There are different central heating installation options to choose from. We’ll look at the most common ones we install in Boise-area homes. If your current heating system often needs repairs, is noisy, old, or requires frequent thermostat adjustments, it should be replaced. Increasingly higher utility bills mean you’re likely to save with a new central heater. Once you’ve decided to replace it, the next step is to decide what type of system to install.
Here are our top 3 central heating installation options:
Gas Furnaces
Forced-air furnaces are among the most common heating systems installed in U.S. homes. A power source is required to ignite the burners. Once they’re lit, the flames increase the temperature of a heat exchanger, which heats the air that passes through. This air is then blown by a fan into ductwork and distributed throughout your entire home.
There are also different types of gas furnaces, each with its unique benefits and challenges:
- Natural Gas Furnaces: These are quite common and generally safe and reliable. They’ve also become more efficient. Affordability is a bonus for homeowners, as there are many models to choose from. However, the availability of local fuel sources, the need for ductwork and annual inspections, and the size of the equipment are important considerations.
- Propane Furnaces: Suited for rural homes without access to natural gas, a propane furnace uses fuel stored in a tank. The tank must be refilled by a qualified service provider. But propane isn’t hard to find and new propane furnaces can be over 98% efficient. However, they can be more expensive to operate than natural gas models.
- Oil Furnaces: Heating oil is generally accessible when you don’t have a natural gas fuel source. While generally more expensive than natural gas or propane units, oil furnaces are better suited for cold environments and use the same ductwork to circulate heat. An oil storage tank must be installed outside your home.
Electric-Powered Furnaces
If you don’t have a natural gas line, another heating option is an electric furnace. It’s compact compared to a gas unit and is less expensive to install than other central heating installation options. However, an electric furnace is not as efficient, and the cost of electricity can make the unit more expensive to operate.
The system can be cost-effective if electricity isn’t as expensive in your area. This type of furnace produces heat using electric heating elements. A power relay controls the amount of power that runs through the furnace, while a transformer controls voltage. The system is wired directly to a circuit breaker in your main service panel. It does not need a flue pipe or chimney, nor does it use fossil fuels or produce carbon emissions. Therefore, an electric furnace is a good option if you’re looking to use clean, renewable energy.
Heat Pumps
A heat pump is an efficient central heating installation option that takes heat from outside air to warm your home. It can extract heat even during a cold day in Boise. But a heat pump isn’t only for protecting you from the cold; it can also work in reverse to cool your home. Reversing the refrigerant flow enables it to remove heat from indoors and release it outside.
Your two main options for installing a heat pump include:
- Ducted Heat Pumps: These central heat pumps are configured similarly to a traditional HVAC system. Most can connect to existing ductwork. Yet they’re still more efficient than standard heating and cooling systems. However, a central air-source heat pump often requires a backup heat source.
- Ductless Heat Pumps: Mini splits feature an outdoor unit connected by copper lines to one or more indoor units. They eliminate the need for ductwork and are more energy-efficient and easier to maintain. Installing multiple indoor units allows you to benefit from zoning or controlling the temperature of different rooms or areas independently.
Ductless heating systems are easier and less expensive to install than other options. Efficiency is improved because there are no ducts, which can be a source of air leaks and heat loss. This saves a great deal of energy. Therefore, a ductless heat pump can significantly reduce your energy bills.
A geothermal heat pump is a source of clean energy. It requires setting up a series of underground pipes. A horizontal system requires a significant amount of space, while a vertical system less, but it requires digging deep into the ground. Fluid passed through the channels enables the system to move heat to where it’s needed.
Which type of central heating system is right for you? An experienced professional can assess your home and advise you on what may be most effective and efficient.
Hire Express Plumbing for Central Heating Installation
The heating installation professionals at Express Plumbing can help you decide on one of the options we’ve discussed. They perform a thorough evaluation of your home to assess your heating needs and find the best type of system for you. Each step of the process is carefully executed. Your heating system is then inspected and tested to ensure it works flawlessly. To learn more about the most energy-efficient, eco-friendly central heating installation options in Boise, ID, call (208) 427-3135 today.
