Comparing 3 Ways to Heat Your Minnesota Home: Furnaces, Boilers, & Heat Pumps

Minnesota folks are undoubtedly familiar with the cold, frigid winters. In such extreme cold conditions, it’s essential to invest in the best heating systems to warm your home.

Furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps are all great heating options. Let's do a quick comparative analysis of these three options to help you figure out the best choice for your home.

Furnaces

One of the oldest heating systems, a furnace works by generating and distributing heated air throughout your home.

This war-air distribution system can be powered by electricity, natural gas, or fuel oil. This heating system is controlled mainly by the thermostat, which keeps the temperature in an ideal range for your home.

Boilers

Boilers heat water through a very special mechanism. Unlike a furnace that directly sends warm air down through the ducts, boilers give off heat in hot water.

This hot water then passes through the radiators and other devices and gives off heat to distribute throughout the house.

The cooler water is then reheated, repeating the entire process. The boiler systems use a pump to circulate hot water through the pipes. Moreover, hot water (hydronic systems) generally uses natural gas or heating oil as fuel.

Heat Pumps

Ever heard of a two-way air-conditioner? A heat pump is precisely that. Just like an air-conditioner works in summer by moving the warm air from the indoors to the outdoors, a heat pump is the exact opposite.

Heat pumps work by moving relatively warmer air outside and moving it to the inside of the house to keep it warm. It uses a forced warm-air delivery system and works with the help of an electrical system.

There are two types of heat pumps; air-source heat pumps and ground-source heat pumps. Air-source heat pumps are more common because they are affordable and easier to install, whereas ground-source heat pumps are more efficient but more expensive.

Heat pumps work to move heated air instead of generating it, so they give off a much higher output.

We Can Help You Make the Right Choice

Heating systems are a great way to keep your house warm during winter. Different heating systems have various pros and cons, so it always helps to know exactly what you’re looking for.

At General Heating & Air Conditioning, our experienced team of technicians can help you make the right choice by understanding your requirements. Feel free to reach out to us at 952-445-2820 to learn more.