Energy-Efficient Alternatives for Residential Heating

When most people hear of indoor comfort, they think of exceptional décor and optimal ventilation. These are no doubt essential for the comfort of your home, but they will do little without some warmth in your interiors. Several alternatives now exist for indoor heating. Some of these are, unfortunately, expensive and require high energy amounts to run efficiently.

Fortunately, there are now several solutions that minimize costs like those associated with local furnace repair in Modesto CA without affecting your indoor heating. These are energy-efficient heating options that no longer cost as much as they might have in the past and guarantee the highest energy savings. Here is a guide to help you pick the right alternative.

Furnaces

These are among the most popular heating alternative. Furnaces have been around for some time, but newer models come with better AFUE ratings that guarantee optimal energy efficiency. Most models, in fact, have ratings of over 92% compared to older furnaces with AFUE ratings of 50-65%. The most common furnaces are those that run on electricity and gas. This is because of the abundance of natural gas, even in remote places and its low cost. Electricity, on the other hand, generates no toxic by-products when powering your furnace. You will thus not need another energy-consuming appliance for removing hazardous elements in your home.

Boilers

These will heat your home by generating hot water that will be circulated through radiators and pipes running in your interiors. Boilers are also rated according to their energy efficiency in AFUE. New boilers have ratings of up to 95%. Condensing boilers are the ideal one for those looking for the highest energy efficiency. These have a second heat exchanger that will extract the heat from their exhaust gases then vent the gas outdoors. This way, you will recover some of the heat lost in exhaust gases and ventilation.

Heat Pumps

These are considered the most energy-efficient indoor heating appliance. They get heat from the outdoors in winter and convey it throughout your interiors for warming. In hot months, they collect the heat in your interiors and dump it outside. Heat pumps do not run on fossil fuels and they use minimal electricity meaning their exhaust gases are eco-friendly. You can choose between electric, air and geothermal heat pumps for your home. They nonetheless work best in moderate climates.

Masonry Heaters

These work by heating wood then trapping the generated heat in a brick chamber before slowly distributing it throughout your interiors. They will burn less wood compared to traditional fireplaces and stoves and thus generate minimal pollution while using minimal fuel. Their installation cost is expensive though this primarily depends on your home’s size and layout.

Indoor heating for some time was synonymous with high energy bills. Most people, therefore, still assume that indoor heating is meant for those who have money to spare. With the above alternatives, this is thankfully no longer the case. Even so, these heating solutions, like all appliances, need periodic maintenance and prompt repair to keep them functioning as their manufacturers intended. Negating these will increase your energy costs and affect the durability of your appliance.