like air conditioners — circulating refrigerant — to warm your home in the winter as well as cooling it in the summer. What’s most appealing about them is that they help you save on your monthly heating costs, since the refrigerant used to generate the hot air isn’t used up in the way gas or electricity is.

For quality heating installation and repairs throughout the Sunbury, OH area, call on the friendly pros at Quality Air Heating and Air Conditioning today!