With average temperatures ranging from 10 degrees to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, Nebraska winters can be brutal if you don’t have a reliable heating system. Fortunately, you do have a few options when it comes to heating your home, the most common being baseboard heaters and central heating systems. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each option so that you can decide which one is best for your home.
Baseboard Heaters
Baseboard heaters are installed along the baseboards in a given space, usually under windows to help prevent cold air from seeping in. They can be either electric or hydronic. Electric baseboard heaters rely on hot metal fins that heat cool air that passes over them, while hydronic heaters use a hot liquid such as oil or water to radiate heat into the surrounding space. Both types of baseboard heaters are controlled by a thermostat that regulates the heater in a specific space, which is why baseboard heat is essentially zoned heating. Raising the temperature in one room with baseboard heaters won’t affect the temperature in other spaces.
The Pros and Cons of Baseboard Heat
Baseboard heating is an excellent option for homes that don’t have the ductwork for central heat. They can be installed into practically any space, including older homes and apartments, and they cost considerably less upfront than a furnace. They are also very quiet when they run. You probably won’t know that they’re even on until the surrounding space starts to feel warmer. The fact that baseboard heat is zoned heat is another benefit. If you start to feel cold in a room with baseboard heaters, you can turn up the thermostat without disturbing anyone else in the house. When you leave the room, simply turn off the heaters to save electricity.
As for the downsides of baseboard heaters, they are less energy efficient than other heating options. In fact, central heat uses about 50 percent less electricity than baseboard heaters on average. They can also affect the interior design of your home. While most baseboard heaters are unobtrusive enough, not everyone likes the idea of radiators running along the baseboards of their homes. Finally, baseboard heaters can get very hot to the touch when they’re turned on, making them potentially unsafe if you have curious small children in your home.
Central Heat
Central heating system relies on a furnace to distribute warm air throughout your home through a series of ducts. They generally run on either gas or electricity, and they are found in most larger homes. Most central heating systems are quite intricate and include a furnace and an air conditioning system.
The Pros and Cons of Central Heat
The biggest benefit of a central HVAC system is that it can heat or cool your home depending on the time of year and the temperature outside. They also have a long lifespan as long as they are properly maintained, with many systems lasting around 15 to 20 years before they need to be replaced. Most systems are also easy to control. In most cases, it only takes one thermostat to regulate the temperature in your entire house. Finally, central heating systems tend to be more energy efficient than baseboard heat, especially if you install a newer system that is built for efficiency.
The biggest downside of central heating systems is that they require a lot more maintenance than baseboard heat. A good HVAC system can last for years, but it will require annual maintenance if you want to get the most out of it. Central heating systems also usually don’t allow for zoned heating. Some newer systems do, but the point of most furnaces is that they heat your home evenly through a series of ducts and vents throughout your house. This also means that installing a new central heating system means that these ducts need to be installed as well if there is no existing ductwork. This can often require a large-scale renovation of your home, which adds to the overall cost of installation.
Contact Xtreme Heating & Cooling LLC for More Information
If you’re interested in a new heating system for your home, Xtreme Heating & Cooling LLC will be happy to assist you. Our technicians work with all makes and models of equipment, and we can help you find the heating solution that is right for your home. We also offer heating repair and maintenance so you won’t be left out in the cold this winter should your heater break down.
For more information about our heating installation and maintenance services or if you have any questions about finding the right heating solution for you, contact Xtreme Heating & Cooling LLC in Omaha, NE today.
