Selecting Heating and Cooling Systems

What type of heating and cooling system is best for a given home? This is a very important decision with many variables. These systems are components to a building that will last for a long time and can be costly. They play a big part in a house's energy efficiency and comfort level. There is not a "one size fits all" answer; it will depend on the region of the country a home is built in, the homeowners' budget and individual preferences. Every heating and cooling system has pros and cons. Here are some things to think about:

- Forced Air Styles: The new technology utilized in forced air units is much more efficient than in the past. They can be run from a variety of energy sources such as gas, electric, oil and propane. A downside is that they may produce spotty heat and coolness. Those that are equipped with blowers may expose allergy sufferers to more dust. They can cost in the neighborhood of $2,500 for each portion.

- Heat Pumps: Heat pumps are quite efficient in terms of energy use. Both the AC and the warmth can be piped through the same ventilation pathways, cutting down on installation costs. Some of these units are split into inside/outside locations. Filters which trap debris from vents must be changed every month or a breakdown in the system could occur. A typical unit costs around $4,500.

- Duct-free: Systems that are duct-free are those that either hang from the wall or set on the floor. A positive of this type of unit is that it costs less in terms of installation as there are no ducts to position. The duct-free devices are best used in small areas or temperate climates. If temperatures drop well into the freezing zones, these models won't provide enough warmth in the home. The price tag on this product may be less than $2,000.

- Radiators with Steam: These are also called boilers and can be comfortable because they emit moisture along with heat. Some downsides include that they can rattle, clank, make lots of noise and the warmth may be spotty through the home. This is kind of an old-fashioned method of warming up one's abode, but it may make a comeback. For a top quality boiler system, the price tag could be between $5,000 and $6,000.

- Solar Energy: Solar technology is great for energy efficiency because it harnesses warmth from the sun. Solar systems can be passive or active. Panels on the roof or thermal mass holders are options.

- Wind Energy: Harnessing the power of the wind may also be an ecologically sound method of using natural sources of energy.

- Radiant Heaters: These devices are installed beneath the flooring of one room or an entire house. Pipes with hot water warm surfaces. No ductwork is required, so no allergens will blow around. Efficiency is quite high. Costs to install radiant pipes are somewhere in the range of $7 to $10 a square foot.

There are many options in heating and cooling systems. Each of their goals is to provide comfortable temperatures inside of a home with as low a utility consumption as possible.