The province of Alberta has a dry climate with not much of the humidity that usually accompanies summer, and summer nights are quite cool. On the other hand, Alberta experiences very cold winters, and its snow seasons are quite long.
To keep warm during this period, residents have several options for heating Edmonton or Stony Plain homes, including a heat pump and a furnace. Both are equally effective, but if you are looking to install a new heating system, certain factors can help determine which would be better suited to your needs.
The one thing that a heat pump and a furnace have in common is that they both heat air and distribute this around the home, unlike boilers which heat water to produce steam for heating. A heat pump gets heat from outside air, while a furnace produces heat by using a flame to warm air.
One of the factors in deciding between the two would be the climate. In Edmonton and Stony Plain, temperatures usually top off at around 20 degrees, so since heat pumps rely on heat from outside air, a furnace would be residents’ best bet.
Newer furnace models can be up to 98 percent energy-efficient, which means that 98 percent of the energy used goes to producing or distributing heat. It can be powered by natural gas, oil, or electricity. Natural gas and electricity are the common options because oil is inefficient.
Furnaces come in different shapes and sizes so it won’t be hard to find one that would fit in your home. Even the most powerful ones come in small sizes. What’s more, furnaces work fast and can heat a house in no time. When choosing a furnace, it’s best to take into consideration the prices of electricity, natural gas, and oil.
Electric furnaces are considered the most efficient, but the cost to operate may be expensive, depending on the cost of electricity. Also consider a model’s AFUE, or annual fuel utilization efficiency, in your selection, as well as its heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF). The higher these numbers are, the more efficient the unit is.
If you are unsure about which heating unit to purchase for your home, seek the help of Edmonton or Stony Plain heating companies, such as Capital Plumbing & Heating. They can conduct an inspection of your home to determine your heating needs and recommend an appropriate system.
You would want to make sure that you install a system that will provide adequate heating while keeping your energy consumption in check, and the pros can help you in achieving that. They can also perform the installation to guarantee optimum performance.
