It Cost What? Understanding the importance of efficiency when choosing your heating type
When it comes to heating your home, efficiency is probably on your mind. No one wants to pay high bills just to stay warm, or shiver in their house just to save money. However, upgrading your system or appliances can cause sticker shock at first. Don’t fret, because what you don’t see is the long-term savings and efficiency these upgraded units provide.
Gas Stoves & Inserts
Nearly half of U.S. homes are heated by natural gas. The fossil fuel is plentiful and efficient in heating homes. Gas stoves and fireplace inserts are a great choice for busy people, as it provides the heat and comfort without the maintenance of its wood-burning counterpart. Gas units are also subject to stringent efficiency standards, so you know you are getting quality heat when warming your house. The latest models have some features that can aid in efficiency, such as thermostat control, fans to distribute warm air, and even remote control options to make it easy to adjust without moving from the couch.
Electric Stoves & Inserts
Electric heat has a 95% to 100% efficiency. With that in mind, why wouldn’t you have an electric stove or an electric insert in your fireplace? These models are relatively inexpensive to purchase and install. Most people already have electricity hooked up in their home, for obvious reasons such as lighting and operating devices such as televisions, decorations, and to charge portable devices. Don’t forget about the eye-catching flame and smoke effects that give a realistic feel to the stoves and inserts without the safety concerns.
Wood or Pellet Central Heating and Stoves
Using wood or wood pellets is a popular option, especially in a rural setting where you might be able to cut your own wood. This can make the savings significant. Because the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pays close attention to pollutants from wood burning, newer models of central heating units and stoves have been upgraded to be quite clean-burning, adding to their efficiency. In particular, wood pellets are convenient, and offer better temperature control and indoor air quality.
Boilers
Having a boiler instead of a furnace might not be as popular, but it has the advantage of control. With a boiler, it is easy to set up zones in your house, where there can be a thermostat for every room or a section of the house. This way, you can adjust the temperature in the area you are in to stay warm, while the rest of the house might be on a cooler setting until it’s time for bed. We have furnaces and boilers for coal on sale, and we can give you an estimate if this is something you are looking to install.
Homeowners have many options when it comes to heating their house efficiently. If you are looking for a new fireplace or stove, or needing a cleaning or repair on your current unit, contact AES Hearth and Patio for service in Harrisburg, Camp Hill, Carlisle & Central PA.
