Heating Homes, and Saving the Climate? A Look at Modern Systems
Ensuring your house stays warm when it’s cold outside is important for comfort, but the way we heat our homes can have a significant impact on the entire planet. Older heating systems, such as old furnaces that burn fossil fuels, can emit greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Thankfully, there are more sustainable heating options available. These contemporary systems are designed to minimize our carbon footprint, but, like all products, they come with pros and cons that are definitely worth considering.
The Green Scene: The Benefits of Going Green With Your Heating
Green heating systems also have the added advantage of being able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, electric heat pumps don’t burn fossil fuels on-site at your home. Instead, they move heat from the outside air or ground into your house and require electricity to operate. If that electricity is renewable, in the form of solar or wind power, the heating becomes even cleaner. This is where you can really make a difference in terms of how much of an air polluter and climate changer your system will be.
Some of these systems will also save you money over time on your energy bills. Although the initial investment to install a heat pump may be higher than that of a traditional furnace, they ultimately tend to be more energy-efficient and can result in savings on monthly heating bills that accumulate over time. Additionally, some states offer incentives or tax credits for installing energy-efficient heating systems, which can make these systems more affordable.
Weighing the Trade-Offs: The Potential Downsides
While there is much to recommend eco-friendly heating, there are some things to consider before making the move. One downside is the initial investment. More modern and efficient systems that run on geothermal heat pumps, which extract heat from the ground, may cost more to install because they require digging in and around the yard to bury pipes. Although air-source heat pumps are now a much more common technology with more modest prices, they can be somewhat less efficient in the coldest climates. However, newer models perform much better in cooler temperatures than older generations.
There’s another point to consider here: the “greenness” of some electric heating options will depend, at least partly, on how the electricity in your area is being generated. If the bulk of your electricity comes from coal-fired power plants, an electric heat pump may not be as environmentally friendly as it would be if the electricity came from renewable sources.
If you are in the market for a new heating system, an HVAC professional can help you explore your options. Reach out to Crocker Refrigeration Heating & Air to see which heating systems are right for your Santa Barbara, CA home.
