When it comes to the temperature of your home, safety and comfort are the most important factors. But along with these factors is the energy efficiency aspect of heating your home. There are numerous options for heating your home that range from a basic fireplace to warm up a single room to a high-efficiency system that controls the temperature of your entire home. If energy efficiency is the most important factor to you, there are some things you need to know about home heating and air in Lilburn, GA, as well as the efficiency of each type of system. Here’s what you need to know.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are considered to be the most energy-efficient option for heating your home. The system uses very little fuel source because it works by moving heat around rather than creating its own heat. In fact, it can be used for both heating and air conditioning. There are two main types of heat pumps. An air-source heat pump captures heat from outdoors and brings it into the home. This type of heat pump is more effective in moderate climates since the pump has difficulty extracting heat from air that is below freezing temperatures. The refrigerant that cycles between an indoor and outdoor unit of the heat pump is compressed in order to release heat to heat or cool your home, depending on the season. Geothermal heat pumps work a lot like air-source heat pumps, but they pull the heat from either the soil or a body of water near your home. Pipes are buried below the ground so that the refrigerant can circulate and release or gather heat as needed.
Heat pumps are extremely energy efficient because they require very little electricity and burn no fossil fuels. Many homeowners that choose to install a heat pump experience significant energy savings, with some saving up to 70%. In addition to efficiency, heat pumps are good for the environment because they don’t emit greenhouse emissions.
Forced-Air Furnace
Heat pumps for some homeowners are prohibitively expensive to install, so many turn to a forced-air furnace instead. Furnaces are the most common types of heating options in homes and are becoming increasingly energy efficient as technology advances. Furnaces installed today are far more energy-efficient than older models because they can utilize up to 98% of the fuel used for heating, meaning there is very little lost energy. When choosing between furnaces, it’s important to look at this fuel utilization efficiency rating, which is called AFUE. Natural gas furnaces are usually the most affordable type of furnace to run simply because the fuel source is less expensive than the oil and electric furnace alternatives.
Boiler
Residential boilers are less common in residential settings but may be a good alternative for some homes. Boilers produce hot water that’s then circulated through pipes throughout the home so that hot air can be delivered to the radiators. Boilers also have AFUE ratings, and there are high-efficiency models that can boast similar ratings as furnaces.
Choosing the Best Option
There are numerous factors to consider when finding the most energy-efficient heating option without breaking the bank. Some options are better for those desiring a zoned system or those who are sensitive to indoor air quality problems. To learn more about the best system for heating and cooling in Lilburn, GA, contact Triad Mechanical today.
