Hey everyone! My wife and I recently moved into a single-level, 1100 sqft ranch-style home built in the 70s. The place has central AC and ductwork installed in every room, but it still uses electric baseboard heaters for heat, which has led to some pretty high electricity bills in winter—definitely not ideal! I've heard mini splits might be a good option, but I'm wondering if there's a way to make the most of the existing ductwork instead. What do you think would be the most cost-effective solution for heating, and would the savings on energy actually offset the initial investment? Thanks!
2 Answers
Honestly, I'd recommend getting an HVAC consultation first. It's also really beneficial to check the state of your windows—if they’re over 20 years old, that could be a factor! Getting a heat map of the house can show where you're losing heat. If your ductwork is sealed properly, it should help keep your home warm. And if you can, consider getting multiple consultations—one from a high-end company and one from a trusted indie source to compare options.
For sure! A heat pump or a pellet stove might also be worth considering if you're looking at other energy sources.
Switching to ducted electric heat won’t make a dramatic difference without an additional energy source like natural gas. A ducted heat pump could be a reasonable idea, especially if you're looking to utilize the ductwork you already have. Just weigh the initial costs against potential energy savings before you dive in.
That's good advice! Just a heads up though, swapping windows can be a costly upgrade with mixed efficiency results. Insulation and air sealing are often better investments for comfort.