The US Department of Energy estimates that 42 percent of your annual energy goes towards heating your home. As providers of heating and cooling repair services near Niles, Il, we know firsthand that the type of heating system you use in your home impacts your energy level as well. Let’s break down boilers, furnaces and heat pumps to better understand the differences between the three.
Boilers
This type of heating system utilizes electricity to heat the water, then circulates the water throughout the house to keep radiators and radiant floors warm. One major positive about boilers is how consistent they are without providing air drafts throughout the home. Water contains heat better than air does, so energy costs with boilers are typically lower than other types of heating systems.
Furnaces
Furnaces utilize fuel or electricity in order to make your home comfortable. The heated air circulates through your home through a series of air ducts; these same ducts can be used for air conditioning as well. One disadvantage of furnaces is that air movements can cause your home to feel drafty. Furnaces also have filters that need to be changed on a regular basis in order to run at maximum efficiency.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps pull heat from the air or ground outside in order to heat your home. Because heat pumps collect heat instead of creating it, this is an extremely efficient type of system. Plus, heat pumps can handle both cooling and heating needs.
To learn more about the different ways you can heat your home, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.
