What’s the Best Way to Heat Your Home? | Tips from Your Cypress, TX Heating and AC Service Provider
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While beating the summer heat is generally more of a concern for Cypress, TX, homeowners, you also need to have a good way to heat your home in winter. The problem is, there are so many options out there when it comes to heating systems that it can be tough to choose the right one for your needs. We’ve got breakdowns of all the most popular options to help you choose the best solution for your needs. If you still need help deciding on a heating option, you can always get the help of a heating and AC expert.
Furnace
Furnaces are one of the most popular options when it comes to heating your home because they’re relatively simple to install, efficient and good at providing almost instant comfort.
Many of the central heating and AC systems you see in modern homes use a combination of a forced-air furnace and an outdoor AC unit. This means that furnaces have become fairly affordable and you have a lot of options when shopping for them. Plus, installing a furnace is easy for any heating and AC professional.
If you do buy a furnace, make sure you get one that’s properly sized for your Cypress, TX, home. Buying a furnace that’s too small could leave you with inadequate heat while buying too large a furnace will cost you on your power bill in the long run.
Heat Pump
If you want your heating and AC built into one convenient unit, heat pumps are a solid choice. Not only can heat pumps heat and cool your home, they also provide a relatively clean source of heat because of their energy source.
Heat pumps are great when it comes to efficiency, so they’re a good option if you find yourself spending too much on your heating bill. Heat pumps also do a good job of heating your home relatively quickly, although they’re not quite as fast as furnaces in that regard.
The downsides to heat pumps include the fact that they lose efficiency when temperatures get too low, take up a lot of space and have a fairly involved installation process.
Wood Stove
Some Cypress, TX, homeowners prefer a more natural, traditional source of heat, and there’s nothing better than a wood stove if that’s what you’re after.
Wood stoves aren’t nearly as complex as modern heating and AC systems, but they still do a solid job of providing heat to your home. Wood burns fairly cleanly, provides a lot of heat and works during power outages. Additionally, you have the option of using your wood stove to boil water and do other simple cooking tasks.
The truth is, there are always going to be more efficient options than a wood stove. However, if you like the idea of chopping up firewood and loading it into a stove for that warm, toasty wood stove heat, they’re a good option.
Fireplace
Fireplaces are interesting because they range from very simple to just as complex as the best heating and AC options on the market today. The benefits of a fireplace vary depending on the type you purchase.
While some homes still have old brick fireplaces with chimneys, most homeowners opt for fireplace inserts these days. These inserts have a modern look that’s unmatched by older fireplaces, plus they can use various sources of energy including gas and liquid propane.
Fireplace inserts are fairly easy to install and give your home a more traditional look, plus they’re a clean way to heat your home. Whereas a wood stove or wood-burning fireplace will leave a smell in your home from burning the logs, fireplace inserts are well vented and don’t have the same effect.
Hot Water Systems
Hot water systems may not be the most common in today’s homes, but they still perform as well as some of the best heating and AC options on the market today. Hot water systems are a lot like furnaces, but the use of water for heat provides some additional benefits.
One of the biggest benefits of choosing a hot water heating system over a furnace is the type of heat you get. Furnaces force warm air out of vents, which means they cause a breeze. On top of that, furnaces stop providing heat as soon as they shut off, making it feel suddenly cold at times.
Hot water heating systems don’t use forced air and don’t cut the warm air off so quick, which means you don’t get the same breezy, drafty feeling. They’re also quieter than a lot of heating and AC options.
Space Heaters
If you have a heating system and your Cypress, TX, home still isn’t staying cool enough, you might consider using a space heater in some rooms. Space heaters are small portable heaters that simply plug into an outlet to provide heat.
The biggest downside to space heaters is that they’re not very powerful or efficient. You can heat a bedroom to a comfortable temperature with a space heater, but you can’t expect to get the same power you do out of a standard heating system. Still, they’re a good option if you need some extra heat to supplement your heating system or reach a room that’s not currently heated.
An Easy Decision
Choosing a heating and AC option for your home is a big task, but a little research goes a long way. The important thing is finding a unit that provides the benefits you need most, which are generally things like power, efficiency and comfort.
If you’re still having a tough time choosing the best heating and AC option for your home, you can get some help from the pros at Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning. Whether you’re looking to beat the Cypress, TX, heat or make your home cozier in the winter, we can help. Give us a call at (972) 278-3506 today to find out more.
