Sunday, December 19, 2010

Review your heating system post the winter cold

Now that the winter chill has gone and spring has finally arrived, it's time to take stock of your home heating system. How did your home heating system fare against the winter cold?

With so many residential heating systems to choose from – wall mounted units, radiators, fireplaces, underfloor heating and heat pumps – you can be forgiven for feeling a little overwhelmed. This handy list of questions can help you assess your home heating system and decide if it's time for an upgrade.

Cost: Look over your electricity bills for the winter. Have they increased or decreased since this time last year? What have you been doing differently? Have you noticed a cost difference since changing your residential heating system?

Performance: How long does your unit take to heat up a room? Does your home heating system heat the whole house evenly or just part of a room? Has your residential heating broken down or malfunctioned?

Aesthetics: Does your unit look unsightly? Are you happy with its placement or do you want something less obtrusive? Have you shifted furniture and found the unit no longer heats effectively?

Noise: How much noise does your home heating unit emit? Do you think it's got louder over the last six months? If so, it's probably time you performed some home heating or air conditioning maintenance.

For some families, certain factors weigh more heavily than others. When choosing a home heating system, it's important to weigh all the factors and decide on the best fit option for your family. Talk to a qualified residential heating specialist for expert help and advice.