When you’re on your home search, you take detailed stock of the bathroom, the number of outlets, the bedroom size, BUT you might be neglecting an incredibly important aspect of your dream home. The way your home is heated is a particularly important thing to note when you’re touring prospective homes. If that old colonial is at the top of your list, you might want to check to make sure the heating source isn’t one fireplace in the living room. There are a few different types of home heating systems, and knowing what they are and their maintenance will help you make a more informed decision when it comes time to close on your dream home.
Central HVAC
Central heating is the most common heating system in modern homes. It typically involves a duct system throughout the house via a furnace. There are a few different versions of the central HVAC system, including electric, gas, and hydronic. Each version comes with its own maintenance, but in every case, you’ll want to regularly inspect and clean your ventilation ducts, as well as checking for leaks. Dirty or leaky air vents will not only make your system less efficient, they will also cause uneven airflow throughout rooms. Dirty ducts will also cause problems with air quality, which can intensify allergy symptoms and make it harder to breathe. As long as you inspect your ducts and equipment on an annual basis, this is a relatively low maintenance home heating system.
Wood Stove
Wood stoves are often found in older homes, so you may not see them on your home search. They’re often used as a supplement to central heating systems, but you might find that your prospective home’s central heating source is a wood stove if the home is particularly dated. Wood stoves are a wonderful heating solution if you live in a rural area without access to gas lines. Wood is generally cheaper than gas, electricity, or coals, so it can be a great cost-effective heating system. If you cut your own wood rather than ordering firewood, the savings grow even more. An important thing to note is that not all loan programs will approve wood stoves, so it might be more difficult to finance your home if it has one as its heating source. Work with your realtor and mortgage lender to make sure your loan will be approved. Wood stoves might not be as beautiful as an open fire or a fireplace, they’re much more efficient and a lot safer.
Fireplace
A fireplace has many of the same perks as a wood stove, with the added benefit of adding a décor piece to your home. While a fireplace may not be able to consistently heat your entire home, it provides a romantic heating zone to gather family and spend quality time together. A fireplace comes with its own set of challenges, however, like continuous maintenance and seasonal expenses. There are two main types of fireplaces – wood burning and gas. Wood burning fireplaces are the least efficient in providing heat, but they do provide an incredibly cost-effective solution for zone heating your home. They also give your home a classic feel. Gas fireplaces are a more energy efficient alternative to traditional wood fireplaces, but can increase your chances of carbon monoxide exposure – so you need constant vigilance when you’re heating your home with one. Fireplaces do require routine maintenance like sweeping and inspections, so make sure you keep up with it to protect the longevity of your fireplace.
Space Heaters
Portable space heaters are an inexpensive solution to zone heating different parts of your home. They mostly run on electricity and require little to no maintenance. While the initial cost is inexpensive compared to other heating systems, their continued use ends up being more costly because they require constant power. Because of that, they work much better as a short-term solution when getting a new system installed or when doing maintenance on a current system. They also work well in small spaces where you can’t fit a fireplace or there’s no need for a central heating system. They’re also a solution to manufactured homes or temporary homes if you don’t want to make permanent or costly changes. Be aware that space heaters do have a higher long-term cost on your utility bill, and also come with their own hazards, so they are best suited for short term use.
There are more options available to you than ever when it comes to heating your home. With proper research and maintenance, you can make sure your home stays toasty all winter long. If you need helping researching rules and regulations when it comes to your home and specific loan programs, please contact one of our lenders today!
