What’s the Perfect Heat Setting for a Florida Home?

Installing a furnace is the best way to ensure comfort during the colder months in a Florida home. There are several heating settings to choose from (although they’re not interchangeable).

To help Florida homeowners select the right heating system, we’ll cover the most common settings and their recommended use.

Air conditioners with heat strips

Many modern Florida houses have AC units with heat strips. They’re an excellent choice for places like Tampa, where it rarely stays cold for long.

The downside is that ACs with heat strips can be expensive. Furthermore, running them can triple electricity costs.

Heat pumps

Heat pumps are also an excellent option for Florida homes since they’re efficient. They pass the air through a condensing unit, heating it and distributing it using an electric blower and ducts.

The biggest drawback of this setting is lower cooling capacity than standard central air solutions. Consequently, the property may not be cool enough during the scorching summer months. Plus, their price is too high for many Florida residents.

Geothermal heat pumps

Geothermal heat pumps are even more efficient than traditional heat pumps. They absorb heat from the ground or water sources, like ponds.

But Florida residents should consider a few critical details before installing one. First, the upfront costs will usually be slightly higher than traditional pumps. The good news is that their energy efficiency more than makes up for the steep price. They can also earn the owner tax credits.

Second, mounting geothermal heat pumps takes more time. HVAC experts need to dig a trench in the yard to install pipes that will direct air to the machine. As the process is invasive, be sure to work with expert air conditioning contractors. They’ll follow all safety protocols and do their best to minimize the mess.

Gas furnace

Gas furnaces are separate from air conditioners, and their only purpose is to heat the property. They’re on the expensive side, but the higher price is offset by efficient operation, meaning that the appliance requires less energy to produce heat.

However, installing a gas furnace requires the owner to mount a flue pipe, also known as a furnace chimney. The investment might not be affordable for many people.

Electric furnace

The combination of central air and an electric furnace is a terrific choice. It allows the owner to select the system they want to run at any point. Plus, this setting is dependable in various conditions, from freezing winters to blistering summers.

On the flip side, this setting isn’t very versatile. It’s not ideal for Tampa and other places with mild winters. But in most other locations, it performs nicely and delivers comfort all year long.

Get the best advice

Do you need to choose a heat setting for your home? Contact the professionals to learn more about your options and to select the best one for your needs.

Stud Air Conditioning is a full-service installation, maintenance, and repair HVAC company serving Broward, Miami-Dade, West Palm Beach, and Port St. Lucie counties. Call us when you need help with your heating or cooling needs at (954)324-2905. We can help!