The Great Debate: Is It More Expensive to Heat or Cool Your Home?

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

The answer isn’t straightforward, as it might differ based on a variety of factors. Carefully review each one to know for sure whether your bills will be higher in the summer or the winter. Then, try these tips to keep monthly energy costs down throughout the year.

Which Kind of HVAC System Does Your Home Have?

The equipment you use to cool and heat your home influences your total costs. Models range from the traditional furnace and air conditioner combo to newer choices like a heat pump or ductless mini-split. Older systems with lower efficiency will likely have higher operating costs, while today’s models offer higher efficiency.

When your HVAC system is more than 10 years old and you’re looking to save on heating and cooling, try finding a high-efficiency HVAC system. The ideal make and model for you relies on your home’s size and layout, the usual climate, and whether your home already has air ducts.

Your Choice of Fuel for Heating and Cooling: Impact on Costs

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 economical than electric air conditioners.

On that note, electric furnaces are known to be costly to run. If electricity is your primary or favored choice, a heat pump is a more efficient alternative. This system offers both heating and cooling capabilities at a lower operating cost than traditional electric furnaces or space heaters.

Do You Have Solar Panels?

Putting in solar panels can dramatically offset electricity costs, making them an attractive option for many homeowners. Solar panels are especially useful for homes with primarily electric HVAC systems, such as heat pumps or electric furnaces and air conditioners, using the sun’s free energy to power these systems.

Of course, 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-powered furnace is costlier than cooling with an electric AC.

The Influence of Climate on Your Heating and Cooling Expenses

The highs and lows of your climate is one of the most important factors influencing heating and cooling costs. In general, the wider the temperature difference between your home 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 warmer southern climates, where the frequency of severely high outdoor temperatures is higher. On the other end, yearly heating costs surpass cooling costs in temperate climates with long, cold winters, reflecting the energy used to keep the home warm against the frigid exterior.

Setting Your Thermostat and Its Impact on Utility Bills

Your thermostat settings significantly influence what you pay for heating and cooling. Preferences differ; some keep their homes warmer, leading to higher heating costs, while others prefer cooler temperatures, increasing cooling costs. Adjust your thermostat accordingly each winter and higher in time for summer, and then wear season-appropriate clothing to stay comfortable while cutting down energy costs. A smart thermostat can adjust your home’s temperature on its own, lowering your overall expenses.

How Landscaping Affects Your Heating and Cooling Costs

You may not think of it at first, but the landscaping’s shrubs and trees around your home greatly influences home temperatures. Plants that offer afternoon shade for your house lower cooling costs in the summer but can similarly shield you from warming sunlight during winter. Conversely, total exposure on your property leads to more costly cooling expenses and reduced heating bills.

Want to optimize both? Add a few deciduous trees on your home’s south and west sides. This provides summertime shade while allowing the sunlight to filter through in the winter once the trees have shed their leaves.

How Your Home’s Orientation Influences Heating and Cooling

Even the direction of your home influences its sun exposure, in turn affecting heating and cooling needs. Homes with significant southern exposure receive more sunlight, making them an easier orientation for staying warm in the winter but possibly more challenging to cool in the summer. Homes facing north, meanwhile, get less direct sunlight, staying cooler in the summer but requiring more heat in the winter.

Custom HVAC Solutions for Every Homeowner

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