Which Is More Expensive: Heating or Cooling
Have you ever noticed how your energy bills soar when you’re struggling to keep cool in the blazing summer heat or cozy during winter’s icy grip? This struggle has made many homeowners want to know which costs more: home heating or cooling
This question isn’t necessarily straightforward, as it can depend on several factors. Carefully review each one to know for sure whether your bills will be higher in the summer or the winter. Then, try these tips to keep monthly energy costs down all year-round.
Which Kind of HVAC System Is Installed?
The specific system you use to heat and cool your home greatly affects your total costs. Designs range from the traditional furnace and air conditioner combo to an innovative heat pump or ductless mini-split. Older, less efficient systems usually have higher operating costs, while the newest models deliver higher efficiency.
When your HVAC system is more than 10 years old and you’re ready for higher savings, try finding a high-efficiency HVAC system. The ideal make and model for you depends on your home’s size and layout, the surrounding climate, and whether your home already has air ducts.
What Fuels Do You Use to Heat and Cool Your Home?
The cost of heating and cooling two different homes may vary significantly based on their fuel sources. In many areas, natural gas is cheaper than electricity, making gas furnaces more affordable to operate than electric air conditioners.
On that note, electric furnaces are notoriously expensive to run. If electricity is your only or most preferred option, a heat pump is a more efficient alternative. This system offers both heating and cooling capabilities at a lower operating cost than traditional electric furnaces or space heaters.
Do You Have Solar Panels?
Putting in solar panels can dramatically offset electricity costs, making them an economical investment for many homeowners. Solar panels are especially useful for homes with primarily electric HVAC systems, like heat pumps or electric furnaces and air conditioners, as they can take advantage of the sun’s limitless energy to power these systems.
At the same time, solar energy won’t affect the costs related to natural gas or other fossil fuels. So with this setup, heating with a gas-fueled furnace is more expensive than cooling with an electric AC.
What’s the Climate Like Where You Live?
The local climate is one of the most important factors affecting heating and cooling costs. In general, the larger the temperature difference between your home and outdoors, the higher your energy use will need to be to maintain comfortable temperatures.
As a result, cooling costs are usually higher than heating costs in hotter southern climates, where the risk of dangerously high outdoor temperatures is greater. On the other hand, yearly heating costs far exceed cooling costs in temperate climates with long, cold winters, reflecting the energy necessary for keeping the home warm all year long.
How Do You Set Your Thermostat?
Your thermostat settings directly impact what you pay for heating and cooling. Preferences vary; some like their homes warmer, leading to higher heating costs, while others prefer cooler temperatures, increasing cooling costs. Set your thermostat lower each winter and higher in time for summer, and then dress for the season to stay comfortable while saving on energy costs. A smart thermostat can optimize your thermostat settings, lowering your overall expenses.
What Does Your Landscaping Look Like?
You don’t always think of it at first, but the landscaping’s shrubs and trees around your home greatly influences home temperatures. Plants that shade your house reduce cooling costs in the summer but can block warming sunlight during winter. Conversely, full sun exposure on your property leads to more expensive air conditioning 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 provides 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 orientation of your home affects its sun exposure, in turn influencing heating and cooling needs. Homes with significant southern exposure receive more sunlight, making them easier to heat in the winter but potentially harder to cool in the summer. Homes oriented north, meanwhile, receive less direct sunlight, staying cooler in the summer but requiring more heat during winter.
Tailored HVAC Solutions to Meet Your Needs
Every homeowner’s situation is a little different. That’s why ´óÏó´«Ã½ Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 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 lower your heating and cooling costs without compromising comfort, contact ´óÏó´«Ã½ Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for personalized assistance.
