The cold winters in Champaign, IL, mean that you’ll spend a lot of money to heat your home. If you’re tired of paying higher and higher utility bills, but you don’t want to sacrifice your comfort, an energy-efficient heating system is a wise choice. When it’s time to get a new heating system, here are five ways you’ll benefit from an energy-efficient replacement.
1. Fewer Breakdowns and Comfort Disruptions
One of the most frustrating parts of owning an older heating system is frequent breakdowns. As a heating system reaches its life expectancy of 10 to 12 years for a heat pump or 20 to 25 years for a furnace, its parts will wear out and fail. If you replace the capacitor one month, the blower motor might fail the next month. Not only does this get expensive, but it also disrupts your comfort. During a period of frigid air, you don’t want to be without heat. Installing a new energy-efficient heating system means fewer breakdowns and interruptions of your comfort. New heating systems have variable-speed motors that work at the lowest necessary capacity, so they experience less wear and tear. They also have a longer lifespan, which adds resale value to your home.
2. Lower Heating Costs
Energy-efficient heating systems cost less to operate. If your current furnace is 25 years old and has an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) of 65%, replacing it with a furnace with an AFUE of 97% will lower your heating costs by hundreds of dollars each winter. If your 12-year-old heat pump has a heating season performance factor (HSPF) of 6, upgrading to one with an HSPF of 8.5 will save you about $200 per year in heating costs. Additionally, a high-efficiency heat pump will also save you money when you use it for its cooling functions in the summertime.
3. Improved Temperature and Humidity Control
During the wintertime, many homes get too dry. If the humidity level in your home drops below 30%, your wood furniture could split or crack. Your skin may feel dry, itchy or irritated. Your mucous membranes may also get dry, which leads to inflammation, cracking and an increased risk of infections. Energy-efficient heating systems maintain better humidity control, which helps you feel more comfortable. Older, inefficient heating systems cycle frequently. This can cause big temperature variations that lead you to tinker with the thermostat. New, energy-efficient heating systems reduce temperature fluctuations. By performing fewer but longer heating cycles, they minimize the big temperature swings in your home’s air.
4. Consistent Delivery and Distribution of Heated Air
Energy-efficient heating systems have variable-speed motors. They operate at the lowest speed necessary to reach and maintain the temperature you set on the thermostat. These heating systems don’t cycle as frequently, but when they do cycle, they operate for a longer period of time. This provides better distribution of heated air. Your home won’t have annoying cold spots, especially if you update the insulation and weatherstripping along with upgrading your heating system. The longer heating cycles also improve the quality of your home’s air. More air passes through the filter, which allows more particles to be trapped and removed from circulation. After installing an energy-efficient heating system, you’ll need to check its filter each month and replace it every one to three months, or as soon as it’s visibly dirty.
5. Reduce Your Home’s Carbon Footprint
If you’re concerned about your household’s environmental impact, choosing an energy-efficient heating system should give you some peace of mind. You’ll know that you’re doing your part to lower carbon emissions. Energy-efficient heating systems use 20% to 40% less energy to heat your home, which means your home will have a much smaller footprint. In places like Champaign, where winter temperatures can drop well below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, heating will account for about 20% to 30% of your annual energy usage. Lowering the energy usage without sacrificing your comfort is a big benefit of choosing an energy-efficient heating system. Look for a heating system with Energy Star certification.
At Bash Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., we’re proud to be your go-to source for affordable energy-efficient heating systems. We can also assist you with heating and air conditioning maintenance, repairs and replacements. Our HVAC sheet metal fabrication includes custom ducts for your new heating or cooling system. For additional details about the benefits of energy-efficient heating systems for your Champaign home, get in touch with us at Bash Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc..
