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Your Wintertime Heating Options

The options that you have to heat your home have expanded greatly as new technologies have been innovated and older tech continues to be refined. Here are some of the more common choices.

Furnace

Furnaces are by far the most prevalent type of home heating in the U.S. and are available in both electric and gas configurations. Most home heating setups with a furnace are centralized forced air systems that distribute warmed air via ductwork.

Boiler

Boilers are the second-most prevalent heating type in the U.S. There was a point when they were just as popular as furnaces, but their commonness has diminished as furnaces have become less expensive upfront and over the long term. The main difference between a boiler and a furnace is that a boiler uses hot water or steam to heat a home. Radiant heating systems are most common for homes with boilers.

Heat Pump

Heat pumps are essentially air conditioners that can operate in reverse in order to heat as well. They are highly efficient but are not suitable to climates where the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hybrid Heating

Hybrid heating systems pair a heat pump with a furnace. This allows you to take advantage of the higher efficiency most of the time but have access to the additional heat when needed.

Ductless Mini-Split

Ductless mini-split systems are heat pumps without a central forced-air system. Each mini-split unit is dedicated to a particular room or area of a home.

Space Heating

Space heating options range from fireplaces to portable convection heaters. While generally not used for primary heating, they are effective for minimizing your heating bill. You can keep most of your home cooler but the area that you are occupying warmer.

Your Heating Experts in Granite City

McFarland Indoor Comfort Services is a locally owned and operated company that serves Granite City and the surrounding areas. Our team installs, services, and repairs all manner of residential and commercial heating and cooling equipment. Call us today, or contact us online to learn more or to schedule an appointment.