Many of our customers wonder what uses more energy, heat or AC. If you are like most people, you probably notice spikes during the hottest part of summer and the coldest part of winter. The question is, does AC use more electricity than heating? Which part of your HVAC system is more expensive to run?
We’ll answer all this and more and provide details on how to make your home more energy-efficient with the help of Johnson & Johnson Heating and Air Conditioning, your source for all things HVAC in Frederick, MD.
Does AC Use More Electricity Than Heating?
No. According to at least one study, heating your home by one degree takes far more energy than cooling it by one degree. The study compared energy demands in Minneapolis, which has the coldest climate, and Miami, which has the hottest climate in the United States.
Researchers indicated that it took nearly 3.5 times more energy to cool a home in Minneapolis than to cool a home in Miami. This indicates that ACs run more efficiently than boilers or furnaces. So, how do these two extremes translate into the costs of cooling and heating your home in Maryland?
High-Temperature Differences Determine HVAC Costs
What uses more energy, heat or AC, in Maryland? Temperature fluctuations vary from average lows of 23 degrees in January to average highs of 87 degrees in July. Most people keep their thermostats at around 75 degrees or so. This leaves a much greater temperature change in the winter than in the summer.
The larger temperature difference requires more energy to maintain a comfortable environment inside your home. In a nutshell, that’s why heating your home takes more energy and leads to a higher electricity bill.
How Does Using Natural Gas Affect My Energy Bill?
Does AC use more electricity than heating when you use natural gas? Natural gas is cheaper than electricity. That’s because about a third of the nation’s electricity comes from converting natural gas to electricity. Using natural gas directly can dramatically decrease the cost to heat and cool your home.
Are you looking for a better, more cost-effective way to warm the air in your home? If natural gas is an option in your area, it may be worth considering. Our technicians can help you understand the cost of implementing natural gas in your home.
How Can You Reduce the Cost of Your Heating or Cooling System?
With winters becoming milder in the north, there is less difference between summer cooling and winter heating bills. However, knowing what uses more energy, heat or AC, is only half the battle. In order to reduce the cost of running furnaces or heat pumps, it’s important to work with professionals such as those at Johnson & Johnson Heating and Air Conditioning.
With a well-maintained system, the amount of energy it takes for homeowners to heat their homes decreases. That’s because heating and cooling costs go down when your unit runs more efficiently. For example, a clean furnace produces heat energy more efficiently than a dirty one.
What uses more energy, heat or AC, may also depend on how well you maintain your cooling and heating systems.
Are you looking for cheaper heating in Frederick, MD? Contact Johnson & Johnson Heating and Air Conditioning, and we’ll help you understand the pros and cons of gas versus electrical heating. Our technicians are often asked the question, “Does AC use more electricity than heating?” and give you tips on whether to repair or replace your existing HVAC systems.
Contact Johnson & Johnson Heating and Air Conditioning today for all your heating and cooling needs in Hagerstown, MD.