Tips for Choosing the Right Heating System

To maximize the efficiency of the heating unit, set the thermostat to 18 - 20°C in winter.

If you want to get through your winters without freezing from the cold, then a heating system is very important. You will need to check your existing heating system, and repair it if required, much before winter sets in. But if your heating unit is very old and requires a lot of maintenance, then it is better to get a new one.

A new furnace will not only save you the money you spend on maintenance, but will also give you a warmer house and better features. To get the best heating unit for your house, you have to research the various brands and models available in the market before buying one.

In this Home Hacks story, we give you a list of a few important points that will help you to choose the right heating unit for your home.

Before selecting the right furnace, there are many things you need to consider that will make your choice not only easy, but appropriate as well. These points will help you save money, and get you the perfect heating unit.

If you want just one or two rooms to be warm, then a small heating system, or a room heater is enough to maintain the required temperature. But if you want to keep the entire house warm, then you need to install a centralized heating system. It is very important to select the right-sized heating system for your room to avoid energy loss and save fuel.

You cannot expect a small heating system to heat up a large room, and heating a small room with the help of a large heater will only cause unnecessary energy loss.

The next thing you have to decide is the fuel type. You can select between oil, gas, and electric heating pumps, as they are considered the best for centralized air heating. As electric heaters are considered the most environment-friendly heaters and have 100% efficiency, you can easily go for them.

But if your area has electricity problems, then selecting an electric heater is not a wise decision. So, consider every detail before deciding the fuel type for your heating system.

It is very important to consider the efficiency of any device. In heaters, efficiency is the amount of energy converted into heat. Higher efficiency means better functioning. The cost of the fuel is inversely proportional to the efficiency of the furnace. As the efficiency decreases, the cost of fuel increases.

Electric furnaces are considered 100% efficient as the amount of electricity which is consumed is completely transformed into heat. Some gas furnace are super-efficient or high-efficient as they have two or more heat exchangers and recover more heat than normal gas furnaces. Always go for heaters with high efficiency.

It is very important to get a heating system according to the area to be heated. Hence, to get a properly sized heating unit, you need to calculate the home's heating requirements (BTU/hr). This helps you to avoid energy loss, saves you from spending extra on an oversize unit, and can help you understand the insulation requirement of the house.

Calculating BTU/hr is bit lengthy, but if you know the calculation and have time, then you can calculate it on your own. Others can take help from a professional. Many companies provide professional advice to calculate the heat requirement of the house.

Once you install the heating system, the next thing to keep in mind is the duct system. Decide where you will place ducts even before you install the heating system. Do not locate ducts in areas of the house that are rarely visited, as it will result in loss of energy.

You should also check the entire duct system for air leakages, and seal such areas if any. Once the duct system is ready, you can move on to the thermostat. Choose a thermostat according to your requirement.

A clock thermostat, for example, can be set to operate at different temperatures at different times, like at a higher temperature in the night and a lower temperature in the mornings. This is necessary to prevent overheating and loss of energy.

One of the most important things to keep in mind while installing heating or cooling systems is insulation. Proper insulation helps you save money on fuel, minimizes energy loss, keeps your house warmer, and even heats the area quickly.

The efficiency of the unit depends a lot on insulation. Insulate the ducts if they are installed outside the heating area. Many companies provide insulation along with the heating unit. So, get your house insulated properly.

Once you have decided what type of heating system you want, talk to at least 3 dealers and get quotes for the unit. Include other things required apart from the heating system, like insulation, duct pipes, radiators, etc.

This will help you get the right product at best price. Cost of high-efficiency furnaces will be higher, but it will save your money in the long run, and will also fulfill the heating load.

Keep doors and windows closed, especially when the system is working, and avoid placing ducts near windows. Turn the heating unit off when you are not at home, and turn off the ducts for rooms which are not used. Keep these small things in mind to increase the efficiency of the heating unit.

Following the points given in this article will help you get the right heating system and stay warm.