Which Is More Expensive: Heating or Cooling

Have you realized how your energy bills soar whenever you try to keep cool in the blazing summer heat or cozy during winter’s coldest nights? This constant battle has made many homeowners try to learn for themselves if it’s more expensive to heat or cool their homes

Trying to find this out isn’t always straightforward, as it hinges on several factors. Take a closer look at each one to finally learn whether your bills may be higher in the summer or the winter. Then, consider our tips to keep monthly energy costs down all year-round.

Which Kind of HVAC System Does Your Home Have?

The equipment you use to cool and heat your home influences your total costs. Models include the traditional furnace and air conditioner combo to a modern heat pump or ductless mini-split. Older systems with lower efficiency tend to have higher operating costs, while newer models offer higher efficiency.

At the point your existing HVAC unit is more than 10 years old and you’re interested in lower energy costs, consider upgrading to a high-efficiency HVAC system. The perfect option for you depends 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 be markedly different based on their fuel sources. In many areas, natural gas is less expensive than electricity, making gas furnaces more affordable to operate than electric air conditioners.

On that note, electric furnaces are notoriously expensive to run. If electricity is your only or most preferred option, a heat pump is a more efficient alternative. This system offers both heating and cooling capabilities at a reduced cost of operation 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 an ideal strategy for homes with primarily electric HVAC systems, such as heat pumps or electric furnaces and air conditioners, as they use the sun’s free energy to power these systems.

At the same time, solar energy isn’t going to have an impact on the costs associated with natural gas or other fossil fuels. So in this kind of situation, heating with a gas-fueled furnace is costlier than cooling with an electric AC.

The Influence of Climate on Your Heating and Cooling Expenses

The local climate is one of the most significant factors affecting heating and cooling costs. Generally, the larger the temperature difference between inside and outdoors, the higher your energy use will need to be to maintain a complete sense of comfort.

As a result, cooling costs typically exceed heating costs in hot southern climates, where the need to combat high outdoor temperatures is greater. On the other end, yearly heating costs surpass cooling costs in northern climates with long, cold winters, reflecting the energy necessary for keeping the home warm against the frigid exterior.

Setting Your Thermostat and Its Impact on Utility Bills

Your thermostat settings directly impact what you pay for heating and cooling. Preferences differ; some like their homes cozier, resulting in increased heating costs, while others prefer cooler temperatures, increasing cooling costs. Set your thermostat lower in the winter and higher in time for summer, and then dress for the season to stay comfortable while saving on energy use. A smart thermostat can adjust your home’s temperature on its own, slashing your overall expenses.

How Landscaping Affects Your Heating and Cooling Costs

You don’t always consider it initially, but the landscaping’s shrubs and trees around your home significantly affects home temperatures. Plants that provide shade to your house lower cooling costs in the summer but can similarly shield you from warming sunlight during winter. Conversely, full sun exposure on your property leads to more costly cooling expenses and generally smaller heating bills.

Want to optimize both? Plant several deciduous trees on your home’s south and west sides. This generates summertime shade while enabling the sunlight to filter through in the winter once the trees have shed their leaves.

The Impact of Your Home’s Orientation on Climate Control

Even the orientation of your home influences its sun exposure, in turn affecting heating and cooling needs. Homes with significant southern exposure receive more sunlight, making them simpler to keep warm in the winter but potentially harder to cool in the summer. Homes oriented north, meanwhile, receive less direct sunlight, staying cooler in the summer but needing more heat during winter.

Tailored HVAC Solutions to Meet Your Needs

Every homeowner’s situation is unique. That’s why Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning offers custom HVAC solutions to enhance comfort and efficiency. Our prompt, professional services and repairs are designed to solve all your comfort problems. So, if you want to cut your heating and cooling costs without sacrificing comfort, contact Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for tailored assistance.

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