Furnace Alternatives for Heating Your Home

When it gets cold outside, it’s common to find yourself turning up the thermostat to stay warm in your house. Selecting the appropriate kind of home heating system may reduce thermostat load and contribute to energy conservation. The objective of all heating systems is to distribute heat to living areas in order to keep them cozy and warm. However, there are several factors to consider when choosing the right method to heat your home. This blog will walk you through some of the most common alternatives to conventional furnaces.

How Does a Furnace Work?

A furnace operates by pushing heated air through a system of ducts, which then use grills or air registers to distribute the warm air to each room in the house. Fuel oil, natural gas, or electricity can all power it.

Types of Furnaces

• Gas
• Oil
• Electric

How Much Does Using a Furnace Cost Detroit Homeowners?

The average yearly cost of a gas heater and central air conditioner is $875, according to Energy Star. That works up to almost $73 a month. Depending on where you reside and the year-round climate there, this amount may change. This is what drives many homeowners to seek out alternative heating solutions that help lower the cost.

Why Use Alternative Heating?

• It can save you money.
• It is more environmentally friendly than a furnace.
• It can help ensure your heating system is compliant with regulations.

Residential Heating System Alternatives

Boilers

Conventional boiler and radiator systems are common in older homes and apartments. They use a central boiler to send water or steam to radiator units throughout the house. They are effective for localized heating and cooling but less efficient for heating larger rooms simultaneously. Fuel sources include electricity, propane, natural gas, fuel oil, and biodiesel mixtures. They provide cozy heat without drying out the air but cannot be connected to an HVAC system.

Radiant Heat

Radiant heat is found beneath your flooring. This transfers heat to the body rather than the air, especially if the heat is coming from the floor. There’s no need to extend ducting from your furnace since radiant heat works great for expansions. Sidewalks and driveways may also be heated with radiant heat, saving you the trouble of shoveling.

Geothermal

Geothermal systems cost more upfront than conventional furnaces. But you will recoup your investment because of their exceptional energy efficiency. These systems heat or cool your home by drawing energy from the earth’s temperature. This is one of the most environmentally friendly ways that you can heat your home.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are a contemporary type of home heating system that transfers heat from the surrounding air into the house via an air handler. It runs on natural gas or electricity in the summer and may be turned to air conditioning mode. It is ineffective in very cold locations but provides accurate temperature control without the need for ducting.

Ductless Mini Splits

Ductless mini splits are a common type of heat pump system. Their versatile design lets you place them in different rooms throughout the home and allows you to customize each room.

What About Dual Fuel Systems?

A dual-fuel system runs a heat pump and a gas furnace together, with the heat pump being used more effectively in milder weather. This effectively combines the advantages of heat pumps and gas furnaces. The moment the outside temperature drops, the system automatically transitions to the gas furnace. In addition to providing the most comfort possible, this allows homes to save the most money by alternating between a gas furnace and a heat pump, depending on which is currently more energy-efficient.

Is Wood Burning Still a Good Idea for Home?

If you love the physical aspect of piling wood and refueling your stove or furnace, wood heating might make a lot of sense, especially if you live in a remote setting. The cost of wood is typically less than that of gas, oil, or electricity. Cutting your own wood might result in significant cost savings. In certain regions of the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented laws governing the emissions of pollutants from wood stoves due to wood-burning pollutants. However, newer models burn extremely clean as a result.

Pellet stoves have several benefits compared to wood stoves. They provide customers with more convenience, temperature control, and indoor air quality at a lower pollution level.

Always Use Caution With Space Heaters

Portable electric heaters, such as oil-filled and quartz-infrared models, are inexpensive but costly to use. They convert electric current from the wall socket into heat, similar to a toaster or clothing iron. However, they require a significant amount of electricity to deliver the same amount of useful heat as natural gas or oil. A 1,500-watt plug-in heater uses almost the entire capacity of a 15-amp branch circuit, and adding too much load can trip the circuit breaker or blow the fuse. 

Operating a 1,500-watt unit costs 1.5 times your electricity cost, making it more expensive than its purchase price. However, for intermittent use, it is the least bad solution when alternatives require major investments in ductwork. Electric resistance heat is usually the most expensive form of heat and is seldom recommended.

Trust Flame Furnace Company for Heating Services

Furnace and alternative heating services have been offered in the Detroit area by FLAME Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical for more than 70 years. Any heating problem may be diagnosed by our skilled professionals, who can also identify and fix the underlying causes. We take great satisfaction in prioritizing our customers, which is why we provide financing alternatives, transparent pricing, available maintenance plans, and a commitment to providing exceptional service.

Look no further than us if you need complete home heating alternatives. We provide services for furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, and ductless mini splits. For furnace installation, repair, and maintenance in Detroit, Michigan, call FLAME Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical at (586) 271-0884.