Do you know what kind of heating system you have in your home? While this information might not seem very important, understanding the system that heats your home—and how to maintain it—will ensure it continues to operate efficiently and extend its life. The more you know about your heating system, the more your ability to lower your heating costs and keep your family comfortable through cold spells. Answering the question “What type of heating system do I have?” is easier than you might expect, thanks to the useful information below from the HVAC experts at Aire Serv®.
Furnaces and Heaters
An electric heating system, also called a furnace, warms up your home using natural gas, oil, propane, or electricity. It heats the air and distributes it throughout your house using a system of pipes. Furnaces are usually located in closets, basements, attics, or crawl spaces. If you're unsure which type of furnace you have—gas, oil, or electric—contact your local Aire Serv team. They’ll be happy to inspect your system, help you with an upgrade, or set you up with a maintenance plan depending on your needs.
Gas Heating Systems
Gas heating systems are common in places that experience milder winters. They can warm and cool your space, similar to how a fridge works. They use electricity to transfer heat, moving it from cooler areas to warmer ones, depending on the season. They often move air through pipes, but there are also systems that don’t use pipes.
Not sure about your heating home system? Look at the outdoor unit. It should have a label saying if it's an air conditioner or heat pump. No label? Search the brand and model online. Also, check for horizontal brass pipes in the unit, which are only present in a heat pump system. Your thermostat might have an emergency heat option, too. If you're still unsure, a local Aire Serv expert can explain the type of heating system you have.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
This type of heating system uses the earth's ability to generate heat to provide consistent heating and cooling for your home. Geothermal heat pumps use this thermal energy to warm or cool your home air. These systems are quiet and really good at saving energy. The initial installation costs for this type of system can be high because setting it up requires some excavation and other components. However, after the initial setup, these systems often pay for themselves over time in the form of efficiency and energy savings.
Identifying Your Heating System
Most heating systems can be identified based on their location in your home. If your system is located in a closet, basement, attic, or crawl space, it’s most likely a natural gas, oil, propane, or electric heating system. If your system has a series of pipes that run outside your home and into the ground, it’s likely a geothermal system.
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Regardless of what type of heating system you have, it requires regular maintenance to keep it operating efficiently.
When you schedule an appointment with Aire Serv, you can rest easy knowing all our work is backed by our Neighborly Done Right Promise™, which ensures your satisfaction. We also provide upfront pricing, which means no overtime, holiday, or hidden fees. An Aire Serv pro will inspect your system, make recommendations, and set you up with a maintenance schedule that ensures it continues to operate efficiently throughout the year. If you’re unsure about what kind of heating system you have, schedule an appointment with an Aire Serv professional today.