Replacing Heating System
What type of heating system do you have now?
Furnaces and Boilers
Furnaces and boilers have made great strides in the last ten years, but it is still more efficient to get a heat pump at this point, albeit more of a hassle.
Wood and Pellet-Fuel Heating
Unless you spend the $7000.00 on an energy efficient fire place, you’ll want to get a heat pump. Unless you enjoy all the work that goes into pellet-fuel heating, you’ll want to get a heat pump as well. You can leave these systems in place (in fact, they might come in handy some day), but as of now, a heat pump is less expensive up front and less expensive to run.
Electric Resistance Heating
This is the most expensive way to heat your home, not to mention detrimental to the environment. Without a doubt, you want to install a heat pump. It seems like some people might think that they are saving the environment by using electricity, when in reality, coal is being burned at a power plant to produce that electricity, and about 70% is lost before it reaches your home.
Radiant Heating
Radiant heat is more efficient than a heat pump if you don’t zone your heat pump, and you will feel more comfortable. However, we live in a climate where we cool an heat our homes. You can just install an air conditioner for those times, or you can use window units or mini split systems. But more than likely, you want a heat pump.
Small Space Heaters
These are great to boost the amount of heat in one room or if you only want to heat one room. They should not be used to heat the entire house though; that’s where a heat pump comes in handy.
Heat Distribution Systems
Steam Radiators
This is an inefficient and inconvenient way to heat your home. You want a heat pump.
Hot-Water Radiators
This is an energy efficient option for a home, but you will have to “bleed” the radiators. Zoning will help with the energy efficiency.
