When you are in the market for a new heating system, there is a lot of information to sort through. First, you have to actually make sure your heater is broken…you wouldn’t want to replace a heater that has a few good years left! Then, you have to make a decision relatively quickly. Buying a new heater is known in our industry as a “distress purchase,” something you buy because you need it, not because you wanted to buy it.
That’s why the best way to pick out your new heater is to work with a qualified technician to assess your options, your needs, local concerns, and your budget. But you can get a good idea of what to expect with our guide to 3 popular heating systems.
Boilers
A boiler is a popular heating system for a cold area. It relies on radiant heating to keep you warm, transferring heat directly to people and objects in the room, and this is done by transferring heat to water that circulates throughout your home.
A boiler system is…
- Heat transfer tends to be more efficient through water than via air, because water retains heat better. With a high-efficiency boiler to replace your older unit, you should notice a difference in your monthly bills!
- If you’ve never owned a boiler before, you’re going to love the difference a radiant heating system makes.
- Boilers tend to last longer than any other system on the market today, as long as they are properly maintained.
Furnaces
Furnaces heat air from your home by either burning fuel or using electrical resistance to generate heat. Typically, we recommend gas furnaces, as electric furnaces can use a lot of electricity and are costly to run. Heated air then makes its way throughout the home via the air ducts. This is known as forced-air heating.
A furnace is…
- Cost-Effective. As far as central heating system prices go, you can’t beat a furnace. While electric furnaces are less costly, gas furnaces pay off in the long run, especially if you choose a high-efficiency system.
- Most homes are already set up for a furnace installation. With a central thermostat that can connect to the AC as well, it’s a convenient way to heat any home, and it wouldn’t make sense to spend so much money on a boiler installation.
- Today’s furnaces are much more efficient than they were decades ago.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are essentially central air conditioners, but with additional components that allow them to heat a home with the same components that cool it. A heat pump is an electric heating and cooling system, but it doesn’t use up a ton of energy because it moves heat rather than generating it.
A heat pump is…
- There’s no comparison when it comes to other types of electric heaters.
- Heating and cooling from a single system means easy maintenance. Plus, heat pumps are available in ductless form, meaning you don’t need to have air ducts to install them.
- Mostly Effective. Many people worry about heat pump performance as temperatures drop, but modern engineering makes them effective even as temperatures drop to freezing. You may, however, need a backup heating strip installed in a cold climate.
All in all, it’s up to you and your technician to decide. For your heater in Broomall, PA, contact Murphy’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.
