As temperatures drop, maintaining a warm and cozy home becomes a top priority for homeowners. While it’s tempting to simply crank up the thermostat, understanding the various types of home heating systems can lead to more efficient energy use and improved comfort.
In this blog, our team at Melton’s Heating & Air Conditioning walks you through some of the most common heating systems found in modern homes.
Forced Air Furnaces
Forced air distribution systems, commonly known as furnaces, are the most prevalent type of home heating system. These systems use a blower fan to distribute heated air throughout the house via a network of ducts. The fuel sources for forced air furnaces can be either natural gas, propane, oil, or electricity. Their advantage is that they combine heating and cooling capabilities in one system.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps represent the latest advancement in home heating technology. They operate by extracting heat from the air outside and transferring it indoors through an air handler. Heat pumps can run on either natural gas or electricity. They’re a popular choice due to their ability to switch to air conditioning mode in summer.
Ductless Mini-Split Systems
A popular variant of heat pumps is the ductless mini-split system. These flexible units consist of a small outdoor compressor and indoor air handlers that can be placed in different rooms, allowing for precise temperature control in each space.
Boilers and Radiators
Often found in older homes and apartments, boiler systems circulate steam or hot water through pipes to radiator units throughout the house. They run on natural gas, propane, fuel oil, biodiesel blends, or electricity. Boilers and heaters are advantageous because they provide comfortable heat without drying out the air.
In-Floor Radiant Heating
Radiant systems offer even heat distribution by using plastic water tubing or electrical wiring installed beneath the floor. This type of heating is available through gas, propane, electricity, or solar hot water systems. They provide steady, even heat across the entire home.
Choosing the Right System for Your Home
When selecting a heating system, consider factors such as:
Your local climate
The size and layout of your home
Energy efficiency ratings
Installation and maintenance costs
Integration with existing HVAC components
Understanding these various heating options can help you make the best decision about your home’s comfort and energy use. Whether you’re building a new home, replacing an outdated system, or simply curious about your current setup, knowledge of these heating systems is valuable for any homeowner.
Schedule Heating and Cooling Services in Salem with Melton’s Heating & Air Conditioning!
To ensure your home heating system is operating at peak efficiency, regular maintenance is essential. Our team of experienced professionals at Melton’s Heating & Air Conditioning is ready to assist you with all your heating and cooling needs. From system inspections and tune-ups to repairs and new installations, we’re committed to keeping your home comfortable year-round.
Contact us today to schedule your heating system service in Salem, OR, today!
The furnace in your Salem or Keizer, OR, home will last for many years – but nothing lasts forever, and home furnaces take a lot of punishment. The combination of high heat, pressure, and numerous mechanical systems means that it will start failing over time, and eventually, the costs of furnace repair services will become too high.
So, is it time to look at replacing your furnace? Or can you keep ordering repairs for another year or two? Here are some factors to consider.
Three Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Furnace
1. The furnace is too old
Generally speaking, a furnace will run best for the first decade of service and then go downhill. It won’t fail immediately, of course, but most furnaces will only last around 15-20 years, even if they’re well-maintained.
So if your furnace is 15+ years old, you can assume it doesn’t have many more years left. That’s the point that replacement starts making more sense than repairs.
2. Repair costs are rising
How often are you calling for furnace repair services in the Salem-Keizer area? Even if your furnace is pretty old, there’s probably no reason to replace it if it’s not giving you trouble. On the other hand, if you find yourself calling for repairs every year – or more often – those repair costs are going into a money pit. It’s probably not worth continual repairs if you can afford a replacement.
3. You want better energy efficiency
Beyond maintenance factors with the furnace, there’s another issue here: energy efficiency. 2020s furnaces are far more energy-efficient than models from twenty years ago. Installing a new furnace is virtually guaranteed to reduce your energy bills at least somewhat, and the amount you save will largely depend on what kind of replacement you choose.
