How Do Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems Save Money on Heating Bills?
As Arizonians, we are experts on summer heat and staying cool without breaking the bank. When Greater Tucson’s overnight temperatures drop into the 30s, we also need to become savvy about efficient heating.
At Hamstra Heating & Cooling, we are all about helping our neighbors save money while staying comfortable. Family-owned and operated since 1983, we are trusted HVAC experts serving households in and around Pima County.
We find affordable comfort solutions for homeowners who increasingly ask us, “How can I heat my home and lower my energy bills?”
The answer is an energy-efficient HVAC system. Whether you love classic gas furnaces or are curious about the latest heat pump technology, upgrading to high-efficiency equipment is the single best way to reduce monthly costs while improving comfort in your Tuscon, home.
The Benefits of High-Efficiency Heating Systems
Before we delve into specific equipment, let’s examine why high-efficiency heating is superior to traditional heating systems. Here are a few benefits:
Lower Monthly Bills: This is a major benefit. High-efficiency systems use less electricity or gas to produce the same amount of warmth as traditional systems. In many cases, homeowners who combine equipment upgrades with energy-saving thermostat settings, adequate insulation, and air sealing see their heating costs drop by 20 to 50 percent.
Superior Comfort: Older systems are often “all or nothing.” They blast hot air until the thermostat reaches its setting, then shut off, resulting in cold spots and temperature swings. Efficient systems are designed to provide steady, even warmth.
Longer Lifespan: Because these systems don’t cycle on and off as frequently as standard systems, their internal components don’t wear as quickly, and the system doesn’t work as hard as a standard unit.
Quiet Operation: Energy-efficient units are designed with sound-dampening technology and components that run at lower, quieter speeds.
Now, let’s look at a few specific types of heating systems.
Heat Pumps: Efficiency Year-Round
In Tucson’s climate, the heat pump is the MVP of heating and cooling. What makes a heat pump so special is its ability to pluck heat from the air and transfer it in or out of your Tuscon home.
Unlike a traditional electric heater, which uses a lot of energy to generate heat from a coil, a heat pump operates like a reversible air conditioner. In the winter, it absorbs heat from the cold outdoor air and moves it into your home. In the summer, it moves heat out of your home.
Because it moves rather than makes heat, it is incredibly efficient. A high-efficiency heat pump can have a Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 3.0 or higher. That means for every unit of electricity it consumes, it delivers three units or more of heat to your home. An old-fashioned electric furnace typically provides one unit of heat for each unit of electricity it uses.
High-efficiency heat pumps use inverter technology, which enables their compressors to operate at variable speeds.
They slow down or speed up, matching heating and cooling demands, rather than simply turning on and running at full capacity and then off, as standard, single-stage heat pumps do.
By running longer at lower speeds, they use only the energy needed to maintain comfort. They also experience less of the wear and tear associated with constant stopping and starting.
A variable-speed fan inside the air handler matches compressor speed, moving the precise amount of air needed into ductwork.
Curious about high-efficiency heat pumps? Consult with a Hamstra Heating & Cooling expert to explore options and discover our line of American Standard high-efficiency heat pumps.
Ductless Mini Splits Offer Zoned Heating
If one room in your home is always too cold, or if you’ve recently added a sunroom or outdoor accessory building, a ductless mini split might be your best solution for high-efficiency heating. Like other heat pumps, mini splits rely on inverter technology, making them highly efficient.
Another reason they help reduce heating costs? They don’t require large, clunky ductwork to distribute conditioned air. Instead, mini splits use individual air handling units to deliver conditioned air to each room.
One outdoor mini split heat pump can be connected to multiple indoor air handling units. Each indoor unit has its own thermostat, enabling independent heating and cooling.
With a traditional central system, you have to heat the entire house just to keep your bedroom warm. With a ductless system, you can heat only the rooms you are using, which is a massive energy saver.
Plus, you avoid the 30 percent energy loss that typically happens when air travels through leaky or uninsulated ducts in your attic. Ductless mini splits are among the most efficient HVAC systems on the market.
Modulating Furnaces Are Highly Efficient
For those who prefer the robust heat of a gas furnace, energy efficiency doesn’t mean you have to settle for an old-school design. Modern high-efficiency furnaces use two game-changing technologies: modulating gas valves and variable-speed blowers.
A standard furnace is either fully on or fully off. A modulating furnace can adjust its flame in tiny increments to perfectly match the heating needs of your home. Like a heat pump with inverter technology, a modulating furnace can run at efficient capacities for longer periods.
A variable-speed blower adjusts the speed of its fan to deliver the exact amount of air needed to maintain a constant temperature in your home.
High-efficiency furnaces can reach an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating of up to 98 percent, meaning they convert all but two percent of the fuel they use into heat for your home.
At Hamstra Heating & Cooling, we’re proud to offer American Standard high-efficiency gas furnaces. Consult with one of our professionals to find the best model for your home.
Upgrade to High-Efficiency Heating
At Hamstra Heating & Cooling, we don’t believe in “one size fits all.” We take the time to do the math for your specific home, looking at your insulation, window types, and lifestyle to recommend the best high-efficiency system that will save you the most money over the next 15 years.
Ready to start saving in Tuscon? We’ll help you choose a system that keeps you comfortable while it reduces heating costs. Call us at 520-629-9833 or request service online.