When we talk about heating systems, most people tend to assume we mean forced-air furnaces, which are common here in Portland, OR, as well as being quite practical. But they’re not the only type of heating system out there. Every home is different, and the needs of your family might vary widely from the needs of your neighbors. Alternate models of heating exist, and if you’re in the market for a new system, you might want to consider one of them.
Here’s a quick breakdown of some options, along with a list of the pros and cons of each.
- Gas Furnaces. The “go-to” model for home heating uses natural gas to feed burners that pass heat into the air through a heat exchanger. They are inexpensive to run and simple to use, though they can create drafts and aren’t always as energy efficient as they could be.
- Electric Furnaces. Electric furnaces are similar to gas furnaces, save that they use heated coils to warm the air. They cost more to run than gas furnaces, but they don’t require gas piping (making them good for rural homes) and are comparatively inexpensive to install.
- Heat Pumps. These systems combine the effects of a heater and an air conditioner into one unit. They tend to be cheaper to run in the winter than other forms of electric heating, since they rely on reusable refrigerant to generate heat.
- Ductless Heating. Ductless systems adopt a decentralized approach, with multiple small heating units spaced throughout your home. They cost more to install than most other types of heating systems, but provide more precise levels of control (allowing you to heat and cool individual sections of the home separately), as well as saving you money by letting you heat only select parts of the house.
Call the friendly pros at Western Heating & Cooling to discuss your options!