Choosing the Right Heating System for Your Home

A lot of factors go into choosing the right heating system for your home. If you think you'll be in the market for a new furnace or heat pump in the near future, start considering your heating system options now. But first, how do you know your current heating system is running out of time?

The easiest way to tell is its age. Combustion furnaces generally last from 15-20 years, while air-source heat pumps are more like air conditioners, with a useful service life of 10-15 years. If your heating system is at the upper range of those numbers, plus is breaking down frequently or your heating bills are going up, it's probably time for an upgrade. With the vast improvements in energy efficiency over the past 20 years, you might be surprised to learn how inexpensive modern high-efficiency HVAC systems are to operate.

One of the first decisions you'll need to make is whether to choose a combustion furnace (natural gas, heating oil or propane), an electric heat pump, or some other option. In most cases, sticking with the system that you're replacing is the easiest course, since your home already has the plumbing, wiring, venting, etc. However, discuss with your HVAC contractor whether a switch to a different system might give you better heating performance at a lower cost.

Energy efficiency is another factor you'll have to weigh. Higher-efficiency HVAC systems cost more at the outset, but bring long-term savings on fuel and/or electricity. The rule of thumb with heating systems is the colder and longer the winter, the more savings you'll get from a high-efficiency furnace or heat pump. Discuss with your HVAC contractor what efficiency level makes the most sense in our Oklahoma climate.

You'll also be asked about possible advanced features for your new heating system. Various add-ons can improve energy efficiency, ventilation, humidity control and air cleaning. Depending on your own budget and household conditions, some advanced features might improve comfort, indoor health and/or energy efficiency.

To discuss heating system options for your Broken Arrow area home, please contact us at Air Assurance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about heating systems and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “geralt/Pixabay”

Learn the HVAC Heating Season Lingo

It's winter in Oklahoma, which means heating season. It's important to make sure your furnace is in proper shape and can keep you comfortable without driving up your energy bill. How do you do that? First you need to know the lingo. Here are a few important terms to help you navigate heating season.

AFUE

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. The amount of fuel your furnace gives off as heat, vs. the amount given off as exhaust, by percentage. The higher the number, the more efficient your furnace.

CAE

Combined Annual Efficiency. The total efficiency of your furnace combined with that of your water heater, for those who have devices that integrate the two.

Load Calculation

A formula to determine what size furnace you need to heat your home properly — i.e. how much heat it needs to produce — based on your home's square footage, number of rooms, and a variety of other factors. If the furnace is too small, it will be overworked trying to heat your home. If it's too big, it will cycle on and off too frequently. Both situations waste energy and cause your heating system to wear out more quickly.

Heat Pump

An energy-saving alternative to a traditional furnace, it reverses the flow of heat, taking warm air from outside and circulating it through your home. Then in the summer, it acts as an air conditioner to keep your home cool. It's a good option for climates with milder winters.

Dual Fuel

A heating system that can alternate back and forth between electric power and natural gas, to improve efficiency while still maintaining comfort.

Energy Star

The federal program that identifies and labels household appliances that save energy. If you see the blue Energy Star logo on your furnace or heat pump, that means it's been proven to save both money and energy over similar models, without sacrificing performance or features. It's a great place to start when comparing heating systems.

To learn more about the terms you need to know this heating season, contact us at Air Assurance. We've served the Broken Arrow area since 1985.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC terms and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “stockcreations/Shutterstock”