Keeping your home comfortable year-round is important no matter where you live. However, those who reside in destinations where winter tends to take a turn for the extra-chilly understand just how vital an efficient heating system is.
There’s nothing worse than getting out of bed in the morning to sub-zero temperatures and realizing your heating system has given out. It’s also a wake-up call for many homeowners on the importance of keeping up with heater maintenance.
All of that said, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to consider the many heater possibilities out there. Between the cost of installation and investing in regular heater maintenance, homeowners understandably want to be sure they’re making a good choice.
Consider Heater Maintenance Factors
Ultimately, you want your heater to be effective and fully functioning for as long as possible. So it makes sense to consider heater maintenance when choosing what heating system to install.
It’s important to ask yourself which systems involve the most complex heater maintenance standards and which are easiest to service when required. These are important factors to consider when evaluating how heater maintenance fits into an overall energy budget too. Here, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most manageable heating systems to maintain and some that come with more complex heater maintenance standards.
Furnaces Provide Common Ground and Efficiency Too
When it comes to heater maintenance processes and systems familiar to almost every technician out there, the traditional furnace sits at the top of the list. Otherwise referred to as forced-air systems, furnaces are found in most homes across the country.
Furnaces blow heated air through a ductwork system and can be purchased in either gas or electric varieties. While gas furnaces tend to come with lower monthly energy bills, electric furnaces take the lead on efficiency. That typically cuts down on unexpected maintenance costs overall.
Because furnaces are so familiar on the market, you’re likely to easily find a technician that can handle repairs, heater maintenance, or installation whenever it’s needed. High-efficiency furnaces may be more costly to install initially, but over time they require less repair and offer up more energy savings.
The Maintenance Benefits of Boilers
It’s common to hear furnaces and boilers used as interchangeable terms. However, they are very different heating systems that require different maintenance standards to keep running.
Boilers move the heated water through a home towards radiators and baseboard heaters. They depend on natural gas, propane, or electricity to function effectively.
Many homeowners love the fact that boilers provide a less dry form of heat to the home than forced air. A heated water approach also reduces allergens in the air that could be circulated more freely with forced air.
That said, boilers are a bit more complex to maintain than their furnace counterparts. Many systems function using copper pipes, making installation more expensive and repairs more costly. Unlike furnaces, boilers cannot have an air conditioning system integrated seamlessly.
While boilers are just as efficient as furnaces, they require more maintenance specifications. That means that not every technician is necessarily going to be able to work on a boiler system.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Radiant Heating Systems
Radiant heating systems can be an excellent addition to a home but are often considered one of the most complexheating systems to maintain. That is because of the complicated installation process and their physical placement.
Like boilers, radiant heating systems appeal to homeowners thanks to their non-allergenic and relatively gentle heating process. In these systems, heated water is moved through pipes or cables installed underneath the floors or in the walls of the home.
The placement of these pipes means that radiating heating systems come with major installation construction. They’re also less accessible when maintenance issues arise.
It’s important to consider that certain types of flooring can also impact heating efficiency. Tiles are typically an efficient but more costly covering option.
Homes primarily covered in wood flooring or carpeting may see these systems working harder to radiate heat. That can lead to more frequent replacement and repair needs. There’s no guarantee that every technician will be able to perform repairs on this type of system.
Picking the System That Fits Your Maintenance Ideals
Every home is unique, and every homeowner inevitably has a different budget to work with. When looking at the maintenance efficiency standards of a heating system it’s important to consider investment compared to the system’s anticipated lifespan and overall effectiveness in your home. Taking time to consider the options is essential to picking a heating system that’s going to make life more comfortable and not more stressful.
Contact Paul the Plumber Today
Whether you’re looking for heating system installation, repair, or maintenance assistance, Paul the Plumber is here to help. Reach out today and enjoy our service options delivered up with a smile!
