Energy Efficient Heating Equipment
If you are looking for heating equipment for your home, there are some facts you should know. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, nearly 56 percent of the average consumer energy bill goes directly to heating and cooling. Selecting the right heating equipment can save you money in long run.
One in 4 homes in the United States has a furnace that is over twenty years old. Older furnaces not only cost more to operate, they also release more harmful particles into the air. In 1992, the EPA instituted the Energy Star program to promote energy-efficient products, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save energy. Energy Star qualified products meet strict criteria for energy efficiency. The EPA also requires all household appliances to bear stickers stating the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. The national minimum AFUE is 78 percent, although Energy Star compliant appliances can have an AFUE in excess of 90 percent. As you research and shop for your heating equipment, be sure to note AFUE and Energy Star ratings on the models that interest you.
Types of Heaters
Most homes in the United States have a gas, propane, or electric furnace. Boilers, heat pumps, and mixed systems like electric/wood burners offer additional heating choices.
- A furnace pulls air into a heat exchanger, heats it by means of a gas or with electric coils and then distributes the heated air throughout the house.
- In a forced air system, a blower circulates air throughout the house via a network of ducts and vents.
- In a boiler-type furnace system, water is heated and circulated through a network of pipes to radiators. The heat from the water is released into the air surrounding the radiator.
- In a radiated floor system, the radiator consists of piping laid beneath a home’s flooring. The heat from the furnace radiates up from the piping into the floor and throughout the house.
Heating Pump
A heat pump collects heat from the air, water, or ground around your home. A highly efficient heat pump produces nearly 4 times the amount of energy it consumes. It can heat your home in the winter as well as cool it in the summer. Heat pumps run on electricity and provide the most benefit to homes located in moderate climates. A heat pump can save approximately 30 percent on your heating bill, but may not be practical for use in areas that experience extended spells of subzero weather.
Source:http://home-project.org/Heating-Equipment.php