Natural Gas And Propane Heat

While they are not exactly the same, natural gas and propane heating have enough similarities that we thought to group them in the same category. They burn much cleaner than some other heat sources and are two of the most efficient heating systems on the market today. Natural gas and propane can have up to 96% efficiency. Natural gas is much more common in densely populated areas like cities, while propane is used in more rural areas. These can both also be used in gas fireplaces and are much less labor-intensive and manual than an actual wood fireplace. Consumers looking to switch to natural gas or propane should be aware, however, that pricing for either of these can vary and it may be a good idea to research providers in your area to get a better idea of the monthly cost.

Oil Heat

Many consumers have made the switch to alternative methods of heating their homes, but oil is still a very common heating system. For a period of time, oil was looked at as being expensive and inefficient. But modern oil heating systems are far more cost-effective than their older counterparts. Though less efficient than natural gas and propane, oil is still a great way to heat your home. With older systems having around 70% efficiency, newer oil heating systems can achieve up to 86% efficiency. Oil prices can fluctuate frequently, so it is best for consumers to fill up oil tanks when prices are low.

Electric Heat

When it comes to the efficiency of energy being used to produce heat, electric heat is by far the most efficient. Electric heat uses 100% of the energy being used to produce heat. This outperforms every other heating system on the market in terms of efficiency. With several different ways to use electric heat, it is also a popular heating system because it gives consumers options. Whether it is electric fireplaces, baseboard heaters, or heat pumps, electric heat may be a great choice for some. Perhaps the biggest drawback of electric heat is the cost. While it is the most efficient heat source in terms of energy usage, the amount of electricity needed to heat a home can be very high. In recent years, consumers have begun to offset the cost of their electricity by installing solar pans and wind turbines.

Geothermal Heat

One of the newest heating systems on the market is geothermal heat. Since its inception in the 1990s, geothermal heat has become the fastest-growing heating system on the market today. While it was not widely accepted at first, geothermal heat can be a great alternative for those who want to heat their homes without relying on oil or where gas is not available. In the past, it was difficult to find a heating company that could work on a geothermal heating system. UGI Heating, Cooling & Plumbing has worked with geothermal heating and can certainly fulfill your needs. Geothermal heating derives its heat from the ground. Piping that is in the ground brings up heat stored in the earth and sends it to a compressor that regulates the temperature to heat the home. A geothermal system can be quite costly to install and may have an impact on your electricity usage, but eventually, the system may end up paying for itself. Consumers may even benefit from incentives provided by the federal government for geothermal heating systems.