November 2, 2013
Nobody likes to think about replacing their home heating system. But it becomes a necessity for just about every homeowner at some point in their life.
So, whether you’re replacing your heater because you want something more efficient or just because your old one broke down, here are the best options for you if you live in Sacramento, San Jose, the East Bay or one of the surrounding areas.
This is the most common type of heating system in Northern California. The furnace is most often located in your garage or attic. It heats air and then blows it through your home using ducts that are located in walls, ceilings, the crawlspace and/or the attic.
If you have a furnace, you likely have one of two types:
Gas furnaces are one of the most cost-efficient home heating systems available. While not as energy efficient as other options, because the cost of natural gas is lower than electricity, they can be less expensive to run.
Electric furnaces are usually much more energy efficient than their natural gas counterparts. However, because electricity costs more, they can still be more expensive to use. If you have an electric furnace currently, consider upgrading to a heat pump.
If you’re looking for an energy efficient heating system that won’t require a lot of retrofitting, a heat pump can be a perfect option. A heat pump is essentially an air conditioner that can also function in reverse to heat your home.
That means in the summer you have an air conditioner that can cool your whole home and in the winter you get energy-efficient heat. The one caveat is that the most common type of heat pump (an air-source heat pump) may require a furnace back-up for the really cold nights that are common here in Northern California during the winter.
There are also geothermal heat pump options that are more efficient and work in colder weather. But they are also much more expensive to install.
Another efficient home heating option is the ductless mini-split system. These types of heating systems are just gaining popularity in California and the U.S. as a whole, but have been used in homes and apartments in Europe for decades.
They work much like the traditional furnace and air conditioning combo: There’s an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. But the system requires no ductwork. This makes a ductless mini-split a perfect option for heating additional rooms that would be difficult to run ducts to.
The absence of ductwork also means there’s no heat loss from leaking ducts.
The right heating system depends on a multitude of factors including your home’s size, how you use your home, your budget and what is most important to you (cost, energy efficiency, etc).
If you need help determining which type of heating system is right for your Northern California home, give Service Champions a call or contact us online.
Service Champions serves the heating and air conditioning needs of Sacramento, San Jose, the East Bay, and the surrounding areas.