Down here in Mandeville, LA, we don’t get the coldest temperatures imaginable. Things sure do get chilly, especially at night, but we’re not really going through any safety emergencies when our heaters run into problems. The most important factor of our heating systems is their efficiency. The more efficient your heater is, the better off you will be going forward and the less you’ll have to pay for your bills!
This blog post is all about energy efficiency. We want to talk about how to measure it, what it actually means, and which heating system is the most efficient when you’re choosing one. This is going to be important in the future because when utility bills rise, it can be a sign that you need heating repair in Mandeville, LA, and that’s going to depend on the efficiency of your system starting out.
Are Furnaces Energy Efficient in Modern Homes?
Furnaces are amazingly efficient when it comes to heating an entire home. The word furnace pretty much entails that heat is being generated as the system gets heated to a high temperature. This can be through the burning of gas, or even through the process of electrical resistance. The big difference between a furnace and other heating systems listed here is that furnaces create their heat while heat pumps and other refrigerant-based systems move heat from one location to another.
Gas or Electric?
Your two main options for furnaces are gas or electric. Each of these is efficient for different reasons, so let us go into detail about each one.
- Gas furnaces. If you have access to natural gas, then we’d highly advise you to invest in a natural gas furnace. These systems operate with extremely high efficiency ratings and they’re clean-burning. Gas furnaces are a great way to get safe, affordable heat into your home for a decade or more.
- Electrical furnaces. Electric furnaces are a great option for homes that don’t have access to natural gas. They run via electricity and they can run at high efficiency levels depending on how affordable electricity rates are in your area. Check with our team to see if this system would be the most efficient and affordable for your home!
Evaluating Energy Efficiency of Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are amazing systems because they work at peak efficiency in mild winters and hot summers. They function both as air conditioners and heaters since they can move heat from one location to the other. In the summertime, they’ll bring heat from inside your house and deposit it outdoors. And in the wintertime, they’ll take heat from outside and bring it in.
This means that for a pretty low energy cost, you’re getting sensible heat and air conditioning. Don’t forget that heat pumps also come in ductless form, so you can use the same technology without air ducts!
How Repairs Impact Heater Efficiency Over Time
Poor efficiency can be a sign that your heating system needs repairs. Compare your energy bills to the bills you had the year before and in all the previous years you’ve had your system. In many cases, these bills are accessible online. If you’re noticing a trend, or even a spike upwards, then your system could need some serious repairs performed by a professional. When in doubt, call our team and we’ll sort things out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Which heater types are considered the most energy efficient overall?
Answer: Heat pumps, especially air source and ground source variants, are often the most energy efficient options. By transferring heat instead of generating it, they deliver multiple units of heat for each unit of electricity used. Ground source heat pumps can reach CoPs (Coefficients of Performance) of 3 to 6, outperforming electric resistance systems.
Question: How do furnaces compare in terms of energy efficiency?
Answer: High efficiency condensing gas furnaces can achieve efficiency ratings between 90% and 98% (AFUE), making them very effective if you have access to natural gas. Electric furnaces also perform efficiently, depending on local electricity rates.
Question: What makes space heaters vary in energy efficiency?
Answer: All electric space heaters convert electricity to heat nearly 100% efficiently, but true savings come from matching output to actual heating needs. Models with adjustable settings, thermostats, or ECO modes help minimize wasted energy. Infrared heaters can also be more efficient by heating people and objects directly rather than just air.
Question: Which space heater models are known for top energy efficiency?
Answer: The Vornado AVH10 is praised for delivering strong, efficient heating across small to large spaces, with safety and quiet operation. The Boldr Kelvin was specifically called “best energy efficient” in tests. Reviewers also highlight Dr. Infrared heaters as highly efficient, especially for larger areas.