Heating > High-Efficiency Heating and Cooling Options
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High-Efficiency Heating Options
Reduce energy costs and pollution by updating your system.
 If your heating system is older, you might be able to cut your fuel bills and your furnace's pollution output in half with a new, high-efficiency unit. Here are some examples of the options and the energy savings you could realize:
Furnaces and boilers. Upgrading your furnace or boiler from 56% to 90% efficiency in an average cold-climate house will save 1.5 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year if you heat with gas, or 2.5 tons if you heat with oil.*
Heat pumps. If you live in a mild climate and heat with electricity, a high-efficiency heat pump can trim the amount of electricity you use for heating by as much as 30%–40%. High-efficiency heat pumps also dehumidify better than standard central air conditioners, resulting in less energy usage and more cooling comfort in summer months.
Dual-fuel heat pumps. A dual-fuel heat pump system combines an electric heat pump and gas furnace. In areas of the country where temperatures are typically above freezing and that have low electric rates, this is one of the most versatile, efficient and economical heating-and-cooling systems available.
Geothermal heat pumps. Unlike standard heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps use the ground or water to absorb or dissipate heat. Compared to air-source heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps are more efficient, quieter, last longer, need little maintenance, and do not depend on the temperature of the outside air.
Dual-source heat pumps. These systems combine a standard air-source heat pump with a geothermal heat pump. Dual-source heat pumps have higher efficiency ratings than air-source units, but are not as efficient as geothermal units. However, they cost much less to install than a geothermal unit, and work almost as well.
Radiant heat systems. These systems supply heat directly to the floor or to panels in the wall or ceiling of a house. Radiant heating is usually more energy efficient than forced-air heating because no energy is lost through ducts.
Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) extends, expands, and simplifies the federal income tax credits for homeowners who make energy efficiency home improvements. The law extends the consumer tax benefits through 2010; triples the total available tax credit from $500 to $1,500; and increases the tax credit to 30% of the cost of each qualified energy efficiency improvement. Learn more.
Find more information on available tax credits at the Energy Star web site:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits
Contact ARS®/Rescue Rooter® to schedule a no-cost analysis of the benefits and savings of replacing your system with a new high-efficiency system.
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