When you live in a cooler climate, you need a home heating system that packs a punch. Whether or not you’re in the market for a brand-new heater, we want to make sure you know about all of the options that can ensure your HVAC system (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) is ready for the chilly weather still yet to come.
Boiler
When you need a new heating system for a brand-new home, or if you’re in the process of doing renovations, we’re quick to recommend a boiler if it’s within your budget. After a short period of time, you’ll start to notice comfort and savings like you’ve never had with forced-air heating.
The radiant heat from a boiler directly heats the people and objects in a room, not just the air, which means unsurpassable comfort. And heating water is a highly efficient method of heat transfer, which is why many boilers have an efficiency rating of 95% or higher.
Furnace
When you already have a ventilation system in place, it typically makes more sense to have a furnace. If this is your first time buying a furnace in many years and you’re dreading the process, you may be surprised to find out just how efficient they are now!
To get the most out of your furnace, look for a system with dual-stage heating and a variable speed blower fan. At the very least, find a furnace that outranks the minimum efficiency rating (about 79 AFUE) and look for one with a much higher rating (above 90 AFUE).
Heat Pump
If you must have an electric heating system, we don’t recommend an electric furnace in cold climates. This solution will cost you more than you bargained for in the long run! While we’re happy to install an electric furnace, we recommend a heat pump instead.
A heat pump is a heating and cooling system in one. It uses refrigeration—essentially heat transfer—for both heating and cooling. This is an efficient way to bring heat into the home. And if you only need heating for one room, or for a home without ducts, heat pumps are available as ductless units too!
New Thermostat
A new thermostat is an excellent home HVAC upgrade that can help you to save money and feel more comfortable. We love smart thermostats, Wi-Fi connected thermostats that allow you to control the temperature no matter where you are. You can adjust the heat right before you leave work, so a warm home is waiting for you, or see whether you accidentally left the heat on from the office in the morning.
Humidifier
In our area, humidification is key during the winter. Colorado Springs humidity levels are commonly 10-12% when it’s cold out (and a comfortable level is about 30-50%). Adding a humidifier into your HVAC system is the best bet. It ensures that you have moisture coming into the home as it is heated, as long as you change out the humidifier pad before the season. Contact a local technician to look into getting a whole-house humidifier before it’s any colder (and drier).
Get more out of your HVAC in Colorado Springs, CO. Contact Robbins Heating & Air Conditioning today!
