What Is The Most Efficient Type Of Heating System In 2024
Do you try and wait until the very last second to turn on your heating system for the season? No one likes to pay high energy bills, and homeowners do anything they can to save a few bucks, even if it means being a little chilly to start the season. When it comes to saving on energy bills, you will want to make sure your heating system is operating efficiently. In this article, we will go a little further into what the most efficient heating systems are.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, your heating bill accounts for around 30% of your utility costs for the year. This is the most of any appliance in your home, with the air conditioner not far behind. This means that if your heating system is sucking up energy, it’s really running up your utility costs. Conversely, if you have a very energy efficient heating system, you are going to see your energy bills stay reasonable, and save money over the year.
We have installed and serviced hundreds, even thousands of heating systems in the area, working in East Dundee, Hoffman Estates, and honestly all over the Fox River Valley. We hear from people who are very happy with their heating and energy bills, then we also hear the horror stories of people paying WAY too much during the winter.
This article is going to go over what makes a heating system energy efficient, and what are the most efficient styles of heating system. If you are looking for help with your home heating, just give us a call at (630) 504-8688, or contact us online!
What Are The Most Energy Efficient Heating Systems?
There are different kinds of heating systems, and they all have their advantages and disadvantages. Some heating systems use gas or oil, while other use electricity to operate. No matter what kind of heating system you have, they all generally have efficiency ratings.
For heating systems that use gas, their efficiency is measured with Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. It’s a measure of how well a furnace converts fuel into heat over the course of a year. The higher your efficiency rating, the less energy you will use to heat your home. The minimum AFUE rating is 80%, and it can go all the way up to 98.5%.
Heat pumps use HSPF, or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor to measure their efficiency. If your heat pump has a rating over 8.2 HSPF, it’s ENERGY STAR certified. HSPF ratings over 10 are on the higher side, while in the 8s is about middle of the road.
The bottom line here is that no matter what kind of heating system you invest in, you can opt to install one with a higher efficiency rating. These systems will cost a bit more up front, but over the lifespan of your heating system, you will see lower energy bills than if you installed a less efficient model.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps tend to be very energy efficient. They operate using electricity, not gas or oil like a lot of more traditional furnaces. Heat pumps use a heat transfer process to draw heat from the air outside, and pump it into your home. Even in frigid temperatures, there’s a bit of heat in the air.
We love heat pumps because of their efficient operation, and also the more consistent price of electricity. Gas and oil heating systems are great, but the price of fuel fluctuates more, sometimes making the cost of running these systems unpredictable.
They also have the ability to cool your space in the summer too!
Ductless Mini Splits
Ductless mini splits are another one of our favorite types of HVAC systems. They work as heat pumps as well, so they have the same energy efficiency capabilities heat pumps do, with a few bonuses.
Ductless mini splits don’t need any ductwork to deliver the air around your home. This helps you cut some of the energy losses, as ductwork can be leaky and inefficient. Ductless mini splits also give you the ability to zone your HVAC. Zoning means you can control the temperature in different “zones” of your home independently.
Traditional HVAC systems treat the entire home the same, and try to make every space the same temperature. This can be wasteful, as you are usually heating rooms that aren’t being used. Ductless mini splits let you turn off the zones you aren’t using, and save money and energy in the process.
Furnaces
Furnaces are still some of the most reliable types of heating systems you can install in your home. Especially in cold places like Illinois, we can get some brutally frigid winters. Furnaces provide reliable heating no matter how cold it gets outside, whereas heat pumps can struggle if it gets below a certain temperature.
We recommend getting a high efficiency furnace if you go in this direction. As long as you install an efficient model, your system will keep your energy bills from going through the roof.
Regular Heating Maintenance Keeps Energy Bills Down
Installing a heating system that operates efficiently is important, but if you don’t have it serviced regularly, you will see your efficiency slip. Regular maintenance will help keep your system energy efficient, and also provide other benefits like a lengthened system lifespan, better indoor air quality, and fewer breakdowns.
We recommend you have your heating system serviced once a year, preferably before the winter. This is the best way to make sure you get the most out of your heating system, and keep the energy bills down!
Installing A New Heating System In East Dundee, IL
If you are interested in a new heating system in East Dundee, IL, or any of the surrounding towns, we can help! The experts at Compass will come out and take a look at your home, and give you options on different heating systems. We’ll work with you to find the one that fits your home best, and keeps your energy bills down! Give us a call at (630) 504-8688, or contact us online!
