Which Heating And Cooling Solutions Are Best For Mild Climates?
Posted on: 8 July 2015
People who live in mild climates have a lot of options on how to successfully heat and cool their home. If your current system is failing, and you live in a mild climate, check out these four heating and cooling options. Find the perfect one for your home.
Heat Pump
A heat pump is one of the best devices for people who live in mild climates. Heat pumps are extremely energy efficient, and they can save you between 30 and 40 percent off your utility bill. They aren't quite as effective as other systems, making them great for mild climates. During the summer, heat pumps can be set to cool your house by pulling in cold air and pushing out hot air. During the winter, they work in reverse to heat your home.
The two common types include ground-source and air-source. Ground-source systems are more effective and get hot and cold air from the ground, while air-source systems get hot and cold air from the air outside your home. If you elect to install an air-source heat pump, you may still need a traditional furnace as a back-up. Although you won't need to use it often, a furnace can ensure you stay warm during unusually cold days.
Radiant Heating
Radiant heat uses liquid-filled tubes or electric cables that are installed in your flooring to heat your home. The heat naturally rises from the floor into the rest of the room. Radiant heat is another energy-efficient option, but like a heat pump, it isn't as efficient as a traditional furnace. However, radiant heat doesn't create hot and cold spots the same way furnaces do because the heat is evenly spaced throughout the floor. Radiant heat is also more effective than air-source heat pumps.
If you install radiant heating, you probably won't need a back-up furnace, but radiant heat will never get your home as warm as a furnace can, which is why it is better for mild climates. You may, however, need to install a back-up cooling system because radiant heat cannot cool your house like a heat pump.
Solar Heating and Cooling
Solar Heating is great for mild climates because solar panels don't require heat. They just require sunlight. Solar heating is the most energy-efficient way to heat and cool your home because the sun's energy is free. However, the solar panels are just the power source. You'll still need something to actually cool and heat your house, such as a heat pump or furnace.
Solar heating and cooling isn't cheap, but you can't think of it as just a purchase. Think of it as an investment in your home. The longer you use it, the more you end up saving, and you should eventually break even thanks to all the monthly energy savings.
Portable Air Conditioning Units
For cooling needs (or back-up cooling for extremely hot days), portable air conditioning units work well. They are significantly less expensive than central air conditioning to install and run. They are a perfect way to keep different areas of your house cool without blowing up your monthly cooling costs. They aren't as effective as central air conditioning, but if you purchase the right system based on the size of the room in which you want it, it can successfully keep that room cool.
On the downside, they only cool one room at a time, so you'll need to purchase one for each room that you want to cool. Portable air conditioning units are also noisy, so you'll always be aware when yours is running, even when you're trying to sleep.
When you live in a mild climate, you don't have to worry so much about the most effective system, which means you can focus on finding an energy-efficient option that can reduce your monthly bills. For more information about heating and cooling, contact a heating and air conditioning contractor in your area today.
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