The Jansen Way: A Methodical Approach to Choosing Your Next Heating System

When you’ve decided to replace your heat pump or furnace, whether to improve efficiency and cut your energy bills, or to stop wasting money on repairs well past a system’s useful life, Jansen Heating & Cooling is here to help.

What to expect when purchasing a new heating system from us

The best place to start is by scheduling a consultation with one of our HVAC professionals. We’ll help you identify requirements for:

• Specific home uses or needs such as special AC requirements due to a home office, exercise room or other unique home use; whether you entertain frequently; the number of floors in the house; and whether some unused rooms are often closed to heating and cooling.
• Comfort requirements and conditions such as stale air problems, specific rooms or floors that are too hot or cold, system noise levels, or air that is too humid or too dry.
• Health/safety requirements such as indoor air quality, respiratory conditions, humidity control and/or
  child safety concerns related to your HVAC system.
• Property requirements such as whether you are planning home renovations or additions.
• Financial requirements such as the importance of saving money, working with a contractor who can protect you from risk and liability, and/or your wish to explore financing options.

Most homes in Greater Cincinnati use one of the following approaches

1. a combustion furnace (usually natural gas) with an electric air conditioning system;
2. an electric air-source heat pump for both heating and cooling;
3. a dual-fuel system that combines an air-source heat pump with a fuel-burning furnace; or
4. a ductless split system for independent temperature control in each room

The best system for each home depends on the cost and efficiency of the equipment, annual energy use, what system your home is already outfitted for, and the local price and availability of energy sources.

Dual-fuel systems

Dual-fuel systems that include a high-efficiency heat pump, with a gas furnace providing dependable and comfortable auxiliary heating, are rapidly becoming popular as replacements for more traditional heat pump and AC/furnace systems.

They not only provide reliable heat even in extremely and/or prolonged cold weather; they give you an option of which fuel to use, if market conditions change for electricity or natural gas.

Ductless split systems

Ductless split heat pump systems are catching up in popularity over central AC and heating systems for a variety of reasons, according to a recent survey:

1. 43% of homeowners who purchased a ductless split system bought it to solve hot and/or cold spots inside their residence.
2. 27% of these homeowners had converted a garage into a living space.
3. 27% purchased a ductless split system to replace a window/portable air conditioning unit.
4. 25% used it for an add-on room, exercise or entertainment center room.
5. 74% of surveyed homeowners who use ductless split heat pumps employ them for both cooling and heating.

Plus, ductless split installation can save up to 50% on your home heating and cooling costs compared to oil, propane or electric baseboard heat.

No ductwork to lose energy

Aside from having no ductwork where energy is lost in a traditional forced-air system, one major attraction of a ductless split system is its independent temperature control.

An outdoor compressor unit containing the heat-exchange coil, compressor and fan is connected to one or more air-handling units inside the house. A conduit containing electrical wiring, a refrigerant line and condensate tubing connects the outside and inside units.

Home occupants can set their own preferred temperature in any room that’s outfitted with an air handler, usually with a remote control.