Heating vs. Cooling: What Costs More
Have you ever noticed how your energy bills soar whether you’re trying to keep cool in the heat of summer or warm during winter’s icy grip? This reality has made many homeowners want to know whether heating or cooling their home costs more?
This question isn’t necessarily straightforward, as it hinges on several factors. Take the time to learn about each one to help you determine whether your bills are likely to be higher in the winter or the summer. Then, consider our tips to keep your utility costs down throughout the year.
What Type of HVAC System Does Your Home Have?
The equipment you use to cool and heat your home influences your total costs. Options range from the traditional furnace and air conditioner combo to an innovative heat pump or ductless mini-split. Older systems with lower efficiency tend to have higher operating costs, while newer models boast much higher efficiency.
When your HVAC system is more than 10 years old and you’re looking to save on heating and cooling, consider upgrading to a high-efficiency HVAC system. The perfect option for you relies on your home’s size and layout, the surrounding climate, and whether your home already has air ducts.
How Your Heating and Cooling Fuel Choices Affect Your Bills
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 cost-effective than electric air conditioners.
On that note, electric furnaces are notoriously expensive to run. If electricity is your primary or favored choice, a heat pump is a more efficient alternative. This system offers both heating and cooling capabilities at a lesser expense than traditional electric furnaces or space heaters.
The Impact of Solar Panels on Your HVAC Costs
Adding solar panels can considerably lower electricity costs, making them a wise financial decision for many homeowners. Solar panels are especially useful for homes with primarily electric HVAC systems, including heat pumps or electric furnaces and air conditioners, using the sun’s free energy to power these systems.
At the same time, solar energy can’t reduce the costs related to natural gas or other fossil fuels. So in this instance, heating with a gas-powered furnace is more expensive than cooling with an electric AC.
The Influence of Climate on Your Heating and Cooling Expenses
The highs and lows of your climate is one of the most relevant factors impacting heating and cooling costs. Generally, the wider the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors, the higher your energy use will need to be to maintain a complete sense of comfort.
As a result, cooling costs are usually higher than heating costs in hot southern climates, where the need to combat high outdoor temperatures is more intense. Conversely, annual heating costs surpass cooling costs in northern climates with long, cold winters, reflecting the energy needed to keep the home warm all year long.
Thermostat Settings and Their Effect on Energy Costs
Your thermostat settings have a direct effect on what you pay for heating and cooling. Preferences fluctuate; some like their homes cozier, resulting in increased heating costs, while others prefer their home a little cooler, increasing cooling costs. Adjust your thermostat accordingly for winter and higher in the summer, and then wear appropriate clothes to stay comfortable while reducing energy costs. A smart thermostat can adjust your home’s temperature on its own, reducing your overall expenses.
What Does Your Landscaping Look Like?
You don’t always think of it at first, but the landscaping you place around your home greatly influences home temperatures. Plants that offer afternoon shade for your house reduce cooling costs in the summer but can similarly shield you from warming sunlight in the winter. Conversely, total exposure on your property results in more costly cooling expenses and lower heating bills.
Want to enjoy the best of both worlds? Add a few deciduous trees on your home’s south and west sides. This provides summertime shade while enabling the sunlight to filter through in the winter once the trees have shed their leaves.
How Your Home’s Orientation Influences Heating and Cooling
Even the direction of your home influences its sun exposure, in turn affecting heating and cooling needs. Homes with considerable southern exposure have access to more sunlight, making them an easier orientation for staying warm in the winter but potentially harder to cool in the summer. Homes facing north, meanwhile, are subject to much less direct sunlight, which is better in the summer but needing more heat each winter.
Personalized Heating and Cooling Solutions from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing
Every homeowner’s situation is a little different. That’s why Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing offers personalized HVAC solutions to optimize comfort and efficiency. Our fast, long-lasting services and repairs are designed to solve all your comfort problems. So, if you want to reduce your heating and cooling costs without sacrificing comfort, contact Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for tailored assistance.