Home Heating
Home heating is one of the most expensive and important aspects of any home. The right heating system can provide you with years of perfect service while saving you on your heating bills. The wrong heating system can be a complete nightmare and end up costing you a small fortune. It is very important to take the time and research the pros and cons of all different types of home heating systems. Every system has its advantages and its drawbacks to keep in mind while making your decision. A little research now can go a long way toward saving you a significant amount of money in the immediate and long-term future. Here, you will learn a little about some of the more energy efficient systems out there.
Heat Pump
Heat pumps are exceptionally efficient methods of heating and cooling a conditioned space. In the parlance of heating, a "conditioned space" is simply the building being heated or cooled. Heat pumps don't simply rely on electricity to provide heating or cooling. These pumps also utilize pre-conditioned air to help reduce the amount of electricity used to further heat or cool the air.
When a conventional electric furnace turns on, it pulls in air from the outside and heats it with electric elements inside the furnace. This means that the heating elements have to work harder to raise air that is a very low temperature. With a heat pump, the air used for heating is drawn from a more stable environment. The air is brought up from under the ground where air is a more consistent temperature. Instead of pulling in 10 degree air for heating, the heat pump is pulling in air that is already close to 60 degrees. This allows most heat pumps to work at 2 or 300 per cent efficiency.
Pellet Stoves
Pellet stoves can use a number of dense organic substances for heating. The most common pellets used in stoves today are made out of corn and wood. The density of the pellets allows them to burn longer than traditional fuel sources. This means that pellet stoves get the absolute most out of the fuel they use. Pellet stoves require you to install an exhaust outlet in your home. They also require you to have the stove installed in a common area of your home. For some, this is a drawback despite the excellent efficiency of these units.
Radiant Floor Heating
Heated air is less dense than cold air is. As a result, hot air will rise continually until it cools and becomes more dense. This basic thermodynamic principle should provide you with a good explanation of the usefulness of radiant floor heating.
Radiant floor heating allows heat to rise in the areas it is used. This means that you don't have to have a blowing element for the heat to disperse. Traditional heating systems rely on a fan or other blowing mechanism to disperse the heated air. This requires an even greater input of electricity. Radiant floor heating provides heat efficiently to floor spaces and allows physics to take over. This is one of the most passive ways you can heat your home.
Getting Heating Systems Installed
Before you decide on a heating system for your home, it's recommended that you have a thorough home energy audit conducted. This energy audit will give you a more thorough understanding of what system would be best for your home. This assessment will be based upon a number of different factors. The energy auditor you hire will assess the layout of your home and tell you the best system for that unique layout. He or she will also have invaluable knowledge of how various heating systems work in your local climate. Try not to jump the gun and just buy a system that you think will work great for your home. Get help from professionals before making any decisions.
You need to have home heating systems installed by a qualified professional. Unless you are a certified HVAC installer, never try to install these systems on your own. You need to make sure that you are working with an HVAC installer who is certified through state or local authorities. Most states have some level of certification that an HVAC installer is required to go through.
When you contact the HVAC installer, you should take the time to learn about his or her experience. If you are interested in more energy efficient heating systems, then you need to make sure that your contractor is knowledgeable about these systems. He or she should have a working understanding of energy efficiency standards. LEED standards are the most commonly used standards throughout the country when it comes to energy efficiency. Your contractor should have a solid understanding of LEED standards.
