A heating system becomes a need of the hour in the winter season, especially in the areas where the cold is hard to bear. The mechanism of a heating system makes sure that it keeps the entire house warm and cozy, thereby saving you from the cold attacks and making you feel more comfortable. Heating systems are a one-time investment and therefore you must always be meticulous about choosing the right one for your house.
Planning to buy a heating system for your house this winter? Here is a guide to choose the right one:
- Pick up the right size:
The first thing that you must consider while selecting the heating system for your house is the size of that particular heating system. A proper size is very important to make sure that the unit operates itself effectively and comfortably. An oversized heating system might heat your home faster, however, it would never be able to reach the top of its operating efficiency. This will also waste a lot of energy. At the same time, an undersized heating system will not be able to deliver a proper performance. Thus, it is always recommended to choose the right size of the heating system.
- Plan a long-term investment:
As stated, it is not every time that you plan to invest in a heating system and hence you must not give second thoughts in thinking long-term about this investment. You must consider everything from the initial costs to the long-term expenses that might be incurred in operating and maintaining the heating system. Always choose the one with a certified energy level as it helps you in estimating annual energy costs.
- Go technical:
An advice from an expert always serves a great help. Before purchasing any kind of heating system for your home, you must not forget to ask the technician to perform a fulsome heating load calculation. This will take into account everything about your home such as the current level of insulation, square footage of the home, the orientation of the window and various other important factors. This particular calculation will always help you determine the size and the kind of heating system that will suit all your needs. Thus, getting technical is no harm.
- Efficiency always speaks:
No matter how expensive your heating system is, if it is not efficient enough, it is not going to function well and satisfy your needs. Thus, you must always choose the heating system that is efficient enough in terms of operation. The efficiency of the heating system will also help you save extra energy costs.
Some important points to consider:
- Check the need of the heating system. Buy it only when you need it. If there are other ways you can keep your room warm, you can simply execute them into operation.
- Check the numbers of the rooms which need to be heated.
- Always consider the space and occupancy of the room before picking the right heating system.
Keep the above-listed points in mind and hunt for the right heating system for your house.
Bonus content#1
Easy-peasy Tips to Clean Your Central Heating System
A central heating system is usually located in the basement or garage of your house functioning either by electricity or gas. A central heating system is made up of a single centralized furnace which transforms the energy into heat that is blown into the house by the way of vents and ducts. This is how the heating system keeps the entire house clean. The furnace helps to control the temperature of the air along with a thermostat that plays a very vital role in its overall functioning and usage.
Heating maintenance is very important for the proper functioning of your heating system. Your heating system tends to function well when it is cleaned properly. Here are some easy tips that you can use to clean your central heating system:
- Know your central heating system:
The central heating system of your house needs a good heating maintenance and cleaning. Keeping your system clean will not only help to avoid a number of problems or breakdowns, but the same will keep your heating system in a fully functional mode. However, in order to begin with the cleaning process of your heating system, you must first know your heating system well. There are two most common types of heating systems, furnace type, and pump type. It is highly recommended to get acquainted with the operation and functioning of both these heating systems before beginning to clean them.
- Clean the vents:
Another maintenance issue associated with the maintenance of your heating system is cleaning of the vents. If the vents of the heating system are obstructed, they might stop the warm air from flowing smoothly. Thus, it is always suggested to keep all your vents, exhaust system, cold air returns, and other parts away from all kinds of dust, debris and leaves.
- Check the filters:
Checking the filters regularly recommended in order to optimize the overall efficiency of your heating system. Dirty filters usually block the warm air from circulating into your home which creates a problem in the overall functioning of the heating system. Thus, it is very important for you to change the filters twice a year during the process of heating maintenance and cleaning of your heating system.
- Clean the pilot light using a small wire brush:
If you own a gas heating system, this cleaning tip is very important. You must make sure that the pilot light is clear blue in appearance, as it signifies its optimal service. Cleaning of the pilot light of your gas heating system can be done with the help of a small wire brush that helps to clean the gas release area. For the cleaning of debris, you can always make the use of compressed air. Always shut the gas flow and thermostat off before performing this kind of cleaning.
- Flush the heating system rightly:
At times, you would want to resort to more aggressive cleaning solutions to clean your heating system and flushing of the heating system happens to be one of them. Flushing is performed to clean the radiator of the heating system. You must make sure that the electricity is turned off before performing this practice. At the same time, you must make sure to not overflow the water into the heating system.
Bonus content#2
The Biggest Heating System Fire Hazards
The biggest problem ever faced by any HVAC unit is the problem of fire damage. Fire hazards and accidents could be really damaging for your air conditioners as well as heating systems. Any kind of fire hazard in your heating system calls for an immediate heating repair emergency and you must take an action right away in order to ward off the problem.
The biggest culprit that put the heating system and air conditioner on fire is the poisoning of carbon monoxide. Thus, it is very important to get the levels of carbon monoxide checked in order to keep your heating systems away from heating and fire hazards. Furthermore, if you experience any of the below-listed heating system fire hazards, you must seek help from an expert immediately:
- Electrical problems:
Electrical problems are considered as one of the leading fire hazards in the HVAC units. As the electrical connections age, they end up becoming loose which further leads to a greater power exertion from the furnace, thereby causing several fire hazards such as burnt wires, furnace fire, etc. Thus, if you notice any kind of smoke or heating smell, it’s time to contact your technician because it could be a heating repair emergency.
- A heat exchanger which is cracked:
A cracked heat exchanger in your heating system is a problem that must be taken seriously as it requires an immediate heating repair emergency. A cracked heat exchanger can easily make carbon monoxide escape which is dangerous if breathed by you or your family members. Seek an immediate help if you face such a problem.
- Gas pressure and connections:
A low pressure in gas could result in the condensation in the heat exchanger, at the same time, high pressure could result into a highly hot heat exchanger – both of these problems require an immediate attention. Poor fitting gas connections often lead to the leakage of gas which could further lead to a bigger fire damage.
- Leaking fuel lines:
One of the most obvious fire hazards, while handling or maintaining a heating system is the problem of leaking fuel lines. A number of people do not notice the leakage in the fuel until and unless the problem turns into a worst-case scenario. The best solution to this problem is a regular servicing of your heating system by an HVAC technician.
- Crowded furnace:
A crowded furnace is considered to be another huge furnace danger that could cause your heating system to catch fire and hence it demands an immediate heating repair emergency. You must, therefore, leave a space of three feet around your HVAC units so that they do not catch any kind of fire. In case of an accident, it is always suggested to call for a professional help.
Heating system fire hazards are of many kinds, all of which can cause a serious damage to your heating system, your home as well as your family members. It is therefore suggested to always get your heating system and other HVAC units checked and serviced on time. Because prevention is always better than cure.
