HVAC

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Choosing the right HVAC for your home depends on your climate/location. There are many different options depending on your budget and your current set up. In colder climates heating costs can be more than half of your home’s expenses. Here we will go over options that could potentially be the best solution to suit your needs.

xpert Guide to Home Heating: Key Statistics and Efficient Solutions

If your household budget is straining due to heating expenses, you may want to look for a more energy-efficient solution.

In this expert guide, we’ll break down heating costs for the 2024-2025 winter, reveal the most energy-efficient ways to heat your home, and explain how different heating systems work.

Home Heating Costs: What to Expect

The average household in the US spends between $600 and $1,200 in heating expenses every winter.

If you rely on electricity, your heating costs are expected to reach about $1189 this winter, a 14.2% increase from last season. Meanwhile, if you use propane, you’ll pay $1231 on average, a 4.41% increase.

Natural gas users will see the smallest jump, with heating expenses up by just 3% to around $634 for this winter.

Across all energy sources, heating costs are projected to rise by 8.7%, bringing the average household bill to $941 throughout the season.

While there isn’t a significant leap in energy costs, the colder temperatures forecast is the main culprit behind the increase in heating expenses.

Stop throwing your hard-earned cash out the window and choosing the most efficient heating source for your home and climate!

Top Energy-Efficient Solutions to Heat Your Home

Furnaces work best in extremely cold areas, heat pumps are better for moderate to cold climates, and mini-splits are better for zoned heating and cooling.

Now that you have the verdict, let’s see the pricing guide and break it all down:

Note: These costs don’t necessarily reflect what you’ll actually pay for each unit. It varies according to region, energy rates, home size, and whether this is the right heating solution for you.

Furnace

Nearly 47% of homes in the US use natural gas furnaces for heating, mainly because their life expectancy is high and their operations costs are relatively low.

As central heating systems, furnaces generate heat in a central location and then distribute it throughout the house using ducts. Modern furnaces have an AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating of 95%–100%, which means they convert 95% of energy into heat with minimal losses.

However, the AFUE doesn’t account for the energy lost through the duct system, which typically goes up when the ducts are located in unconditioned spaces, like garages and attics. On top of that, older furnaces aren’t nearly as efficient as newer ones, rated at about 56% to 70% AFUE.

Some features may increase the system’s efficiency, such as electronic ignition, which is a more efficient replacement for pilot lights. Additionally, furnaces with sealed combustion are more efficient because they draw air from outside, reducing heat loss.

Here’s a quick rundown of different types of furnaces:

• Gas furnaces: The most common type, mainly chosen for their high efficiency, low running costs, and affordable installation.
• Propane furnaces: Mostly common in areas where fuel is expensive or unavailable. A bit difficult to maintain.
• Electric furnaces: Relatively expensive to run but more environment-friendly.

Top Rated Furnace for the 2024-2025 Winter

With a peak AFUE of 98.5%, decent humidity control, and comfort features, the Carrier Infinity 98 gas furnace is our top choice for this winter.

Aside from the high rating and durability, Carrier offers solid warranties with its furnaces. Each one comes with a 20-year limited warranty for heat exchangers, a 10-year parts-only limited warranty, and a 3-year labor limited warranty.

Heat Pump

Heat pumps work by transferring heat from the outdoors to the inside of your home. In warmer weather, they do the opposite, removing the heat from your house’s air to keep it cool.

To pull this off, they use a fluid called refrigerant, which turns into a gas to absorb heat and then releases it when it returns to liquid form.

The fluid keeps cycling through the pipes, while the fans move the air to where it’s needed.

While all heat pumps run on the same technology, there are two different types on the market: air-source and ground-source.

Air-source heat pumps move heat between the outside air and your house, while ground-source ones move heat between your house and the ground.

Ground-source pumps are often used in commercial buildings and educational institutions to reduce utility costs in the long run. They’re not a top choice for houses because they tend to be pricier upfront, and that’s where air-source pumps fit in.

The good thing about heat pumps is that they’re all-in-one, handling both heating and cooling without the need for separate devices. They’re also cost-effective and environmentally friendly since they don’t burn fossil fuels.

The catch? Their upfront cost is high compared to other solutions, and they may struggle to perform well in extremely cold temperatures.

Top Rated Heat Pump for the 2024-2025 Winter

For colder areas, the Mitsubishi M-Series heat pumps are our top recommendation—and for good reason.

These pumps can maintain their best heating capacity in temperatures as low as 5F, and they’re capable of producing heat in temperatures as low as -13F.

They’re also highly efficient and have a capacity rating of 20,000–60,000 BTU/H.

A single outdoor unit can connect to multiple indoor units, accommodating large buildings and homes just fine.

Mini Split

Mini-splits consist of two units outdoor and indoor. The outdoor units circulate the refrigerant, while the indoor units offer zoned heating or cooling in your room of choice.

People love mini-splits for obvious reasons: they offer individual climate control, they’re efficient and environment-friendly, and they handle both heating and cooling.

Additionally, they don’t require any ductwork, making them less hassling to install.

Despite all that, they have high running costs because they run on electricity. They also don’t perform as well as other heating options in extreme temperatures.

Our top choice for a mini split this winter is the wall-mounted Senville SENL-30CD/Y. With a 1250–1500 sq. ft. coverage and a cooling capacity of 30,000 BTUs, it’s highly efficient for large areas. Plus, it doesn’t need floor space because it’s wall-mounted.

The only drawback to the Senville is its short two-year warranty for its parts.