A wide range of modern heating technologies are available. Let’s explore their advantages and disadvantages and why they may or may not be the ideal choice for your home.
Furnaces
Forced-air furnaces are still the most common way to heat American homes. Fuel-burning furnaces are the most popular. They cost more initially than electric furnaces but save money long term. That’s due to fuel costs and, potentially, energy incentives. Furnaces provide a hot heat that many people find comfortable. They also deliver consistent heating output no matter the ambient temperature.
Furnaces are ducted systems. That means that they’re prone to air leakage. The Department of Energy estimates that leakage is between 20% and 40% in the average home. With fuel-burning models, there are safety concerns. These systems produce toxic gases, which makes annual inspections and cleaning very important. You must also have carbon monoxide detectors that you maintain regularly.
Boilers
Boilers are the second-most popular way to heat American homes in Northern climates. As with furnaces, you have the choice of electric or fuel-burning, and the pros and cons are the same there. Natural gas is the most popular option. If you lack access, you’ll have to store propane or fuel oil on your property.
The big advantage a boiler has over a furnace is that there’s no forced air. You won’t experience a loss of efficiency or comfort because of air leakage. There’s also no risk of negatively impacting air quality. Many people prefer the feel of radiant heating, and radiant floor panels provide arguably the most even heating available. The main downside is the initial cost. Wall radiators, baseboard radiators, and floor, wall, and ceiling panels can all add considerably to your costs.
Air-Source Heat Pumps
Air-source heat pumps outsold furnaces for the first time in the U.S. in 2023. These systems function quite differently from furnaces and boilers. They’re essentially central air conditioners with a reversing valve. That valve lets the refrigeration cycle run in reverse to provide heating instead of cooling.
Heat pumps are highly efficient and more affordable to run than furnaces most of the time. The downside is that heat pumps have a cold temperature threshold at which they’re no longer efficient. Mid-efficiency models aren’t practical in colder climates as standalone solutions. There are high-efficiency systems that are, but those can be expensive. An alternative is hybrid heating.
Hybrid Heating
Hybrid heating systems or dual-fuel heat pumps solve the cold temperature problem for colder and even moderate climates. These configurations have both an air-source heat pump and a furnace. Fuel-burning furnaces are most common in these setups, but electric is an option, too.
The heat pump provides the home cooling. It also provides heat most of the time. When the temperature drops too low for it to be efficient, the furnace takes over. The biggest downside to this approach is that it can be expensive to purchase and install. If you can afford that investment, the advantage is that it can save you considerably over the life of the equipment.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Air-source heat pumps function by transferring heat to and from the ambient air. Geothermal heat pumps, on the other hand, transfer it to and from the ground. The upside here is that heat in the ground is much more consistent and abundant. That means geothermal heat pumps are suitable as standalone heating solutions in colder climates. The downside is that the equipment and installation are expensive. As with hybrid heating, if you can afford the investment, it will pay for itself over time.
Ductless Mini-Splits
A ductless mini-split that provides cooling and heating is a heat pump. The big difference is that it doesn’t have ducts. Instead, it has a dedicated indoor unit for each zone. Inherent HVAC zoning is the big advantage here. It’s much more energy efficient. The downside is that individual indoor units can add significantly to the cost, especially in larger homes.
Would You Like to Upgrade Your Home’s Heating in Illinois?
Bratcher Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. has been a residential and commercial HVAC company since 1983. We have locations in Champaign, East Peoria, and Normal, IL. Our HVAC technicians specialize in gas and electric furnaces and boilers, air-source and geothermal heat pumps, air conditioners, and ductless mini-splits. We perform new installations, conversions, and direct replacements. Our team installs and services whole-home air purifiers, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers. We install and service gas and electric fireplaces, too. Call today or contact us online to schedule a heating service appointment or an on-site consultation.
