Heating Systems
A heating system draws in cool air, heats it, and redistributes it into the home. The most common central home heating system is a forced air system, which forces heated air into the home through ductwork. In Middle Tennessee, homes are heated primarily using natural gas, propane or electricity. Typical heating systems are:

Propane or Natural Gas Furnace — A gas burner produces hot combustion gases that heat cool air brought into the furnace by the blower. After blowing across the heat exchanger, the warm air is redistributed throughout the home.

Electric Heat Pump — A system that takes heat that is always present in outside air (even in the winter) and captures it for distribution throughout the home. In the Middle Tennessee climate, a heat pump is the least expensive way to heat a home. At temperatures below 32 degrees a heat pump requires an electric-powered auxiliary heat source. Running the auxiliary source for extended periods is less cost effective, but the heat pump as a system remains an efficient way to heat your home.

Hybrid Heat Pump — An Electric Heat Pump that uses a gas furnace as the auxiliary heat source to maximize efficiency, regardless of the temperature outside.

Geothermal Heat Pump* — A central heating and cooling system that pumps heat to and from the ground. They use the moderate temperatures of the earth to boost efficiency and reduce the operational cost of heating and cooling.

Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump — A highly efficient heat pump system that does not require ductwork and is ideal for bonus rooms, enclosed sunrooms or other areas where installing ductwork is problematic.

Packaged Terminal Heat Pump — A self-contained, through-the-wall unit that does not require ductwork and is commonly found in motel rooms.

*Geothermal Heat Pumps qualify for a 30% tax credit with no maximum.