Home improvement is a sure way to increase the monetary, as well as aesthetic value of your property. Heating is an essential aspects most homeowners concentrate on especially when winter is on the horizon. The choice of your heating system will indeed have a huge impact on the energy consumed in your house, and consequently, the cost of home maintenance will also be affected. Home improvement has numerous benefits for homeowners, more so when the areas to be improved define our everyday lives such as the choices we make when improving the heating solutions for our homes, keeping in mind that we need the homes to be warm and pleasant in the winter.
Heating is a crucial component of any home, and improving the way your house gets heated will mean a lot, from the monetary point of view in case you plan on selling the house or the utility bills reduction. Systems that are above 20 years old need a complete overhaul if you are to realize the benefits of heating solutions. Keep in mind that recent ones have major improvements as compared to the one existing in your house, and shifting to newer ones means having an efficient home.
Selecting the type of heating system to use when improving your home needs one to have an understanding of the various types available, their benefits and the value they will add to the home. Star Rating has come to improve greatly the way we judge appliances, and getting the right ones will be significant for the home to be efficient besides keeping your home warm and pleasant in the winter.
Things to Consider
When deciding which heating system to install in your home, consider the following factors:
1. The distribution system available.
Most homes utilize forced air or hot water for heating. Hot air is forced into ducts to distribute heat throughout the house. Hot water is used in a system called hydronic heating system. The hot water is forced through copper or plastic pipes. Some pipes could be located in the floor slab, radiating heat to the house floor evenly.
2. Energy source
Natural gas is the most popular source of heating energy in the United States. Propane and liquid petroleum gases are used in regions without natural gas supply. Fuel oil is increasingly becoming popular due to its clean qualities. The relative cost of fuels and the availability in your area should determine the choice you make when deciding which energy source to use.
3. Efficiency
A system's efficiency is a critical factor every homeowner should put into consideration when choosing which system to use during home improvements. High efficient oils lead to low operating costs. Remember you are choosing a system that might last a lifetime and the cost will be a factor when considered as a long term aspect. Efficiency ratings are available for comparisons, and homeowners should be keen when choosing the system to use.
Available systems to choose from
Heating oil
There are many reasons why heating oil is a better choice in comparison to other fuel sources. Heating oil, however, is always in the shadow of natural gas and choosing it over natural gas will require a bold step.
Heating oil is now available in plentiful, meaning acquiring and using is not as hard as it was sometime back. In the US, heating oil is available with ease especially now that the government has set aside more than two million barrels as a reserve in the Northeast Heating Oil Reserve. Additionally, heating oil is environmentally cleaner as compared to other fuels. Natural gas is a powerful contributor to global warming making heating oil an increasing popular choice.
Electric heating pumps
Heat pumps employ a similar method to that found in the air conditioner. However, they reverse the cycle to deliver heat to the house when heating is needed. They are efficient and less costly making them a better choice to install in your house during renovations. Geothermal heat pumps are more efficient as they absorb heat from the ground making heat loss minimal.
Furnaces
They are highly utilized due to the relatively easy availability of natural gas. They are also very efficient and easy to use. Some furnaces use propane for heating and have an efficiency rating of almost 98 percent. Air is usually heated and forced through the furnaces, thereby providing a heating mechanism in the house.
Home improvement is an added advantage for homeowners who plan on selling, and so is those who want to reduce the cost of home maintenance. Investing in a new system of heating will be a guaranteed method to ensure you money does not go to waste.
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