If you are looking for a new heating system for your home in the Los Angeles County area, you are probably already aware that there are a range of options from which you can choose. This decision can seem overwhelming, but with the right research, you can choose the best system for your home. Here are some factors to consider.
Furnaces
If you only need a heating system for your home, there are a range of furnaces that you can consider. Your options include going with either a Natural Gas-powered furnace or an electric one. It’s rare to find an oil-powered furnace in the SoCal area because oil furnaces are intended for colder-weather climates. It is important to keep in mind that these options do not all work in the same way. Each type of furnace has its own benefits and drawbacks.
It can be difficult to say if either a gas or electric furnace is truly better—whether for your wallet, or for the environment. Many people think that electric furnaces are better for the environment because they produce no emissions, but it is important to remember that electricity can also have an environmental impact in general, such as the practice of building large-scale dams, and the fact the most electric power in the United States is produced by burning fossil fuels to begin with.
Gas furnaces do produce a small amount of emissions, but might not necessarily have a lesser environmental impact than an electric furnace. If the environment is your main concern, it is important to do further research to determine which option is actually better. There are a lot of factors to consider, so it can be helpful to speak with a certified HVAC professional.
Additionally, it can be hard to determine which, out of the gas or electric furnace options, is actually going to be cheaper in the long run. Again, many people automatically assume that electric furnaces are cheaper because of the fact that natural gas is an exhaustible resource—but this is not always the case.
In terms of start-up costs, gas furnaces are cheaper to purchase and install. They can also be cheaper to run in general. Electric furnaces are also appealing because you can install them anywhere. They also pose a much lower risk to the home, as they are less likely to start a fire and there is no chance of gas leaks. They are also the most energy-efficient of furnace options.
Heat Pumps
If you want a system that can keep your home cool as well as warm, then an electric heat pump might be your best option. Heat pumps are meant for areas with moderate to mild climates, so they are perfect for the average Los Angeles temperatures. These systems Work by using electricity to move cold air to warm places, and warm air to cold places—a process similar to the one that takes place inside of your refrigerator.
The added benefit of using a heat pump in lieu of a furnace is that the heat pump also works as an air conditioner when needed. It uses essentially the same process to cool as it does to heat, making it a cost-effective way to heat and cool your home throughout the year.
Get Started Today
In the end, your heating options depend on two major factors: the associated costs, as well as whether you want your heating system to double as a cooling system. A certified HVAC technician can help advise you on the best option for your home. Also remember that heating systems are complicated to install, and should always be installed by a certified HVAC technician rather than a homeowner.