The Best Ways To Replace Baseboard Heating Systems

There’s something about moving into a classic, well-loved house that new construction simply can’t match. Whether it’s the sense of continuity, the neighborhood character, or the work that has endured through the years, an older home is something special.

But on a cold day, character and continuity can’t fight off a mean draft. The hydronic baseboard heating systems that still exist in some older homes don’t meet today’s standards for comfort or efficiency. If you’re ready to retrofit your older home’s heating, consider some of the best ways to replace baseboard heating systems and start matching classic construction with contemporary amenities.

Forced Air and a Gas Furnace

For affordable and reliable heat on chilly Mid-Atlantic days, a traditional gas furnace is often the best alternative to relying on baseboards. However, installing a furnace and the attendant ductwork can be somewhat invasive. Prepare to pay more upfront for long-term savings—once you’ve installed your furnace and ensured that you’re connected to a gas line, you’ll enjoy low-cost natural gas for years to come. Best of all, modern high-efficiency furnaces can recapture wasted heat and bring costs down even further.

Geothermal and Air-to-Air Heat Pumps

If natural gas is not an option, a heat pump can be an effective way to heat your home. A heat pump transfers heat from outdoors and brings it into your home, whether by drawing upon air or by capturing underground heat. Because the ground several feet below the surface has a consistent year-round temperature, a heat pump can transfer this heat in the dead of winter and send it into your home. Using similar technology, an air-source heat pump can remove heat from ambient outdoor air and circulate warm air through your system.

Dual Fuel Systems: The Best of Both Worlds

When Northeastern winter sets in, heat pumps can’t do it all. That could mean continuing to rely on baseboard heating, which can spike your electric bill in the winter months. When you’re already illuminating your home for more hours each day, you’ll begin to feel those costs over the years. That’s why a dual fuel system can be one of the best ways to replace baseboard heating systems. This model pairs an electric heat pump with a gas furnace for affordable heat certainty through each winter. The unit relies on the heat pump as the primary means of heat, but then drops back to natural gas to supplement when necessary. This keeps electric bills down with minimal gas consumption, too.

Don’t depend on inefficient, expensive electric heating if you don’t have to. The residential HVAC contractors at W.F. Smith make it possible to retrofit classic Philadelphia-area homes with the modern comforts you deserve. Contact us today to learn more about the gas and hybrid systems that will bring your older home’s HVAC into the twenty-first century while maintaining that time-honored charm.

W F Smith did an excellent job. Dave Smith visited out home twice to discuss installation options, and to assure our understanding of the equipment options