What kind of heating system is in your Waterford, MI home? It’s okay if you don’t know off the top of your head. Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing wants to help educate you a little bit, so you have this information going forward. It will help if you ever need to call us for repair or maintenance.
Forced air furnaces
These have become the most popular heating systems in part because the upfront cost is reasonable. Furnaces can burn natural gas (most common), propane, or fuel oil. There are also electric furnaces, but they are not the most efficient form of electric heat. More on that in a moment. The furnace burns fuel to heat the air and a powerful blower moves the heated air through ducts to all parts of the house. Furnaces are usually installed in closets, basements, crawlspaces, or attics. Whether it’s new construction or a heating replacement, our Kotz experts can help you decide which fuel type is best for your home.
Heat pumps
These are used for heating and cooling and are most common in moderate climates. Recent advances have made them a viable choice for heating even as far north as Waterford, MI. During the heating season, an electric air source heat pump removes heat from the outside air and moves it into the house. During the summer the process is reversed, and the air pump operates just like an air conditioner. Remember what I mentioned earlier? Heat pumps are the most efficient form of electric heat. If you’re unsure if you have a heat pump or stand-alone air conditioner, just check the manufacturer’s label or do an internet search based on the model number. Most heat pumps are forced air systems, but the same technology is used on what are called ductless mini split heat pumps. They deliver the conditioned air directly to specific areas without using ductwork.
Geothermal heating & cooling
This system also uses heat pump technology, but it’s called a ground source heat pump. They are incredibly efficient because they use the constant temperature of the soil just a few feet underground. Geothermal systems are very quiet because there’s no noisy compressor in the front or backyard. The biggest drawback is the relatively high upfront cost, but this type of heating replacement will pay dividends in much lower utility bills.
Radiant heat
If you have radiant heat you won’t have any ductwork and will have a boiler instead of a furnace. The boiler doesn’t heat the air, instead it heats water which is circulated either through radiators or tubes installed under the floor. The warmth from the water radiates throughout the home. In many cases the same boiler also provides hot water for the house. Just like a furnace, the boiler can burn a variety of fuels.
Kotz is here to help
If you have any questions about what type of heating system you currently have or which type is best for a heating replacement, call Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing. Our trained experts can help you decide what type of system works best in your Waterford, MI home. For more great information about our home comfort services be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter
