There are more home heating options available than most Atlanta metro area homeowners realize, and many of these options are more efficient than the typical furnace seen in most US homes. Depending on your goals and objectives, you might want to consider an entirely different heating system when it’s time to replace or upgrade your old one.
Different Types of Home Heating Systems
There are several mainstream ways to heat your home, and just like any other type of technology, HVAC is constantly evolving. Here are some heater options to consider if you’re thinking of upgrading your system:
- Furnace. This is a common central home heating system that is either electric or burns fuel (natural gas, propane, heating oil) to create heated air forced through ducts in the house.
- Air-source heat pump. Instead of burning fuel or using electricity to create heat, air-source heat pumps are designed to transfer heat that already exists in the outdoor air. This makes heat pumps several times more efficient than furnaces. They also can reverse their function and cool a space instead of heating it, fully replacing your aging air conditioner as well. Most efficient in moderate climates like the one we have in Fulton County, heat pumps work in colder climates as well. If you’re considering a heat pump, this is a very good time to make the switch, with federal tax incentives and assistance to help with the cost of installing a heat pump system.
Mini-split. This is a type of heat pump that’s ideal for add-on spaces or large homes without ductwork. Mini-splits heat and cool different rooms through wall-mounted vents on separate thermostats to create different HVAC zones.
- Radiant floor heating. This system heats your home from the ground up. The system flows hot water through underfloor tubing and the heat radiates up and warms the room. While this is more efficient and loses less heat than forced air through ducts, radiant floor heating is costly to install. The benefit of heating this way is it is less likely to stir up allergies than forced air.
- Boiler. After heating a tank of water, boilers heat a home by running the heated water through radiators in each room. Using radiators is also less likely to stir up allergies than forced air.
- Electric baseboard heat. This type of heater uses electricity to heat cold air. The system is installed on the wall baseboard, where cold air enters below to rise above as warmed air. Another method that’s great for allergy sufferers.
Related Content: How to Figure out the Age of Your Furnace
Alternative Home Heating Options
While there is nothing wrong with opting for a traditional heating system, you may find there are alternative climate control options that better suit your home. Consider these different types of home heating systems.
- Geothermal heat pump. This type of heat pump draws heat from an underground source. Because the ground holds heat much better than the air does, geothermal heat pumps are even more energy-efficient than air-source heat pumps. However, installation for these systems can be expensive—yet the monthly energy savings can end up paying for the system within 5 to 10 years.
- Active solar heating. This heating system includes solar panels to convert sunlight to electricity that can heat a supply of water or air. The heated water through the tubing to warm the house, while the air blows through a fan. Most systems also allow the warmth to be collected and stored during the day so it can be used during cooler nighttime temperatures.
Find Professional Atlanta HVAC Services
Do you prefer the versatility and low carbon footprint of heat pumps? Is a ductless mini-split better for you? Or perhaps you prefer heat to soak into your toes from your flooring.
Whatever system you choose, our certified Cunningham Associates technicians can expertly install your new HVAC or offer heater repair in Fulton County. Give us a call at 770-343-7565 or request service online.