California winters may be short – and it may be about to come to an end – but if you know now that your heating system isn’t likely to make it another year, then now is the time to reach out for help. You want to make plans before the cold weather is gone for the season, as you’ll then have time to plan for the operation and to schedule the installation when it’s convenient – and when you have the entire summer ahead of you.
Once you’ve decided that it’s time to replace your heating system, you have a series of additional decisions to make. For example, what type of heater do you want? What are the most important aspects to consider in your unique home? These are questions best asked of the professionals. At Econo West Heating Air & Plumbing we can assess your needs to uncover the right choice. We will consider a number of issues, all discussed below.
What’s the best type of heater for your home?
Most homes in Southern California are equipped with forced-air furnaces. This is a furnace in which the heat is in one place and then blows throughout your home via ducts. It’s effective but it’s not the only option. Some alternative options that may be worth considering include:
- Ductless Systems: These use several smaller units throughout your home instead of one big one. As a result, no ducts are required.
- Geothermal Systems: This option taps into renewable energy in the earth.
- Heat Pumps: If you want your heating and air conditioning in one unit then this may be an option for you.
- Radiant Heat: Installed under your floor, this option gently heats your home.
Not all of the above are good for every option but we can help you make the right choice.
What power level is right for your home?
A heater needs a power level that works well with the specifics of your home. If you have a heater without enough power then your home will never be as warm as you want, but if you have too much power then you’ll be dealing with short cycling in which your heater turns off and on too quickly. This is hard on your system and results in a lot of wasted energy.
How efficient do you want your heating system to be?
After you’ve made a decision on what type of system you want, and how powerful it should be, the next factor is how efficient you want it to be. The AFUE rating is listed as a percentage and details what percentage of the energy in a heating system is actually used to heat the home. The rest is simply wasted energy. The higher the AFUE rating, the better the efficiency – but it’s likely the price is higher too.
When it comes to finding the right heating system for your home, you’re looking for the sweet spot between affordability and efficiency. When you work with Econo West Heating Air & Plumbing, you can count on us to offer honest and experienced advice. Call us today at (661) 947-2653 to begin the process.