How to Tell What Type of Heat You Have in Your Home
A common misconception many homeowners have is that it doesn’t matter what type of system is used to heat their home. They assume that as long as the heat kicks on when they adjust the thermostat, the system is A-okay. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Knowing how to tell what type of heat you have in your home in Portage, MI is beneficial in maintaining the system, and it’s helpful for HVAC companies when you call for inspections or repairs. Continue reading to learn how to identify your home’s heat source and how each type of unit works:
- Furnaces and heaters: These are the most common heating systems, and they either use electricity or burn natural gas, propane or oil to heat a home. The unit creates heat and then forces it through the house using an intricate ductwork system. A furnace is commonly found in the garage, basement or closet.
- Heat pumps: Although you wouldn’t think it based on the name, a heat pump has both heating and cooling capabilities. They work like a refrigerator, circulating heat from a cool space to a warm space. Most heat pump systems have indoor and outdoor components and utilize ductwork to circulate the air.
- Boilers: A boiler is made of two parts: a furnace that creates the heat and a separate vessel that heats water to make steam. The furnace can either be powered by electricity, natural gas, propane or oil. The heat from the steam is distributed through baseboard radiators, radiant floor heating systems or through the air with a coil.
- Package units: Like heat pumps, a package unit can both heat and cool a home. They’re powered by natural gas or electricity and are found on the roof or a slab next to the home. The unit creates the heat and distributes it evenly using ductwork.
Have your system inspected now!
Regardless of what type of heat you have in your home in Portage, MI, annual system maintenance is a must. These are a few of the reasons to have your system inspected by a professional:
- Prolong unit lifespan: The actual lifespan depends on the type of system you have, but no heating unit will last forever. The best way to extend its lifespan, though, is with annual tune-ups. A professional will clean the entire unit, removing any dirt, dust and debris that can jam up the parts and shorten its lifespan.
- Prevent breakdowns: You won’t need to wonder what type of heat you have in your home in Portage, MI if the unit stops working suddenly! A seasonal tune-up helps prevent mid-season breakdowns by replacing any worn-down parts during the inspection.
- Preserve the warranty: Check with your manufacturer, but your system’s warranty likely has some stipulation about maintenance. Failure to schedule seasonal maintenance can void the warranty, leaving you high and dry.
Although we recommend having a heating tune-up performed in the fall or early winter, it’s never too late to call a professional for an inspection to ensure your heater is running correctly. Give All Brands Heating & Cooling a call today to schedule system maintenance or to learn more about how to tell what type of heat you have in your home in Portage, MI.
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