Finding the Best Heating Solutions Now!
Determining the best heating system for your home can be a complex process with many options to evaluate. Choosing the wrong heating solutions can lead to inconsistent temperatures, high energy bills, and overall discomfort. Follow this comprehensive guide to identify the best heating sources, enhance specific rooms, boost efficiency, and effectively heat water throughout your home.
Step 1: Evaluate Heating Systems for the Whole House
The primary heating system you choose for your home will provide baseline warmth throughout the coldest months. Carefully weigh the pros and cons of each major type of whole-house heating system:
Radiators
Radiators are commonly used with boiler systems to distribute hot water and heating via piping situated throughout a home. They offer fairly even and consistent heating given their strategic placement in multiple rooms. Radiators are controlled using thermostatic valves on each unit, giving you some control over temperatures in different areas. However, radiators can take up valuable wall space. They also aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing heating units, unless you invest in stylish or decorative covers.
Heated Floors
Heated floors have become an increasingly popular way to warm an entire home. This system uses electric heating cables or hot water pipes situated beneath flooring materials to gently heat the floor itself. Heated floors provide steady ambient warmth and the warmth radiates upwards. The lack of visible radiators or vents maintains a streamlined look. However, installation costs are quite high for heated floor systems. This option only makes sense if you’re renovating or constructing a new home from the ground up. Retrofitting heated floors in an existing home would be very labor intensive.
Forced Air Furnaces
Forced air furnace systems utilize ductwork running throughout a home to push heated air into different rooms via vents. The circulating airflow can heat spaces relatively quickly. However, potential downsides include conspicuous vent covers detracting from decor. The location of vents can also lead to uneven hot and cold spots in a room. Running and cutting off the fan can create unwanted noise and drafts. Proper maintenance is crucial as well to keep forced air furnaces operating efficiently and preventing breakdowns. Operating costs are moderate for gas forced air systems.
Electric Heating
Standalone electric heating includes options like electric baseboard heaters, electric wall heaters, or portable electric radiators. These systems use electricity to directly produce heat. Electric heating can be relatively inexpensive to install as a supplemental heating source in certain rooms. However, using too much electric heat can result in very high energy bills. Portable electric space heaters are a good option for zone heating certain areas only when occupied, not heating an entire house. Ensure electrical systems can handle the load if installing multiple electric heaters.
When evaluating whole home heating system options, carefully consider:
- Energy efficiency – Some systems like air source heat pumps can provide the same amount of heat while using less energy compared to electric or gas heating. Prioritize energy efficiency to help lower monthly heating bills.
- Energy prices – Compare gas vs. electric rates in your local area. This can help determine which heating source will be more budget friendly over time.
- Installation costs – Certain whole home systems like heated floors or hydronic radiators require major renovations which adds to upfront costs.
- Your overall budget – Find the optimal balance between energy savings, convenience, warmth, and costs when selecting your primary heating system.
“Moving beyond just the purchase price when choosing a heating system and focusing on the total lifetime costs and ROI can steer you towards the best long-term investment.”
Step 2: Enhance Heating in Specific Rooms
Once your main home heating source is decided and installed, you can further customize warmth and comfort in specific rooms using these heating solutions:
Bathrooms
Bathrooms can feel chilly with just the whole home heating system. Installing heated towel rails provides extra ambient warmth to make bathrooms cosy. Heated towel rails also keep towels conveniently warm for when you step out of the shower. Position heated towel rails near bathtubs or sinks for easy access. Install them on a wall opposite a window, as heat will dissipate quickly near cold window glass.
Bedrooms
Bedrooms need to maintain comfortable temperatures overnight for a restful sleep. To supplement central heating, install standalone radiators or electric heaters in bedrooms for extra warmth. Radiators with programmable thermostats allow you to easily control the temperature at night. Portable electric heaters can also be moved wherever needed. Just be sure to choose energy efficient models.
Living Spaces
The main living spaces where family gathers like living rooms should stay evenly heated. Hide away unsightly radiators by building covers around them or recessing them into walls. Baseboard heating is also an unobtrusive option for living rooms. Select programmable or smart thermostats to easily regulate temperatures in these high-traffic areas.
