With the cold winters we get here in Sparks, NV, the efficiency of your heating system is important. It determines how much of your household budget gets dedicated to your energy bills. However, choosing the cheapest heating method isn’t always straightforward or easy. Here’s how to do it.
Understand Your Efficiency Options
To choose the cheapest heating method, you must first understand how efficient each of your system options would be. Gas furnaces, which are a popular option, have an average efficiency of 80%, with some systems reaching as high as 98.5%. Oil furnaces, by contrast, have efficiency rates between 84% and 90%. And heat pumps blow all other types of systems away with their efficiency. Under the right conditions, a heat pump can reach efficiencies upward of 400%. However, most run at an average efficiency of around 250%.
Consider Your Energy Costs
The next thing you need to do is consider your energy costs. In most places, including here in Sparks, natural gas is comparatively cheaper than electricity. And home heating oil is typically the highest-cost option of the three. That means that a gas-powered furnace has a built-in operating cost advantage over other system types.
However, you need to consider the respective system efficiencies as well. For that reason, a heat pump will almost always cost less to operate than any other system type. However, a high-efficiency gas furnace won’t cost you much more to operate than the average heat pump and may offer you greater comfort. Oil-powered systems are typically the most expensive to operate of the three during an average winter.
Sparks’ Heating Experts
If you’re looking for the most cost-effective way to heat your Sparks home, Gibson Plumbing & Mechanical can help. We sell and install the latest gas furnaces, oil furnaces, and heat pumps from Lennox, an HVAC industry leader. Our experts will help you choose the system that fits your needs and budget and that won’t break the bank keeping you warm. We also handle all other HVAC services, including installations, maintenance, and repair, as well as offering comprehensive plumbing services, too.
For efficient heating systems in Sparks, call us at Gibson Plumbing & Mechanical today.
