Two popular options for heating are baseboard heat and central heat. But which should you go with? It’s obviously important to take into consideration the long term benefits, like efficiency and cost-effectiveness. But it’s also important to take into account the state, or rather age, of your home, as one heating option may be better than the other. Let’s break down the differences between these options so you can make an informed choice for your home.
What is Baseboard Heat
When it comes to baseboard heat, it’s a good option for older homes that don’t have existing ducts. This can be especially applicable to units in Hoboken, or for example NYC brownstones. These units lie along your baseboard (hence the name) and use either hot water or electricity to operate. When it comes to logistics, being that cold air sinks, it then gets pulled into the vents of the baseboard heater, heated, and released back to the room. These units don’t use a boiler or furnace.
Being that this heating option only heats the rooms you need and doesn’t require ducts and boilers, it typically has lower upfront costs (because installing ductwork costs a pretty penny). Another point to note is baseboard heating allows for individual room controls (aka they’re known for their zone heating capabilities). This is a rather big plus, as you can make one room warmer than another depending on your family’s preferences.
Of course, there’s a flip side to almost all things, baseboard heat included. For one, baseboard units take longer to heat a space, and if you have the electric option, it can become rather costly in the long run. Plus, being that the units take up wall space and get quite hot, you can run into decorating issues (since you shouldn’t cover them or block them with things like furniture). So definitely things to consider.
What is Central Heat
Central heat is the one most of us are probably used to. As opposed to baseboard heat, central heat on the other hand uses ducts and vents to distribute air throughout the home. This is the option that’s most commonly found in modern housing and typically has central air conditioning in tow. Fuel that’s used by this system can vary from electricity, to gas, or even oil.
As a plus, this heating option typically heats your home quickly and has good energy efficiency. For the decorators, it also tends to be a win as there aren’t any bulky systems on the walls. We would also like to give a nod to the safety aspect (hello automatic and emergency shutoffs).
Downfalls of central heat can include higher installation costs, especially if you have to put in the ductwork. Because of the ductwork, central heating also requires regular cleaning, maintenance, and filter changes, which is in itself an added cost. Plus, not being able to individually regulate temperature on a per room basis can also be a minus, especially if your co-habitants have different preferences. Another point to mention is if there are leaks in your ducts, you could also be losing efficiency. So despite the ease of use, this system still has its downfalls.
Last Two Cents
Of course, there’s no one size fits all. It’s important to consider your home’s state, age, budget, and local factors when making a choice. If your home already has central AC, upgrading to central heat is a logical choice. But if your home lacks ductwork to begin with, baseboard heat may be more practical. It’s up to you to decide which of these options is best for you. Hey, for all we know, maybe you’ll decide to heat your home with mini split systems. But in any case, we hope we were able to shine some light on these two heating options. Don’t forget that our team is just a call away at 888-334-1612 should you need cleaning, maintenance, or installation help. As always, you can give us a ring to discuss.
