Home Heating 101

Everything You Need to Know About Home Heating Systems

There are several different ways to heat your Upstate South Carolina or Western North Carolina home. Which home heating system is best depends on lots of factors, like your existing HVAC setup, how efficient you want your heating to be, and what your budget is. Here’s a quick overview of heating systems and what you can expect from each.

Types of Home Heating Systems

Furnaces

Furnaces create heat energy by burning fuel or using electricity. Then, a blower circulates it around your house through a network of ducts and vents. While gas furnaces are common in North and South Carolina because they can produce a lot of heat fast, many homeowners are gravitating towards higher efficiency electric models that don’t use fossil fuels at all.

Heat Pumps

A heat pump operates differently from a furnace and moves heat instead of producing it. In winter, heat pumps take heat from the outside air and bring it indoors. Even though it’s cold outside, there’s still enough warmth in the air that an efficient heat pump can remove it. The same equipment also works as an air conditioner in the summer. It just reverses the process and pulls heat from your home to be released outside. This is actually how all air conditioners work.

Heat Pumps vs. Furnaces

When comparing whether a heat pump or a furnace is the right choice to heat your home, there are a few things to consider. Do you have access to a natural gas line and a working central air conditioner? Then a gas furnace might be the best option. Or do you need to replace both a heating and cooling system in your home? In that case, it’s likely better to opt for a heat pump that works in all seasons. You should also take into account the overall cost of ownership, including future maintenance expenses and ongoing energy bills.

WATCH: Heat Pumps vs Gas Furnaces: Should You Go All Electric This Winter? (Video)

Other Types of Home Heating Systems

You can also heat your home with a boiler, which heats water and distributes it through radiators or radiant flooring. Electric resistance heating, like heated baseboards, may also be an option. Each type of home heating system has unique benefits and drawbacks, so not all systems will work for every house or family. A qualified heating contractor can help you compare and contrast systems to decide which is the right fit for your needs.

Home Heating System Maintenance

Regular maintenance will help your heating system run safely and effectively when you need it to. Maintenance includes checking all major parts of the system, cleaning internal components, and verifying the functionality of all features. If the technician finds anything wrong, you can have it fixed before it becomes an expensive issue that needs emergency repair.

System maintenance can also help you save energy and prevent unnecessary hikes in your heating bills. A poorly maintained heating system can cost you more over time since it doesn’t use fuel or electricity as efficiently and less of your energy gets converted to usable heat.

Maintenance tasks you can do at home include changing or cleaning your filter, making sure all vents and registers are clear, and replacing the batteries in your thermostat as needed.

WATCH: Schedule Your Heater Tuneup with Blue Ridge Heating & Air (Video)

Heating System Repair and Replacement

Even with proper maintenance, a heating system will need repairs at some point during its lifetime. And eventually, that lifespan will come to an end. Figuring out when you need repair versus replacement is key to avoiding unnecessary breakdowns, increased energy expenses, and getting the maximum life out of your system.

Common Heating Repairs

Because heating systems have multiple moving parts, electric components, and mechanical elements, there are many possible reasons why your heating system might not be working as intended. Common reasons for heating issues include things like:

Inaccurate thermostat readings
Ignitor or pilot light issues (gas furnaces)
Blower motor not working
Problems with electrical components
Reduced airflow or blocked filters and vents
Cracked or broken heat exchanger
Low refrigerant (heat pumps)

Some heating issues, like a gas leak, can pose safety risks for you and your family. If your heating system burns fossil fuels, it’s crucial to have any issues checked out as soon as possible.

Repair or Replace? That Is the Question

Repairing a heating system is often the best solution for problems that only require minor repairs or systems that are not old. But sometimes, replacement is the better option. Understanding when to replace and when to repair is essential for saving money and getting the most life out of your equipment.

You may need a new heating system if:

Your current one is almost at the end of its service life
Your existing equipment needs constant repairs
Repairing your system will be expensive
Your energy bills have gone up without additional system use
Your heating system can’t maintain your desired temperature
You have rooms that are either too cold or too hot

Your HVAC contractor can work with you to help you compare options.

Home Heating System Troubleshooting

Not all heating system issues require expensive repairs. Some problems are relatively easy to fix and can even be done by the homeowner themselves. For example:

Check that the thermostat is set to heat. Sometimes this setting can accidentally get turned off if you bump the thermostat.
Make sure the temperature set on the thermostat is higher than the actual temperature of the room. If there’s no heating coming out of your vents, it may mean that your thermostat is detecting that the set temperature has been reached.
Check your air filter. If it’s disposable, replace it. If it’s reusable, make sure you rinse it clean and let it dry thoroughly before replacing.
Make sure there is no furniture, curtains, or other objects blocking your air return or room vents.
If your system suddenly turned off, check to see if the circuit breaker has flipped.

If your heating system still doesn’t work right after troubleshooting common issues, you should contact a professional. You should also reach out right away if you smell burning or rotten eggs or if you hear banging or screeching sounds coming from your heater when it runs. If you have a gas furnace, it’s always better to leave issues to a trained professional.

Seasonal Home Heating Tips

Your heating needs change throughout the year. A few seasonal steps can help keep your system ready:

Autumn: Schedule your regular maintenance in the fall and check that your thermostat is working properly before the weather gets colder.

Winter: Keep snow from accumulating around your outside units. Listen for any strange sounds and be on the lookout for potential issues.

Spring: Have your system checked if there were problems during the winter and use this time to make major repairs or replace your system if needed.

Need Heating Services in Upstate SC or Western NC? Call Blue Ridge Heating & Air Today

At Blue Ridge Heating & Air, your comfort is our priority. We can help you keep your heating in great condition, replace a failing heating system, or help you upgrade to a new, energy-efficient model. We serve homeowners in Greenville, SC; Brevard, NC; and surrounding communities. Contact us today to schedule service or to get a quote by calling (864) 777-4387 (Greenville, SC) or (828) 372-5324 (Brevard, NC).