A few months ago, my air conditioner completely died. I woke up in the middle of the night covered in sweat, and I didn't know what to do. The next day, I called an HVAC expert, and they came out to inspect my system. It turned out that it had failed because of filthy filters and a clogged return duct, which made me sick to my stomach. I had caused the problem, and I needed to learn how to fix things. My HVAC professional taught me a few easy maintenance techniques that I didn't know before, so that I could maintain my new system. Check out this blog to learn more about HVAC yourself.
With winter chills giving way to warmer springtime temperatures, now is a good time to choose your next heating solution. With so many models and options to choose from, buying a new heater can seem daunting to new shoppers. Fortunately, you can rely on this quick guide to give you a helping hand.
1. Measure Up Your Home's Heating Needs First
Size is an often-ignored factor when it comes to buying a new heater. Buying a heater that's the wrong size for your home can have its consequences. An oversized heater will suffer from frequent short-cycling, for instance, resulting in increased wear and tear on heater components. An oversized heater will also use far more energy than needed for keeping your home comfortable.
Right-sizing your heater is the only way to ensure it effectively and efficiently heats your home. Your HVAC professional can accurately assess your home's heating needs with a Manual J load calculation. This process takes several variables into account, including your home's square footage, physical orientation, and insulation makeup.
2. Consider Your Available Fuel Options
The next step for choosing the right heater is to consider its primary fuel source. Natural gas is a popular choice among homeowners thanks to his low cost and high energy efficiency, but it may not be available in some areas. Propane offers a clean-burning substitute for homes without natural gas connections, but it's more expensive and requires scheduled refills.
Electric heaters are an attractive choice in areas where electricity costs are relatively low. Oil heating also offers a higher energy content than natural gas or propane, making it a popular choice for heating in colder climates.
3. Go For The Most Efficient Heater
Home heating makes up a sizable portion of energy usage in the United States, making it all the more important to choose an energy-efficient heating solution. According to recent statistics, space heating took up a staggering 41.5% of residential energy consumption in 2009. Choosing the most efficient heater can help you save more money on your overall heating costs.
If you're looking for an energy-efficient heater, your best bet is to find one with the highest annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating. A typical mid-efficiency furnace offers an AFUE rating of up to 85%, while high-efficiency heaters offer AFUE ratings of up to 98.5%. While energy-efficient heaters don't come cheap, the initial sticker shock often gives way to sizable savings on your monthly utility bills.
Contact a company like Astro Air Inc today for more information and assistance.
Share11 February 2019
