There are a lot of factors to consider when heating and cooling your Decatur, Alabama area home. During the summer, temperatures and humidity reach uncomfortable levels, which may even be unhealthy for some populations. While Decatur typically doesn’t experience harsh winters, heating is still a necessity during the winter months.
Choosing the right HVAC system may seem like a daunting task. Many people turn to window air conditioners, but the electric costs can add up if using more than one unit to cool a home.
Space heaters may seem like a cheap option that you can pick up at your local hardware store, but they can raise your energy bill considerably, especially when used throughout a season to heat a room. In fact, they can add 2 to 3 dollars per day to your energy bill.
The right HVAC system can help save on energy costs in the long run and keep you and your family comfortable year-round. Here are some popular options.
Standard Furnace
A standard furnace is the most common in homes. Usually, they’re powered with gas, like some ovens, and a fan forces heated air through ducts and to every part of your home. This is called a forced-air system.
Air conditioning units can be added to such systems, and AC units can use the forced-air system to cool your home as well.
The pros of this system is its ability to heat and cool a home using the same system. However, it can be more difficult to control the temperature of each individual room.
Boilers
Boilers use the power of water to heat a home or building. They can use gas or electricity to boil water, and then distribute the heat through a series of pipes.
It’s possible to use a boiler system to only heat a specific area of a home or building. However, the upfront installation costs for boilers can be higher than that of other systems.
Ductless Mini-Split System
If the goal is to simply heat one room of a home or part of a home at one time, a mini-split, ductless system may be the way to go. These systems use no ducts, but rather a heat-pump style system that works through a single wall. They transfer rather than produce heat, leading to lower energy costs.
A single outdoor unit can support multiple indoor units. Using several ductless mini-split units in a home can allow a homeowner to have a different temperature in each room.
Heat Pump
Heat pumps work well in climates that don’t typically see dramatic temperature changes during the year, such as in northern Alabama. They only use a small amount of energy to pull cooler air from the ground during the summer, and to pull warmer air from the home in the summer. In the right climate, they can help save on energy costs, and there’s no need to install a separate cooling system.
Find the Right Heating and Cooling System for You
We’re here at Southeastern Mechanical Services to help you find the right type of heating and cooling system for your home or commercial property. Each choice has pros and cons, and every property has different heating and cooling needs. Contact us today with any questions you may have about which type of system is right for you.
