Finding a suitable heating system for your home requires considering various options for the most efficient and cost-effective solution. This article walks you through those considerations, including your home's size and insulation, fuel preference, climate, and your home's specific heating needs.

Assessing Your Home’s Requirements

Step one should be contacting a contractor you can trust to analyze your wants and needs as well as the requirements of your home. Your Home Comfort Advisor should start by measuring the square footage of each room in your home, including ceiling height. This will allow them to do a proper load calculation to determine the heating requirements of your house.

Evaluating the insulation levels in your walls and attic and the quality of your doors and windows is all part of the process. Homes with proper insulation and tight-fitting doors and windows need less heating, making them more energy-efficient and cost-effective.

Fuel Type Preferences

There are four primary options: natural gas, heating oil, propane, and electric heat. 

Here's a simplified guide to help you decide:

• Natural gas is an excellent option for your home's heating system if it's available. It can also be used for fireplaces, backup generators, and pool heaters providing terrific versatility.  
  
  
• Heating oil provides a lot of BTU’s per gallon and is readily available in our portion of the country. Unfortunately, the price is very volatile and tends to spike as the weather gets colder. Oil burning equipment also needs slightly more maintenance than other options. One the positive side, it can deliver some of the warmest output temperatures if used with a warm air furnace.
  
  
• Propane can also be used for fireplaces, backup generators, and pool heaters but can be a more expensive heating option. It contains about 40% less BTU’s per gallon compared to heating oil, and homeowners would need to either purchase a tank or rent one at an additional cost from their supplier.
  
  
• Electric can be an efficient option in the form of a heat pump. Heat Pumps have come a long way in recent years and can now heat the home when it’s colder outside than they could 20 years ago and do it at a lower operating cost. The downside is the life expectancy tends to be shorter than all the other options.

Considering Your Options

If Natural Gas is available, it is likely the most logical option. It’s efficient, burns cleanly, and is piped right into your home. If you live in an area where natural gas is not an option, propane or a high efficiency heat pump may be the best choice for you. While oil may be considered obsolete by many, it’s still used in tens of thousands of homes throughout the Northeast and can be a solid choice depending on your situation. Your Comfort Advisor will be able to discuss these options with you to find the best fit for your home and lifestyle.

Exploring High-Efficiency Models

High efficiency equipment can be a wise choice in many situations. While these systems come with a higher initial price tag, the savings on monthly energy bills can be significant and can cut costs enough to pay for the upgrade.

We Will Work with You to Find the Best Heating System for Your Home

If your heating system is inefficient and driving up your annual heating costs, it's probably time for a new one. For homeowners in Berks County and beyond, Ultimate Comfort Heating & Cooling is your partner for residential furnace, boiler, and heat pump services. Since 2013, we've been locally owned and operated, providing:

• Trusted Experts: Our team is skilled and reliable.
• Affordable Services: Quality solutions without breaking the bank.
• Clean Home Guarantee: We leave your home as clean as we found it.
• Extended Service Hours: We're here when you need us.

Experience ultimate comfort in your home with our professional and dependable services!