What are some telltale signs that it’s time for a gas furnace replacement in your home?
- Higher energy bills: Your energy bills keep going up even though your usage hasn’t changed.
- Frequent repairs: Your gas furnace is over 15 years old and requires frequent repairs.
- Uneven heating: There are hot and cold spots across your home due to furnace malfunctions such as short-cycling, damaged ductwork, and others.
- Loud noises: An aging blower motor can produce loud humming or buzzing sounds coming from the gas furnace.
- Dust and rust: There are visible signs of dust, soot, and rust in and around the furnace.
These warning signs mean your gas furnace is nearing the end of its lifespan and it’s time to switch to a more energy-efficient solution—an electric furnace or an air-source heat pump.
At Baker Electric Home Energy, we understand the challenges you face while repairing or replacing your existing heating unit. As an experienced heating expert in the San Diego area, we are committed to providing you with a custom, energy-efficient solution to meet your home’s heating requirements.
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Which Heating System Works Best for Your Home?
When it comes to heating your home, you have several options including furnaces, boilers, radiators, baseboard heaters, mini-splits, hybrids, and heat pumps. But how do you determine the right heating system for your home?
As natural gas furnaces are being phased out in California due to health and safety implications, electric furnaces and heat pumps are your best bet for cost-effective and energy-efficient heating solutions. Let’s take a look at some of the key benefits of both systems.
Benefits of Electric Furnaces
- Energy-Efficiency: In SoCal’s moderately cold temperatures, electric furnaces with an Annual Fuel-Utilization-Efficiency (AFUE) rating of 100% are more energy-efficient than natural gas furnaces.
- Improved Safety: With no potential risks of carbon monoxide leaks, electric furnaces are safer than conventional natural gas furnaces.
- Cost: The upfront cost of installing an electric furnace is significantly lower than its natural gas counterpart.
- Solar Compatibility: Unlike a natural gas furnace, an electric furnace can be connected to solar panels to run on renewable energy.
Benefits of Heat Pumps
- Energy-Efficiency: Air-source heat pumps are highly energy efficient — providing three times more heat energy than the electric energy it consumes.
- Two-in-One System: Heat pumps can be used both for the heating and cooling needs of your home.
- Cost: The long-term cost of running a heat pump is much lower than that of a natural gas furnace.
- Solar Compatibility: Electric heat pumps can run on solar power to address your home’s heating or cooling needs.
Understand Your Heat Pump Better with Baker Electric Home Energy
Do You Need Backup Heating for Your Home?
You might wonder if the heat strips—the coil-like element included in your heat pump system, can be used as a reliable option to heat your home. It is worth noting that heat strips need more energy to run compared to a heat pump. Relying on heat strips for any extended amount of time will drive up your energy bill.
Heat strips are designed for auxiliary or emergency usage when the outside temperature is really low and your heat pump is unable to draw enough heat from the outside air. It is strongly advised NOT to rely on heat strips or emergency heating unless absolutely necessary.
Learn More About Choosing The Right Heating System for Your Home
Partnering with An Experienced HVAC Installer
At Baker Electric Home Energy, we know how to customize HVAC installation and design heating and cooling solutions that fit your home’s needs. As SoCal locals, we understand the challenges you face to tune up your HVAC system according to the climate. Our licensed technicians with extensive experience can provide
- Professional consultation to determine the right HVAC unit for your home
- Guidance through financing options, heating, air-conditioning, and tune-up offers
- Warranties and service plans
- Installation, maintenance, and repair
With our trusted brands for heating and cooling solutions, you can increase energy savings while maximizing comfort and improving the indoor air quality of your home.