You might even want to consider a home heat pump, which replaces both your A/C and furnace with a single all-in-one unit. A heat pump has a smaller footprint, freeing up floor space and offeringthe best energy efficiency in the HVAC market.
Since 1966, Melton’s has been a leader in furnace repair services and sales in Salem, Keizer, OR, and across the Willamette Valley. If your current furnace is old and giving you problems, or you just want to upgrade to the latest and greatest in-home HVAC appliances, contact us to discuss your options!
By investing in the right heating system, you can heat your home effectively and efficiently and minimize breakdowns and repairs. However, it isn’t always easy to determine what type of heating system is best for your home. That’s why the professionals from Melton’s Heating & Air Conditioning have condensed all you need to know about finding and buying the perfect heating system for you in this detailed blog.
1)What is the ‘Right’ Heating System?
The first step to selecting the ‘right’ heating system is understanding what the term means. Each home has unique needs and requirements. To find your ideal match, you need to consider several important factors like the size and location of your house, budget, stance on sustainability, etc. A correlation of these elements will help you find your perfect heating system in no time!
2) Finding Your Ideal Heating System
Let us take a look at how these factors affect your heating system choice:
Weather Conditions: The climatic conditions of a given area have a significant impact on the kind of heating system you need. In areas with extremely cold weather conditions, furnace sales are usually higher because they are more effective in such weather. Conversely, for moderate climates, a new heat pump is a good choice.
Room-Based Heating: If different rooms of your house have different heating requirements, you should invest in a mini split heating system.
AFUE Rating: A good metric to judge a given heating system is the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) Rate. As the name suggests, the AFUE rate highlights the efficiency of a heating system. This percentage-based rate tells you the fraction of energy consumed by your heating system that is utilized in the heating process. Thus, a high AFUE rating is a good sign.
Energy Resources: Most people go for electricity-based heating systems. However, for those that are more environmentally conscious, natural gas may be a better choice. But not all houses are natural-gas compatible so this might not be a feasible option for everyone. To confirm if your home falls in this category or not you can check with your local natural gas company.
3) Benefits of Having an Efficient Heating System
It’s important to get a heating system that provides efficient and economic heating solutions. Spending some extra time and effort at this step can actually save you a lot of hassle and money in the long run in the form of lower energy bills, better performance, and the extended lifespan of the system you choose.
4) Popular Types of Heating Systems
Furnaces
Furnaces are arguably the most efficient and popular heating systems. They work by heating the air through a component called a heat exchanger. Once the air is warmed, a network of air vents and blowers are used to distribute it throughout your house. Every time the winter season rolls in, one can notice a spike in furnace sales, and for all the right reasons. Apart from being a highly reliable source of heat with a great AFUE rating, furnaces are also much more affordable compared to other alternatives.
However, one thing to note before buying a new furnace is that these machines are usually quite noisy. So, if this is a deal breaker for you, you may want to reconsider your choice.
Heat Pumps
A heat pump is a dual-purpose system that serves both heating and cooling functions. It follows a simple method of heating (or cooling) that involves collecting air from the outside and heating or cooling it before pumping it indoors. People hail heat pumps for providing high-quality, filtered air and being virtually noise-free. If you favor these benefits over other factors, a new heat pump might be the best choice for you.
Boilers
Boilers work by heating water in a tank and using the warmth generated to heat up your house. The method involves pumping the hot water to individual radiators through a network of pipes, which then circulate the heat throughout your home. Boilers are popular because of their generally high AFUE ratings. They are available in electric and natural gas energy options and suit most households. As for the downsides, boilers are a relatively pricier heating option that demands significant storage space as well.
Buy Top Mini Split Heating Systems Near You
Melton’s Heating & Air Conditioning offers top-quality heating and cooling solutions near you. We provide sturdy HVAC systems and reliable repair and maintenance services. Enjoy amazing deals and offers on Mini Split Heating Systems. Contact us today!
