Your Guide to Energy-Efficient Home Heating Systems

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Heating the home in winter is one of the biggest household expenses. According to the EPA, 42% of the energy we use at home is for heating. While energy costs have risen, the improved energy efficiency of today’s heating systems offset those energy prices.

There are plenty of energy-efficient home heating systems available for every budget to help you stay warm this winter, and save you money in the process. Here’s your guide to the latest energy-efficient home heating systems.

Let’s talk efficiency strategy first

The most important component of an energy-efficient home heating system isn’t the system itself, but how well your home uses the system’s output.

Sealing leaks in the doors, windows, walls, and floors should be your first priority. Insulation, caulk, and weatherstripping may be necessary around windows, doors or other drafty spots. These small steps are worth the investment — they’ll save you money in the long run in lower utility bills.

Some cities will send out a free home energy auditor who can help you find potential drafts and air leaks which may cause your system to work harder to keep your home warm. Energy.gov has a helpful video explaining how to do your own home energy audit.

How to choose the most energy-efficient home heating system

Think about the following six questions before you decide on the best and most efficient heating system for your home.

What’s the climate like?

A colder climate might require a larger, highly efficient system that can heat your home appropriately while minimizing heating costs over the long winter.

A portable heater or smaller zoned system may be better in temperate climates where heating is only needed on colder days.

How much of your home or apartment do you actually need to heat?

Do you want to pay to heat an entire home or just a couple of select rooms? Choose a system with vents that can be closed or adjusted so you can choose to heat rooms you use most. A thermostat is also essential to efficiency to keep the system running only when it needs to.

How much space do you have available for your heating system?

A large furnace may not be practical if you have a small home or apartment. Outdoor units like heat pumps may not be possible without a yard or outdoor area for the unit.

What fuel is available and how much will it cost to heat your home?

Common fuel options include natural gas, heating oil, electricity, or propane, all of which can vary widely in price. Consider the lifetime cost of running an electric heating system versus one powered by a petroleum-based fuel.

Can I afford a renewable energy heating system?

A solar or geothermal unit may have a big initial price tag, but there are plenty of rebates and incentives to consider. The lower monthly costs and the increase in your home’s value may also make the initial investment worth it. Many renewable energy companies can help you decide if the system and the payback period is right for your situation.

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The latest and most energy-efficient heating systems

We’ve broken down the latest available energy-efficient heating systems by type. Now that you have an idea of what type of heating system is best for your home, let’s explore the options.

Energy-efficient furnaces and boilers

The latest boilers, gas furnaces and oil furnaces are ultra-efficient and green. They’re designed to easily replace your existing heater.

• Furnaces are equipped with a duct system that delivers warm air to the rooms of your choice.
• Boilers deliver hot water in homes heated with radiators, baseboard heaters or radiant floor heat.

Current models have an impressive 90% to 94% efficiency range, which can save you a lot of money on fuel. The XC95M Gas Furnace from Trane has an efficiency rating of up to 97%. In fact, the savings may offset replacing your current heater if it’s more than 10 years old.

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Heat pump systems

One of the earth-friendliest and most energy-efficient home heating system options is the heat pump system. They don’t use fossil fuel at all. Instead, they intake heat from the air or ground, which is delivered to the home via an electric pump. This type of system can also draw cool air and work as an air conditioner in summer.

Heat-pump systems come in two varieties: ground source and air source.

• Ground-source heating pumps are also called geothermal systems. Less common than air-source heat pumps, they draw heat from the earth via pipes buried roughly 6 to 8 feet beneath the ground.
• Air-source heat pumps draw natural heat out of the atmosphere, even if it’s cold outside. They concentrate the heat and distribute it via pipes or a duct system throughout the house.

For every BTU of electrical energy needed to power an air-source heat pump, expect to get at least 3 BTU of heat. For ground-source systems, the ratio improves to roughly 1:4.

Both types are suitable for existing homes although air-source heat pumps are easier and less expensive to install because they don’t require underground excavation.

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Solar heating systems

Using solar power to heat your home is the cheapest and most earth-friendly way to heat your home since you’re using the sun’s free energy. The only issue with a solar heating system is that it needs sunshine to work. If you live in a region where winter is cold and regularly cloudy, this type of system may not be reliable.

Solar hot air heating

A solar hot air system is newer on the market and one of the easiest systems to install. It’s also the most cost-effective means of heating a home and based on certification can qualify for up to a 30% federal rebate.

Solar hot air heating is best for heating a home in a temperate climate or when used as a secondary heat source, since the system relies on steady sunshine.

Solar collectors are mounted on the sunniest, south-facing walls of a home. The sun heats them up and when the collector reaches 110 degrees Fahrenheit, a small fan turns on to pull cool air from the room into the collector to heat the air and pump it back in the room.

Each hot air collector panel can heat 500 square feet. If you’re handy, you can even install them yourself.

Solar thermal heating systems

If you already have an existing radiant floor, forced-air, baseboard hot water system a solar thermal system may be a great way to upgrade it to be more efficient.

Solar collectors are mounted on the roof of a house and connected to an indoor water storage tank. Pumps circulate the water from the tank to the solar collectors to be heated and pumped back to the tank to distribute the hot water to warm the house.

This system is more expensive and can create excess hot water that is wasted, so it may not be the best for locations with short winters or milder climates.

Heating your home efficiently in a well-planned and environmentally friendly way will pay off in comfort, property value, and long-term savings. Do your research and be sure to weigh the pros and cons to make sure your investment pays off over time.

Feeling inspired to take on more DIY products to improve your home’s energy efficiency? Check out these simple projects to improve your home’s energy efficiency from Energy.gov.

Additional resources: 

Why Isn’t My Air Conditioner Working?
Keeping Cool: How to Choose the Right A/C Unit
HVAC Basics: What’s a Good SEER Rating? 
Clever Ways to Hide an Ugly HVAC Unit