Tips for buying a new heating system

Types and Energy Source –– There are different types of heating systems, these include duct forced–air, ductless, heat pump, geothermal, boiler, and radiant.

The most common furnaces are duct and ductless systems. The fuel sources for these are gas or electric. Gas is the most popular because it is relatively clean, convenient and is among the least expensive fuels. Electric is another choice. Electric systems can create heat very effectively and are very safe. Make sure to ask your professional heating contractor what will be the best energy choice after considering your specific heating needs.

1. Duct Forced–Air: One of the most common central heating systems is forced air heating systems. They are present in nearly 35 million American homes today. This system draws the room air through ductwork to a furnace, where the air is filtered and heated. The warmed air is then blown back into the rooms through other ductwork. The average lifespan is 10 to 15 years.
2. Ductless: A ductless system can be very useful for many different applications. Sometimes referred to as split systems, multi–split systems, or split–ductless systems, ductless heating (and cooling) offers home and business owners a cost–effective way to replace inefficient window units, space heaters and electric baseboard heaters. They can be installed in home additions, new construction, condominiums and apartments, or to improve temperature control in specific rooms. Ductless systems can even be fit for buildings that currently use ducted forced–air systems.
3. Heat Pump: A most economical solution is the electric–powered heat pump. These systems transfer heat from one air stream to another — using less electricity. They also act as an air conditioner during the summer. So, for some homeowners, a heat pump can meet all heating and cooling demands.
4. Geothermal: Geothermal heating (and cooling) taps into free energy from ground temperatures to provide heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. This type of system performs efficiently, is great on utility bills, and does not require extensive maintenance and lasts up to 20–25 years.
5. Boiler: Instead of using air, like forced air systems, boilers use hot water to distribute heat by using a pump to heat baseboard, cast iron radiators, or radiant flooring systems. A steam boiler distributes steam through a network of pipes to heat the radiators in the home. Boilers, also known as hydronic heat systems, can run on gas, oil, electricity or alternative fuels such as wood pellets.
6. Radiant: A radiant heating system supplies heat directly to the floor or to panels in the wall or ceiling of a house. These systems depend largely on radiant heat transfer — the delivery of heat directly from the hot surface to the people and objects in the room via infrared radiation by using hot water or electricity. It delivers heat where needed, is quiet, and can reduce energy costs.

This gives you a basic idea of heating options, but it’s always best to talk to your contractor for more information in determining which is best.

Choose the Best Contractor and Quality System – Make sure to look for a contractor who gives a detailed, room–by–room analysis of your heating needs. You don’t want one who gives a vague estimate based on room size and number of windows. The best contractors will do a free estimate and will want to come to your home to perform a load calculation. A load calculation takes into account the size of your house, the insulation value of your windows, and the amount of insulation in your walls and roof, and a host of other criteria to determine the appropriate furnace capacity.

In addition, make sure to check out the contractor’s website. A thorough and user–friendly website will be a good indicator of the work performed as well as the quality of the systems offered. Also, most reputable contractors will offer financing options.

Check References and Reviews – The most important step in choosing the right contractor is to check web reviews and references. You can ask the contractor for references; such as customers he or she has done work for in the past. Another way to check for quality and dependability is by reading web reviews. And, it’s always a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau for complaint records. Reputable contractors will be licensed, bonded, and insured; and the technician who installs the system should be certified by North American Technician Excellence (NATE).  Great contractors will offer a 100% money–back satisfaction guarantee as well as a Lemon Warranty.

Other Considerations – While the factors listed above will be the most important considerations for your new furnace, there are other differentiators among the many available products. Depending on where the furnace will be located, you may want to select a unit that is listed as being particularly quiet; higher efficiency units may feature sealed combustion chamber, and multi–speed or fully modulating two–stage and variable speed blowers are the quietest.

The type of thermostat you have installed with your furnace can make a difference in heat costs and comfort. Non–programmable thermostats, the type we’ve all had for decades, regulate temperatures manually. Programmable thermostats are set to automatically adjust the temperature throughout the day and night and can save between 10 and 30% in heating costs. They can be programmed differently for each day or maintain one set schedule for the entire week. And WiFi thermostats allow you to control the temperature remotely from your computer or phone.

Check Efficiency and Energy Star Verification – When you purchase a new furnace or heating system, you should include furnace efficiency ratings in your decision. The efficiency rating for your heating systems helps to determine how much it will cost you to heat your home. A high rating means that a greater amount of heat is provided for the amount of energy used. You should also consider the costs of the fuel used for energy.

Getting the best performance from a new heating system depends on more than just choosing the right equipment. The quality of the installation can have an enormous effect on the system’s performance and reliability, not to mention your comfort. An ENERGY STAR Verified HVAC Installation is the best way to be sure you’re getting the right equipment and a proper installation to get the most from your new system. Make sure your HVAC contractor is a credentialed ENERGY STAR contractor.

Warranties, Annual Maintenance, Rebates and Incentives – Most heating system manufacturers recommend yearly maintenance. Failure to maintain your unit may void the warranty. Ask your contractor for details. Consider a yearly home maintenance agreement or membership with a trusted contractor to head off potential problems before they become serious and extend the life of your unit.

Investing in high–efficiency equipment offers other perks in addition to utility bill savings. High–efficiency heating equipment can qualify for local utility incentives and rebates that can result in money back in your pocket. Ask your HVAC contractor to find out whether the new heating system you want qualifies for any utility rebates and/or incentives.

For more information and a free estimate, contact us today!