Winter is quickly approaching, and the nights are already getting colder. If your home currently has a wall heater, you may be wondering replace your old wall heater with a new furnace this year would be worth it. Having more knowledge about wall heaters vs. furnaces will help you make an informed decision for heating your home this winter. In this article we discuss benefits of both and how they work to heat your home.
Wall Heaters
Though wall heaters may seem to be the underdog in these comparisons they do have benefits depending on the space in your home. With that being said, they are definitely not the right fit for all homes and spaces. A wall heater is installed directly in your wall with no connection to a duct system, so the heat is free flowing. Like the furnace, the wall heater has gas and electric options. They are a great option for smaller spaces for many reasons. First, they take up very little square footage because they are installed in the wall. Secondly, they heat very quickly and still emit heat for quite some time after they have been turned off. Lastly, they are much more efficient to run than a furnace so you cam save on your electric bills in the winter. However, wall heaters are not the best option for larger spaces. They are limited in the square feet they heat. Typically, a 1,500 BTU wall heater can only emit enough heat to cover a space approximately 150 square feet In a house or larger apartment/condo this would only cover the living room or one bedroom. Wall heaters do not have enough power to heat larger spaces and cannot carry heat throughout the home.
Furnaces
Furnaces are the popular choice for most homes for many reasons. Furnaces are usually located in a closet, basement, or attic space. They can be gas or electric and are connected to a ducting system. The ducting system allows for heat to be distributed throughout the home which is why most find furnaces to be the more favorable option. They are also more powerful and are capable of heating much more space than a wall heater can. The amount of power that is required to create that much heat makes them less efficient to run than a wall heater. For this reason, it is more favorable to have a wall heater in smaller spaces, like studios. However, there are many options for higher efficiency systems and low emissions available like the Ultra Low Nox Furnace. Keep in mind, ultra low NOx furnaces are now required in certain regions of California. If you are replacing your current one or installing a new one be sure to check your local ordinances to follow any codes applicable to your region.
Give Us A Call Today
Wall heater and furnaces can both be highly effective and useful depending on the home they are in. Most importantly performing regular maintenance on both can improve efficiency and extend the lifespan of the systems, while also minimizing costly repairs. Both systems are easy to maintain and should have at least one tune-up performed per year. They both have the potential to have long lives if they are well taken care of. If you have a smaller studio type space it may be beneficial to keep your wall heater this winter. But if you live in a larger home and you are looking to upgrade to heater with better reach we can help! Give LA Construction, Heating and Air a call today at 818-341-3406 or contact us online for your free estimate.
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