Homeowners often use the opportunity temperate weather offers to replace their heating system or add heat pumps to their home. It’s a great time of year for such upgrades because there is plenty of time to get a heating contractor scheduled, parts ordered, and everything installed before cold weather arrives again. You’ll also be able to take advantage of the air conditioning role a new heat pump will offer, come hot weather.
HOWEVER, you may not want to get rid of your current heating system. Or you may want to discuss a secondary heating system with your heat contractor for some very important reasons:
For Maine homeowners, maintaining a warm, safe home isn’t just about comfort – it's essential for safety, health, and peace of mind. It may even be a necessity to run their home-based business. This is precisely why investing in a reliable backup heat source isn't just smart, it's vital.
Everyone. Unfortunately, even in newly built homes we’re seeing brand new systems with faulty parts and failures with control devices. Often, these parts need to be ordered and shipped. Even if shipped over-night, that’s a couple days before you are up and running. New parts under warranty can also take a day or two for the warranty claim process to go through. This all means you’re going a couple of days at least without any heat if you don’t have any backup.
Heat pumps are very popular now in Maine and are often used as primary heat sources. They are great much of the year, but during sub-zero temperatures, or heavy snow or rain conditions, there is a problem. Much of the control boards and electrical systems are housed in the outdoor unit of a heat pump. These systems can’t get wet, so depending on weather conditions, we may have to wait until weather improves before we can complete repairs. So if you’re depending only on your heat pump, you may have to go a few days without heat if you don’t have a secondary source.
Heating systems, even well-maintained ones, can fail unexpectedly. Components wear out, power outages happen, and severe weather conditions put added stress on your primary heating equipment. In the midst of a frigid Maine winter, losing your main source of heat is not only inconvenient, it’s potentially disastrous. In just hours, water pipes can freeze and burst, leading to devastating water damage and costly repair bills. More importantly, prolonged exposure to cold temperatures pose serious health risks. Children, older folks, and those with existing health conditions need to be especially careful, but anyone is at risk for hypothermia in the cold.
Having a secondary heating option gives homeowners an important layer of protection. As long as it’s a reliable option, a backup heating source ensures uninterrupted heat in your home.
Beyond emergencies, secondary heat sources can improve your home's overall energy efficiency. During really cold snaps, our primary heating system has to work overtime. This burden can be reduced by selectively utilizing an alternate heating method. By doing this, we are extending the lifespan and enhancing the performance of our primary heating system. The result is not just reduced costs, but greater energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Additionally, secondary heating options offer financial and practical advantages as well. They provide homeowners with flexibility, allowing them to switch heating sources should fuel availability or costs fluctuate. If oil prices spike, for instance, homeowners can shift to their wood stove or gas heater to minimize expenses. This adaptability can lead to substantial savings on heating bills throughout the coldest months.
Installing or maintaining a secondary heat source also boosts your home's value and attractiveness to potential buyers. Buyers expect reliable heating, so having a backup option in place is a big selling point.
A backup heating source in your home is a safeguard that provides essential protection, cost savings, improved efficiency, and added home value. Those are some pretty good wins! And let’s not forget peace of mind. Make the smart decision to secure your home's comfort, safety, and financial stability by investing in a reliable secondary heating system today.
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Noelle has been a marketing professional, and a published author and copywriter for over 20 years. Her work has been featured in both print publications and online media, where she has written on a broad range of topics. She owns Castle Media Co., assisting businesses with their marketing and digital media needs, specializing in website development, content marketing, social media, copywriting, and blogging.
