Written on: September 28, 2020
When it comes time to replace your heating system– or to install one in your newly-built Connecticut or northern Westchester County home – there are many options to choose from. Two of the most popular of these choices are forced air and hydronic systems, the key component of which are furnaces and boilers, respectively.
How do you choose the best one for you? Let’s take a look.
As much as you might like to change to a different type of heating system, your options may be limited by the type of system you currently have in place: converting to a forced air furnace from a hydronic system (or vice versa) may not be practical because of the ductwork or piping systems that are already installed.
One option you may have at this juncture, however, is to convert to a different fuel source – for example, switching from an electric-based system (such as a heat pump) to an oil-fired heating system. Doing so may be worth the investment when you consider the ongoing cost of keeping your heating system pumping out the BTUs for years to come.
Those installing heating systems in a new home are not as limited when evaluating their heating system options. Here the decision may be driven more by the climate where the house is built, and on whether there is a need for both heating and air conditioning.
Using a hydronic system (one with boiler and either radiators or baseboard heating) could be an advantage if you don’t use air conditioning often. New options for boilers also include high efficiency multifunction units such as an Energy Kinetics System 2000, which combines home space heating with water heating in a single housing.
If you do frequently call on both heating and cooling systems, forced air units – part of a central air/heating system – will often be more practical.
When choosing a heating system for a particular structure, it’s best to take into account the whole picture: the structures that exist in your home, your heating and cooling needs, and the power source that will deliver the most heating bang for your buck.
The best way to make a decision about your heating system is with the help of a trusted pro like Westmore Fuel. Our team of experts can help you understand what choices make sense for you given your home, lifestyle, and budget. Once you make a choice you’re happy with, we can install that system for you quickly and correctly, so you can enjoy a warm and comfortable home for years go come.
Looking to replace or install a new heating system in your home? We can help! Contact the pros at Westmore Fuel Co. today to learn more about oil-fired heating installations in Fairfield County, CT and northern Westchester County, NY!