Nailing It Down
By Dave Murnen and Pat Beaty
We are going to talk about heat sources over the next few weeks in the hope that it helps you make good decisions about your existing system — and maybe its replacement.
Is your current heating system meeting the needs of your family, your home, your budget?
If the cost of operating your heating system, or its efficiency or safety, has you thinking about your options, this is the column for you!
What do you need it for?
The right heating system depends on many things, including just why you are looking into a new heating system.
Usually it is because the old system is constantly breaking or underperforming. Maybe you’ve added on to the house and your existing system is undersized. Perhaps you are planning to upgrade a component like the outside heat pump unit, but it isn’t going to be compatible with your current central air handler. That could mean a large investment. Maybe you can’t afford to turn on those darned baseboard heaters or the stinky strip-heat furnace from the 1960s, and you’re sick and tired of being always cold and tired and even sick from mold and mildew — which is really not good!
Is dealing with buying seasoned wood or locating a source, cutting, splitting, transporting, stacking and loading the fire box all day and night an issue now? And, oh how about cleaning out the ashes, cleaning the chimney flue pipe and replacing the firebrick? Are you maybe a little concerned about the pollution that comes from burning any fossil fuel? These are all good reasons to read this column.
Show me the money!
To compare your options, we suggest not only looking at the cost of the mechanical system and its installation, but also at maintenance requirements, warranties and what the expected monthly heating bills will be for as long as you own it. And, what about climate change and adding more pollution into the air? In some cases, the most economical choice is also the least polluting.
Before you settle on one system or even one company to purchase and install it, you might want to get the benefit of the knowledge from more than one company. Invite several providers to inspect your house and give you some options, including the expected heating results, any challenges to expect, the estimated annual cost to operate and maintain, the best location of equipment for optimal performance, the size of the unit needed to both heat and cool your house, and what options will yield the longest life from the equipment.
Getting the best information is the start of a great plan to get what you want at a price you can afford. Friends and family are an additional source of info about comfort, maintenance and expenses in a real home. A salesperson can tell you a lot, but there’s nothing like asking opinions from people you trust and who have nothing to gain or lose.
There are a lot of variables, though, that only your heating specialist will take be able to factor in for the final best choices. For example, the efficiency and fuel cost will depend on how well insulated your home is along with its total glass surface.
Another consideration is the cost of fuel and availability for various heating types. This may make a difference depending on where your house is located. For example, natural gas may not be available locally, or the source of pellets for a pellet stove may be 30 miles away. This is good information to have.
Here are some general pros and cons for other than oil furnace heat systems:
Electrical baseboard heaters
Pros
Inexpensive to buy
Quiet
Low maintenance
Somewhat cleaner than other types of resistant heaters
Cons
Not child-proof
Least efficient type of electrical heat
May require additional wiring or service panel upgrades
The units reduce your effective room size because they pose a potential fire hazard
Doesn’t work if power goes out
^
Cadet wall heaters
Pros
Inexpensive to buy
Instant fan-forced heat
More efficient than baseboards
Cons
May require service upgrades or additional wiring
Noisy
Require regular cleaning of the coils and fan
Attractive nuisance to toddlers
As a potential fire hazard, the units limit your furniture and door layout
Not a very comfortable heat source
Doesn’t work if power goes out
^
Heat pump/air handler/ductwork
Pros
Best electrical heating/cooling source for this area
Non-polluting
Available in all areas
Geothermal units are exceptionally efficient
Cons
Initial expense can be high
May require an electrical service upgrade
Location of exterior unit may be a practical and aesthetic issue
Requires an air handler type furnace and ductwork
Doesn’t work if power goes out
^
Ductless heat pump
Pros
Best electrical heating/cooling source for this area
Non-polluting
Available in all areas
No ductwork required
Super-efficient
Relatively low price after rebates
Cons
Location of small interior and exterior units may be a practical and aesthetic issue
Doesn’t work if power goes out
Heats/cools what it can “see”
^
Gas
Pros
Nice type of heat
Usually requires ductwork
Clean burning, but still produces carbon monoxide
Can choose from a variety of appliance types
Cons
Not available in all areas
Maintenance required to avoid carbon monoxide concerns
Complicated piping, cutting and venting may be required
May not work if power goes out
^
Pellet stove
Pros
Nice, dry heat
Fueling is easy
No bugs
Cons
Pellets are expensive
Fuel storage takes room
Stove requires electricity to work
Potential safety hazard with toddlers
Doesn’t work if power goes out
^
Wood stove
Pros
Wonderful heat
Great ambience
Inexpensive if you have a source of wood
Always works when the power is out
Cons
Safety concerns with a hot stove
Time-consuming wood splitting, handling
Need to have large storage area for wood
Bugs, dirt and bark can infest and dirty your home
Environmental concerns
Dave Murnen and Pat Beaty are construction specialists at NeighborWorks of Grays Harbor County, where Murnen is executive director. This is a nonprofit organization committed to creating safe and affordable housing for all residents of Grays Harbor County. For questions about home repair, renting, remodeling or buying, call 360-533-7828 or visit 710 E. Market St. in Aberdeen.
