Each fall we stress to all our customers (and future customers) how important it is to schedule regular maintenance for their heating system—whatever type of heating system they have. There are many benefits of having this done, and one of them is it can help you find out if your heater is no longer up to the task of a Chicago winter. When you have a heating system that’s more than 15 to 20 years old, it’s probably ready to retire. During maintenance, a technician can tell you when it’s best to install a new heater.
You have a range of choices for central heating, and you may wish to consider changing to a new type or staying with what you already use. Below are a few of the systems available to warm your home. We hope this helps you start thinking about the replacement system you want.
Furnace
If we had to guess the type of heater you have, we’d pick “furnace” every time. Furnaces are the most common type of heater in the country. Gas furnaces are powerful and reliable, and using gas costs less than electricity. If you want to replace your current gas furnace with another one, we advise you look into a high-efficiency unit to reduce your annual fuel expenses.
Boilers
The boiler system has remained a popular choice for comfort in homes because of their efficient performance, even heating, and improvements in air quality. Boilers can run off gas or electricity. In-floor radiant heating is one option to consider with a new boiler: you get warmth from right beneath your feet.
Heat Pumps
Here’s something to consider if you think you may wish to replace your air conditioning system next year. A heat pump is both a heating and cooling system. It operates similar to a standard air conditioner—circulating refrigerant to pump heat from inside the house to the outside. But it can also reverse the direction it runs and pump heat into a house. A heat pump isn’t ideal for all situations, but for homes without gas connections, a heat pump is an energy-saving alternative to an electric furnace.
Ductless Mini Splits
If your house doesn’t have ducts (true for many older homes), you can still enjoy the benefits of a heat pump. A ductless mini split heat pump works through a series of wall-mounted air handlers that blow warm (or cool) air directly into the living spaces. Ductless systems are also good choices for new home construction, remodeling, and add-on rooms.
Scheduling a heating replacement in Chicago, IL or elsewhere in Chicagoland is simple: give our office a call! If you’re already signed up for our MAX Comfort Plan, we can help you with making the choice for a new heating system. We’ll make sure you end up with the type of heater that meets all your needs, and our installation service will see the new system works for many years to come.