If you’ve lived here in Burnt Hills, NY, for long, you know that we see very cold winters. That makes your home’s heating system more important than it might be elsewhere. It also means you’ll want a heating system that’s as efficient as possible to keep your energy bills manageable. For most homeowners, this leads to one of two heating system types: a furnace or a heat pump. Here’s how to choose between the two.
Furnace Pros and Cons
Gas furnaces offer efficient, reliable heat. Natural gas is one of the cheapest home heating fuels, and gas furnaces are, at a minimum, over 80% efficient. Those factors are the reason why gas furnaces are the most common type of heating system in Burnt Hills and the rest of the US. Plus, gas furnaces have relatively low upfront costs.
At the same time, however, gas furnaces do have downsides. First, they emit carbon monoxide into the atmosphere as they burn natural gas. And when they malfunction, they can release deadly carbon monoxide into your home.
Heat Pump Pros and Cons
Heat pumps, on the other hand, offer the most efficient heating you can get. In optimal conditions, a heat pump can reach up to 400% efficiency in the winter. Plus, they’re quiet and reliable too. Heat pumps also make it possible for you to shrink your home’s carbon footprint by pairing them with renewable energy.
Heat pumps are far more expensive upfront than furnaces, though. And you’ll need to purchase a cold-weather heat pump if you want to make sure you’ll have plentiful heat no matter how low the temperature drops.
Making Your Decision
When you approach the choice between a furnace and a heat pump, you should consider a few simple factors. If you want low up-front costs, decent efficiency, and manageable energy costs, choose a furnace. But if you want maximum efficiency and a relatively future-proof system, choose a heat pump.
Whichever you choose, though, Suburban Services Group can help. We’ve served the Burnt Hills area since 1980, offering quality HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance services. Plus, we offer plumbing service, air quality services, and backup generators, too. So, when you’re ready to choose a new heating system in Burnt Hills, call our experts at Suburban Services Group, and they’ll do the rest.