Zone Heating
Zone heating involves separating your home into distinct zones with different heating systems. For example, install radiant heated floors specifically in bedrooms for consistent warmth underfoot. Use baseboard heaters or radiators in the living room. This allows you to only heat occupied spaces when needed, without running the central system. Zone heating prevents overheating unused rooms, thereby cutting energy costs.
| Room | Supplemental Heating Solutions |
|---|---|
| Bathroom | Heated towel rails |
| Bedrooms | Electric or hydronic radiators |
| Living Spaces | Baseboard heaters, radiators |
“Strategically heating select rooms or zones in your home as needed allows you to maximize comfort and minimize energy waste.”
Step 3: Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
Beyond installing the right heating systems, you can also optimize your home to further lock in heat and minimize energy expenditure:
Insulate Walls and Attics
Prevent valuable heat from leaking out and cold air from seeping in by sealing air leaks and properly insulating your home. Add insulation in attics, basements and crawl spaces for sure. Insulating exterior walls also provides excellent comfort and efficiency. This involves more work but pays off in energy savings. After insulating, rooms will stay warmer longer without the heating system running constantly.
Install High-Performance Windows
Any windows that are still single-paned should be upgraded to double or triple-paned, energy efficient models. This reduces drafts as well as heat loss through the glass. Proper weatherstripping should also be added around windows to seal air leaks. South facing windows allow beneficial solar heat gain during colder months.
Use Programmable or Smart Thermostats
Replacing old thermostats with programmable or smart thermostats gives you greater control over home heating. Programmable thermostats can be scheduled to lower temperatures when no one is home and increase it just before you return. Smart thermostats like Nest learn your patterns and automatically adjust temps for comfort and savings.
Seal Ductwork
For homeowners with forced air heating systems, ensure all ductwork is tightly sealed to avoid heated air leaks. Use mastic sealant on all duct joints and connections. Insulate ducts passing through unheated areas as well. Properly sealing ducts maximizes airflow and heat delivery to each room. Annual duct inspections help spot loose segments that need resealing.
Upgrade to Higher Efficiency Systems
If your current heating system is outdated or inefficient, consider upgrading it for optimal energy savings. Install a newer boiler or furnace with an efficiency rating of 90% or higher. Or replace electric baseboard units with more advanced systems like dual fuel air source heat pumps.
“Sealing air leaks, adding insulation, and upgrading equipment can reduce home heating bills by 20% or more annually.”
Step 4: Effective Water Heating Techniques
Heating water to flow from taps and showers adds to home energy costs. Use these tips to optimize your water heating efficiency:
Install a Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters instantly heat water as needed instead of storing heated water in a tank. This avoids standby heat loss associated with tank models. Tankless heaters provide a consistent, endless supply of hot water on demand. Natural gas tankless heaters offer more energy savings than electric models.
Insulate Pipes
Insulating hot water pipes reduces valuable heat loss as hot water travels from the water heater to faucets and showers. Foam pipe insulation wraps easily around existing pipes throughout the home. Pre-insulated pipes can also be installed when building or renovating.
Repair Leaks
Dripping faucets and leaking pipes waste tremendous amounts of water and energy. Routinely check for leaks and immediately repair any found. Watch for high water bills as a clue of silent leaks. Shutting off water to unused appliances will also curb wastage.
Install Recirculating Pumps
Hot water recirculating pumps push water through a loop between the water heater and fixtures. This primes the pipes with hot water so it reaches faucets more quickly when activated. Recirculation systems provide convenience while saving water.
“Water heating accounts for 14-18% of home energy costs. Optimizing your water heating systems reduces related energy expenditures.”
Key Takeaways for the Best Heating Solutions
- For even whole home heating, choose energy efficient systems like hydronic radiators, heat pumps or high-efficiency furnaces.
- Add supplemental heating sources like heated towel racks and electric radiators in rooms needing extra warmth.
- Improve energy efficiency via insulation, high-performance windows, programmable thermostats, and sealing ductwork.
- For endless hot water, install tankless water heaters and recirculating pumps. Insulate pipes to retain heat.
Following these steps for evaluating heating options, enhancing specific rooms, boosting efficiency, and optimizing water heating will help you identify the ideal heating solutions for your home. Focus on energy savings and targeted warmth to stay comfortable while reducing energy bills.
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It is crucial to seek guidance from the manufacturer and a certified professional for the installation process to ensure safety and compliance with all technical specifications and requirements. Proper installation is key to the optimal performance and longevity of the product.
Additionally, professional installation may be necessary to maintain the product’s warranty. Therefore, it is highly recommended to consult with experts and not attempt to install the product yourself unless you are qualified to do so.
