If you find yourself relying on electric baseboard heaters to keep your home warm in the chilly Georgia winters, you know how inefficient they can be when you need consistent, whole-home heating. Replacing your baseboard heater with an HVAC system will provide you with more convenient heating, better control over your home’s temperature, better indoor air quality and filtration options, and humidity control.
If you’re considering changing from baseboard heat to forced air, Ricky Heath can help. We offer professional heater services that include repairs, replacements, and new installation services in Warner Robins, Georgia, and other communities in our service area. Our technicians have years of experience working with all types of heating solutions, and will keep your safety, comfort, and budget in mind when helping you choose the right system for your needs.
We are licensed by the State, knowledgeable, and local. This means we’re ready to work with you now, and we’ll install your new HVAC system with precision, care, and expertise.
Why Homeowners Upgrade Baseboard Heating
There are many reasons to consider an HVAC conversion if your home has baseboard heating.
Energy efficiency
Baseboard heaters are generally quite expensive to run, as they rely on ambient convection heat generated by electricity or hot water. The amount of electricity used is significantly higher than it would be with other home heating equipment, especially if the heat is turned up high or left on for long periods of time. This high level of electricity use translates into much higher power bills. An upgrade to central air or a heat pump could potentially save hundreds of dollars per year on electricity and reduce your overall energy use.
Temperature control
Baseboard heaters take a long time to heat a room, even when they’re turned up full blast. They heat the air around the floor, near the walls, which then rises, while cooler air sinks, and is subsequently heated, creating a convection cycle that will eventually warm up the house. In comparison to an HVAC system with fans dedicated to circulating heated air, it’s a much slower solution to heating your home with less control and uneven temperatures throughout the room.
Design and aesthetics
Many homeowners find baseboard heaters inconvenient. You can’t place furniture near them without blocking the heat and risking a fire hazard, and they take up several feet of valuable wall space. Most registers are utilitarian in design, as well, and may interrupt the look of your home design. Heat pump interior units are much more flexible with placement and looks, while central air vents are nearly invisible, blending into the ceilings, walls, or floors.
Safety hazards
A serious consideration for homeowners, especially those with children and pets, is how hot baseboard heaters get. They can cause serious burns, and if they come into contact with any flammable material, they could easily ignite, leading to a house fire. Many also have sharp edges and corners, potentially leading to injuries.
If you’ve noticed signs you need a new HVAC in Macon, Ricky Heath can help. We offer heating repairs and replacement services throughout Macon and surrounding Peach State communities, providing expert advice and superior service every time. Contact us for a consultation to learn more about which type of heater is best for your home.
Changing from Baseboard Heat to Forced Air
Not every home is ready for a central air system. If you have baseboard heating, you likely don’t have the necessary ductwork required for a central air system. This gives you two options.
1. Install ductwork
While it may involve a big initial investment to put ductwork in your home, once it’s in, it’ll last decades and provide the necessary airflow passageways to deliver home heating and cooling, year-round. At Ricky Heath, we offer competitive financing options to qualifying customers, making it easier to afford the perfect HVAC system for your needs, without adding financial stress to the equation.
2. Choose a heating alternative
Your options aren’t limited to ducted HVAC systems. At Ricky Heath, we also install ductless mini-split heat pumps, which provide excellent heating and cooling output, no ducts required! Heat pumps are well-suited to the moderate climate in Georgia, and act as an energy-efficient system, transferring heat from outside in during the winter, then reversing the process to get the heat out of your home in the hot and humid summer.
When you schedule a consultation with our team, we’ll go over your options, costs, timelines, and what to expect. This way, you can make an informed decision on what type of heater you want in your home with no surprises.
Steps To Replace Baseboard Heaters with HVAC
The following are the steps required to upgrade baseboard heating to an HVAC system:
- Step 1: Assessment of your heating needs, with a discussion about your options for forced air and ductless heaters.
- Step 2: Complete removal of the baseboard units.
- Step 3: Professional HVAC installation, with or without ductwork.
- Step 4: Full system calibration and testing.
Depending on the route you take, your installation could take just a day or two, or we may need more time to upgrade your electrical system or to customize and install your home heating solution. Our professional heating and furnace services are available now. We’ll make it easy for you to upgrade your home comfort, fast.
Benefits of an HVAC Conversion
Some of the top benefits of choosing a forced air or heat pump system over baseboard heaters include:
- Comfort: Your home temperatures will be more consistent, and you’ll have options like programmable thermostats and smart controls to better customize your home heating.
- Efficiency: Choosing an HVAC system with a good SEER rating and an ENERGY STAR® certification will save you plenty of money on your heating bills and benefit the environment.
- IAQ: Your indoor air quality will improve when you upgrade to an HVAC system. Enjoy cleaner, less-humid air with fewer allergens, dust, dander, hair, and other contaminants floating around.
- Increased home value: A home with a modern, efficient heating system will entice future buyers and increase your future resale value.
Call Your Local HVAC Expert at Ricky Heath
If you’re unhappy with the heat output of your baseboard heaters, or if you’re ready to upgrade your home to increase its value and improve your comfort and your air quality, please don’t hesitate to call Ricky Heath Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling today for professional heating installation advice. We’ll install your new heat pump or central HVAC system as quickly as possible, making sure it meets all your needs, so you can enjoy the next winter season without worry.
To schedule service, please call us or use our online contact form to get in touch. We’ll answer all your questions and schedule a time to come to your house for a consultation at your convenience. Whether you’re looking for a simple, straightforward forced air furnace or a modern HVAC system with all the top-tier technology and smart-system integration, we’ll make sure you get what you want. Your satisfaction is guaranteed with Ricky Heath.
