Heating Your Home with the Right Heating System

If you've spent any time living in Virginia, you know by now Mother Nature doesn't always wait until winter to bring us subfreezing temperatures. Heating your home can come as early as September or October, depending on the year.

If this happens, it could catch you and your heating system off guard. We often don't think about the state of our heating system until the very moment we need it most. Unfortunately, this is also the most common time to discover your central heating system has issues or needs repairs.

Before we get to the cold winter months, now is the optimal time to consider scheduling a maintenance visit for your heating system. And if you've already been considering upgrading your central heating system, it's best to do it now rather than wait until it's too cold to be without heat.

Different Types of Heating Systems

If you're thinking about upgrading your heating system, here is some information to help you learn about the options available to you.

Heat Pump System

By using metal coils, a fan and refrigerant, heat pumps utilize heat from outside your home and transfer it indoors. Heat pumps are a very energy-efficient way to heat your home. They work by moving heat instead of burning fuel to generate it. A heat pump system also works best in a moderate climate like we have in Virginia.

Typically, heat pumps last around 15 years with proper maintenance, but newer models can last upwards of 25 years. Additionally, heat pumps are great money-saving investments. While the installation fee can vary, heat pumps are an affordable way to heat and cool a home without racking up expensive electricity bills.

Boilers

Many older homes still use boiler systems for heat. If maintained properly, they are very reliable and durable because they have fewer moving parts than newer heating systems. There are two types of boilers, steam and hot water -- the main difference is the amount of energy used.

  • Steam - Steam boilers must use more fuel to heat water to a boiling level making them less energy efficient than hot water boilers. However, steam is more efficient when it comes to the transfer of heat. This makes steam boilers ideal for homes with poor insulation.
  • Hot water - Hot water boilers work by moving hot water through a network of pipes. While they may be up to 25% more energy efficient than steam boilers, hot water boilers may require extra accessories like an expansion tank, a circulator and a flow check valve. More accessories mean more maintenance.

Furnaces

The most significant benefit of a furnace is that it will heat a home in any condition, making it ideal for regions that experience extremely cold temperatures. They are also generally less costly upfront than a heat pump. Furnaces work by blowing heated air throughout the house via a duct system. There are a few different types of furnaces, including electric, natural gas and fuel oil systems.

  • Gas/oil furnace - Within a gas or oil-fired furnace, fuel is mixed with air and burned. The heat created is transferred to air, which is then pushed through the ductwork.
  • Electric furnace - An electric furnace is similar to a gas or oil-fired furnace, except it creates heat with electric heating elements. In simple terms, it works like a giant hair dryer. It has a blower that draws air in where electric heat elements warm the air and push it through a system of ductwork.

Heating Your Home

With numerous options available, it's worth looking into which type of heating system is best for you and your family. Not all homes are built the same, making some heating systems better than others. Additionally, central heating systems do require ongoing maintenance and eventual replacements. If your heating system is older than 25 years, it may be time to look into upgrading.

If your heating system needs maintenance, repairs, or an upgrade, the experts at Bradley Mechanical can help you. We have affordable and energy-saving maintenance programs that can extend the life of any heating system and also offer a variety of energy-efficient heating systems. With over 50 years of experience in helping to keep homes warm and comfortable in Virginia, you can count on us to improve your heating system.

Don't wait until the snow and ice arrive - switch over to a better heating system with us now. Give us a call at (804) 748-6728 to learn more!

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