Boiler, heat pump or furnace – What’s the best home heating system to banish frozen toes?

Even though it doesn’t get quite as cold in Texas as it does in more northern states, winter nights and morning can be pretty bitter – especially when your home heating system isn’t working properly! Here is a quick guide to different home heating systems as well as some helpful information to assist you in choosing the best system for making your home cozy and warm.

Why does having the right heating system matter?

Heating up your home makes up a big proportion of your home energy bill, even in our mild climate. There are lots of factors that affect how high our heating bills are, including:

• The type of fuel your heating system uses – natural gas and electricity are the cheapest options and are price-regulated, while propane and heating oil are much more expensive and subject to fluctuation with the market.
• How fuel-efficient your heating system is – Efficiency refers to the amount of fuel consumed by the system to heat your home. Older systems tend to be less fuel-efficient with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) that can be as low as 60%. This means that only 60% of the fuel you are paying for is transformed into heat, while 40% is wasted. New systems offer an AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) of 90-97%, giving you the most heat for the energy supplied to the system.
• The insulation of your home – A well-insulated home holds heat in more effectively, so your heating system burns less fuel and switches on less often to meet your heating requirements. To achieve this, ceilings, floors, walls, windows and doors should be insulated and leak-free.
• Having the right size home heating system – A heating system that is too small for the house will work overtime trying to heat the space and will wear out faster or even break down. A too-large heating system will have to switch on and off more frequently than it is designed to do because it reaches the thermostat temperature too quickly, which will result in faster wear and increased breakdowns over time.

What are your options? Heat pumps, furnaces and boilers

Furnaces, boilers and heat pumps are the most common home heating systems. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of these systems as well as some insight into how they work.

Furnaces

These are the most common types of home heating systems in the country, primarily because they are reliable and pretty affordable. They can run on different fuels (gas, electric, etc.) but natural gas is the most popular option because it is the most inexpensive. Modern furnaces are incredibly efficient at using fuel, so it’s pretty easy to find a replacement for an old furnace that will really make a big impact on your energy bill. Other advantages are that they are inexpensive to install and maintain, and they have a long lifespan.

There are disadvantages, however. They can produce more allergens, gas furnaces must be monitored for carbon monoxide leaks and, while electric furnaces are safer in this regard, they are more expensive to run.

Heat pumps

Heat pumps are relatively new technology but are making a big impact around the world, especially for homeowners who are looking to live more sustainable, earth-friendly lives. These systems use existing temperatures outdoors (even underground or under water) to provide heat, cooling and the right levels of humidity to your home.

There are three types of heat pump – air-source heat pumps, split ductless systems and geothermal systems. These systems measure their efficiency differently to furnaces and boilers, using Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) for heating and Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) for cooling.

While they are very efficient and will help you save significantly in the long-term, these systems can be more expensive to install than central heating or forced air. They can be used in any season because they provide both heating and cooling, as well as providing dehumidifying or humidifying solutions as required, making them an all-in-one solution. They require a bit more maintenance than other systems but are ideal for more moderate climates (colder climates may require an additional heating system).

Boilers

Boilers are another popular home heating system, using water to generate heat that is supplied through pipes to radiators. They are powered by natural gas, electricity or propane, with natural gas being the most affordable option, and are rated in fuel-efficiency through an AFUE score.

Boilers can distribute heat in a number of ways, including through old-fashioned steam radiators, hot water radiators or hydronic radiant floor heating solutions. Radiant floor solutions are very efficient, but require tubing to be installed under the flooring, making it a very expensive option if you are considering a replacement heating system.

These systems are usually pretty quiet and low allergy, as well as generally being more fuel efficient than forced air systems. However, they can be more expensive to buy and install, can leak especially near the end of its lifespan, and your options can be more limited if natural gas isn’t supplied to your home. These are also very high output systems and are not usually necessary in homes in milder climates.

What is the most affordable way to upgrade a home heating system?

Unless you are building a home from scratch or are willing to make a long-term investment in your home, the most affordable home heating system to choose is a high-efficiency upgrade of your current system in the correct size for your space. This should incur the lowest installation cost and labor cost, and a high-efficiency system will quickly recoup this expense.

We hope this advice helped you out – stay warm!