“Good
For most people, home heating is a simple question of a gas furnace (or boiler) or an electric one. Natural gas is the most common heat source in the United States, used by 49% of homes, while electricity is the second most common, at 34%. The question of which is more efficient is not quite straightforward.
Better
There are better choices. Electric air-source heat pumps draw heat from the outdoors (even when it’s cold) and transfer it indoors. They do not require and any fuel and operate with very little electricity – usually less than half that of an electric furnace. More energy is saved because these units also replace coolers in the summer. In the past, heat pump systems were only useful in warm climates, but newer Energy Star certified models are increasingly suitable for colder climates.
Best
Geothermal energy systems typically use 25% to 50% less electricity than conventional heating and cooling systems. Residential geothermal systems use a heat pump to exchange heat with the earth. This enables them to heat a home in the winter and cool it in the summer. Despite the cost and difficulty of installing a geothermal heat pump, they often pay for themselves in as little as three years.”
Check out the full article here.
When choosing a heating system for your home you’ll want to balance budget with efficiency. Smaller homes may be better suited to have traditional heating systems installed. How much space do you need heated and how much money are you willing to invest? Typically, the more you pay upfront the better the long-term savings will be. If you’re unsure about which is right for your home talk to one of our professionals.
At Apple Valley Eagan Appliance we install and repair furnaces as well as heat pumps. We can even help you with your fireplace for single room use! Call us at 952-953-0080 or visit our heating page for more info.
