Heating Systems For My Florida Home
Believe it or not, there are occasions when SW Florida homeowners need to turn on the heat. Chilly nights do exist (although rare) and since Floridians tend to be more sensitive to the cold, we turn to our heaters for comfort.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the most common heating systems in SW Florida use electricity. In fact, 81% of Florida residents have either an electric resistance heating system or a heat pump.
How you heat your home depends on the layout of your home, your lifestyle and comfort preferences.
Heat Strips For My Florida Home
One of the most popular options for heating in SW Florida is resistive heating. Air conditioner units in Florida come installed with heat strips. A heat strip consists of wires, or coils, heated with electricity. The heated coils create heat by heating the air that flows over them, similar to a blow dryer.
They are typically less costly than a heat pump, and they work quickly to heat your home.
This system is perfect when you only need heat for a brief time, like those of us living in the tropics.
The downside? They are not as efficient as a heat pump; therefore, they can spike up your energy bill quickly if you rely on them too long.
Heat Pumps For My Florida Home
Another popular option is an air-source heat pump. This unit serves as both your heater and AC unit. It is installed outside the home, just like an air-conditioning system.
An air-source heat pump can deliver up to three times more heat energy to a home than the electrical energy it consumes, making it extremely efficient.
How Heat Pumps Work For My Florida Home
Unlike a resistance heater, a heat pump transfers heat.
A heat pump’s refrigeration system consists of a compressor and two copper or aluminum coils (one indoor and one outdoor), which have aluminum fins to aid heat transfer. In heating mode, liquid refrigerant in the outside coil removes heat from the air and evaporates into a gas.
The indoor coil releases heat from the refrigerant as it condenses back into a liquid. A reversing valve, near the compressor, changes the direction of the refrigerant flow for cooling mode as well as for defrosting the outdoor coil in winter. (Source: www.energy.gov)
These benefits make this an excellent choice for those looking for maximum efficiency.
The downside? Heat pumps are typically more expensive and take longer to heat your home.
Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump Heating System
Another option is a ductless mini-split unit which doubles as a heater and an AC. It can be utilized in a garage, home shop, workout room, mother-in-law suite, or a new addition.
These systems require no ducts, making them very convenient to install. They are also quiet and extremely efficient.
A Word About Furnaces As A Heating System
You might be wondering why we haven’t mentioned the traditional furnace. Since we live in the tropics, a traditional gas or electric furnace is not one of our recommendations.
Why? Because of our wonderful climate.
Unlike our northern friends, we only experience a handful of cold spells during the winter months, lasting only a few days.
Utilizing a furnace in the North makes sense; however, it can be quite costly in Florida, since we only need it for a short time.
Call Us For Florida Heating Systems
For more than 20 years, we’ve built a successful culture on educating our customers to make well-informed decisions. We will serve you with honesty and integrity, every time. Our team is standing by, so give us a call with your heating questions or if you need AC repair, 239-693-9005
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