Updated August 2023
Your indoor comfort is easy to neglect until you and your family are suddenly uncomfortably cold. Once your heating system stops working efficiently, it’s time to branch out and find other HVAC systems that can match your needs. Heat pumps, for example, are a modern way to provide your home with heat while keeping your monthly costs low. Keep reading to learn more about heat pumps in comparison with electric heating systems.
Electric Heat
Electric heating systems often refer to either furnaces or baseboard heaters. Even at maximum efficiency, these systems will still cost you more every month than a heat pump. They work like hair dryers by utilizing heat elements to create your home’s warmth. A forced-air system then pushes that heat into your ductwork where it’s distributed into your living areas.
Electric furnaces are often easy to install when you already have existing ductwork. Wall or baseboard units usually aren’t used as a home’s sole form of heat. They instead act as supplementary suppliers to your furnace unless your home is very small. Heated baseboard installations are particularly helpful if you’re building new add-ons to your home that aren’t connected to the ductwork.
Overall, electric furnaces can produce warmer air than heat pumps. They’re less expensive to install and don’t require as much maintenance as a gas furnace. Electric systems are also safer and more effective than gas-based systems. The higher monthly energy bills are often offset by the initially cheaper installation fees.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps use a little bit of electricity but not in the same way as electric heating systems. They instead work like refrigerators, moving heat from the cooler area outside your home into your living areas. These systems are renowned for their exceptional efficiency and low utility costs.
The three main types of heat pumps are air-to-air, water source, and ground source. New homes are traditionally built with air-to-air heat pumps because they’re the most convenient and easy to install. They transfer heat from the air, moving it from the local environment into your home. Air-source heat pumps have been used for decades but have only recently been improved for winter use.
Water-source heat pumps get their heat from nearby water sources. Geothermal heat pumps work by taking heat from the ground below your home’s foundation. While both of these options tend to be very reliable, they can be harder and more expensive to install. Air-to-air heat pumps are usually the best choice for the average residence.
Heat pumps can also work as air conditioners during the summer. They can function as much more consistent dehumidifiers than traditional central AC units. Heat pumps don’t need nearly as much energy as an electric heat system. If you live in a particularly cold environment, they may raise your costs substantially if you require backup heat strips. However, a properly sized heat pump will keep your well-insulated home comfortable for a fraction of the cost of running a central electric furnace or baseboard system.
Choosing Your Heating System
Both electric heat options and heat pumps come with a variety of benefits that could improve your indoor comfort. The best one for your home depends on your budgetary restraints, location, and temperature needs. Both of these systems need modern, airtight ductwork to provide your home with efficient heat. Furnaces are typically installed in the basement while heat pumps come with an external unit like an air conditioner.
While heat pumps will cost you more initially, they’ll quickly begin saving you money month after month. Electric heaters will be less expensive to install but use up less energy than gas-based systems. Heat pumps and electric systems can easily last upwards of 15 years with routine care. If you’re not sure which system best suits your household, trust our HVAC technicians at My Guy Heating and Air, LLC to professionally evaluate your home’s heating needs.
Northern Colorado HVAC Company
My Guy Heating and Air, LLC is a top provider of residential and commercial HVAC services in Firestone, CO. For more than a decade, our team has been delivering outstanding customer service and high-quality workmanship. We uphold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and have a five-star Google rating. Let us repair, replace, or maintain your furnace, heat pump, air conditioner, or ductless system. We can also service your thermostat or install a whole-home air purifier or dehumidifier. Call My Guy Heating and Air, LLC today for dependable HVAC care you can trust.
