Which Is More Expensive: Heating or Cooling
Have you ever noticed how your energy bills increase whenever you try to keep cool in the heat of summer or warm during winter’s icy grip? This struggle has made many homeowners try to learn for themselves if it's more expensive to heat or cool their homes
Trying to find this out isn't always straightforward, as it might differ based on several factors. Take the time to learn about each one to know for sure whether your bills may be higher in the winter or the summer. Then, consider our tips to keep your utility costs down all year-round.
Which Specific Sort of HVAC System Do You Have?
The specific system you use to cool and heat your home influences your utility bills. Options range from the traditional furnace and air conditioner combo to an innovative heat pump or ductless mini-split. Older systems with lower efficiency will likely have higher operating costs, while the newest models boast much higher efficiency.
When your HVAC system is more than 10 years old and you’re ready for higher savings, we recommend a high-efficiency HVAC system. The ideal make and model for you relies on your home’s size and layout, the surrounding climate, and whether your home already has air ducts.
How Your Heating and Cooling Fuel Choices Affect Your Bills
The cost of heating and cooling two different homes may differ greatly based on their fuel sources. In many areas, natural gas is less expensive than electricity, making gas furnaces more cost-effective than electric air conditioners.
On that note, electric furnaces are remarkably pricey to run. If electricity is your primary or favored choice, a heat pump is a more economical choice. This system offers both heating and cooling capabilities at a lower operating cost than traditional electric furnaces or space heaters.
The Impact of Solar Panels on Your HVAC Costs
Installing solar panels can significantly reduce electricity costs, making them an economical investment for many homeowners. Solar panels are an ideal strategy for homes with primarily electric HVAC systems, including heat pumps or electric furnaces and air conditioners, using the sun’s renewable energy to power these systems.
At the same time, solar energy isn't going to have an impact on the costs related to natural gas or other fossil fuels. So in this instance, heating with a gas-fueled furnace is costlier than cooling with an electric AC.
The Influence of Climate on Your Heating and Cooling Expenses
The local climate is one of the most significant factors impacting heating and cooling costs. In general, the wider the temperature difference between your home and outdoors, the higher your energy use will need to be to maintain a complete sense of comfort.
Because of this, cooling costs will be more expensive than heating costs in hotter southern climates, where the frequency of severely high outdoor temperatures is greater. On the other hand, your overall heating costs surpass cooling costs in northern climates with harsh winters, reflecting the energy used to keep the home warm against the frigid exterior.
How Do You Set Your Thermostat?
Your thermostat settings directly impact what you pay for heating and cooling. Preferences vary; some prefer their homes cozier, resulting in increased heating costs, while others prefer cooler temperatures, boosting cooling costs. Set your thermostat lower in the winter and higher in the summer, and then wear season-appropriate clothing to stay comfortable while cutting down energy costs. A smart thermostat can adjust your home's temperature on its own, lowering your overall expenses.
What Does Your Landscaping Look Like?
You don't always consider it initially, but the landscaping's shrubs and trees around your home significantly affects home temperatures. Plants that offer afternoon shade for your house lower cooling costs in the summer but can similarly shield you from warming sunlight during winter. Conversely, total exposure on your property results in more costly cooling expenses and lower heating bills.
Want to enjoy the best of both worlds? Add a few deciduous trees on the property's south and west sides. This generates summertime shade while allowing the sunlight to filter through in the winter once the trees have shed their leaves.
What Direction Does Your Home Face?
Even the direction of your home influences its sun exposure, in turn affecting heating and cooling needs. Homes with significant southern exposure get more sunlight, making them an easier orientation for staying warm in the winter but potentially harder to cool in the summer. Homes looking north, meanwhile, get less direct sunlight, staying cooler in the summer but requiring more heat in the winter.
Tailored HVAC Solutions to Meet Your Needs
Every homeowner’s situation is a little different. That’s why Service Experts offers custom HVAC solutions to maximize comfort and efficiency. Our fast, long-lasting services and repairs are designed to solve all your comfort problems. So, if you want to cut your heating and cooling costs without sacrificing comfort, contact Service Experts for tailored assistance.
