Colfax, IN Heating System Guide — Choose the Best HVAC

Estimated Read Time: 9 minutes

Home feeling drafty or your bills rising? Here is how to choose the best heating system for your house without wasting money or comfort. In this guide, we compare furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps for Greater Lafayette homes and show you how to size, budget, and maintain your system the right way. Want a pro checkup first? Ask about our $69 heating tune‑up special and same‑day appointments.

Quick answer: a simple path to the right system

Choosing a new heater can be easy when you focus on four steps:

1. Define goals
2. • Cut bills, reduce cold spots, improve air, or add AC with one system.
2. Match system type to the home
3. • Furnace, boiler, heat pump, ductless, or dual‑fuel.
3. Size and spec correctly
4. • Use a Manual J load calculation, right ductwork, and verified efficiency.
4. Install and maintain
5. • Hire a licensed installer, pull permits, and schedule annual tune‑ups.

If you follow these steps, you will land on a reliable, efficient system that fits your budget and your home.

The Lafayette climate and your home’s needs

Winters in Tippecanoe County bring long cold snaps and lake‑effect winds that push real‑feel temps well below freezing, especially along the Wabash. Older homes near downtown Lafayette often have mixed insulation levels and quirky duct runs. Newer builds in West Lafayette usually have tighter envelopes but may suffer from room‑to‑room imbalances.

Start with a quick audit:

• Comfort issues
• • Cold bedrooms, noisy ducts, dry air, or uneven floors.
• Utility bills
• • Rising winter gas or electric spend points to efficiency losses.
• Home details
• • Square footage, insulation, windows, duct condition, and available fuel.
• Lifestyle
• • Do you travel often? Prefer steady radiant heat or fast, forced air?

A technician can verify these items, measure airflow, and photograph duct and heat‑exchanger conditions so your choice is based on data, not guesswork.

System types compared

Gas furnace

• How it works
• • Burns natural gas or propane to heat air, then distributes it through ducts.
• Best for
• • Most Lafayette homes with gas service that want fast heat and easy pairing with central AC.
• Pros
• • Lower upfront cost, strong heat in deep cold, simple maintenance.
• Consider
• • Requires safe venting and good ducts. Look for high AFUE models to reduce gas use.

Boiler (radiant heat)

• How it works
• • Heats water for radiators, baseboards, or radiant floors. No ductwork needed.
• Best for
• • Homes with existing radiators, owners who love quiet, even heat and less dust.
• Pros
• • Very comfortable radiant heat, zoned control is easy, long equipment life.
• Consider
• • Slower temperature changes, add-on cooling usually needs ductless or high‑velocity systems.

Air‑source heat pump

• How it works
• • Moves heat rather than making it, delivering heating in winter and cooling in summer.
• Best for
• • All‑electric homes, moderate bills with today’s efficient models, and owners who want one system for year‑round comfort.
• Pros
• • Efficient, provides AC too, excellent humidity control.
• Consider
• • Choose a cold‑climate model for Lafayette winters or pair with a gas furnace as dual‑fuel.

Dual‑fuel (heat pump + gas furnace)

• How it works
• • Heat pump handles mild to moderate cold. Gas furnace takes over in deep cold.
• Best for
• • Homeowners who want lower bills most of the season and strong heat during polar blasts.
• Pros
• • Smart switchover for best efficiency and comfort.
• Consider
• • Requires proper controls and a professional setup.

Ductless mini‑split

• How it works
• • Heat pump with small outdoor unit and one or more sleek indoor heads. No ducts.
• Best for
• • Additions, bonus rooms over garages, sunrooms, and homes without ducts.
• Pros
• • Zonal control, excellent efficiency, quick install.
• Consider
• • Multiple indoor heads may be needed for whole‑home coverage.

Packaged units

• How it works
• • Furnace or heat pump in one outdoor cabinet, feeding a single duct trunk.
• Best for
• • Tight mechanical spaces, crawlspace homes, or replacements where a package already exists.
• Pros
• • Space saving and simple service.
• Consider
• • Must be sealed and insulated correctly to avoid losses.

Sizing and efficiency, explained

Right size beats big size. A Manual J heat‑loss calculation uses square footage, insulation, windows, and leakage to set the correct capacity. Oversized systems short cycle and create hot‑cold swings. Undersized systems run nonstop and still feel chilly.

Key efficiency terms:

• AFUE for furnaces
• • 90 percent AFUE means 90 percent of fuel becomes heat for your home. Modern condensing furnaces reach up to about 98 percent AFUE.
• ENERGY STAR furnace criteria
• • In northern states, ENERGY STAR certified gas furnaces are 95 percent AFUE or higher.
• HSPF2 for heat pumps
• • Measures heating efficiency for newer models. ENERGY STAR heat pumps typically post HSPF2 ratings of 7.8 or higher for split systems.

What this means for you:

• A well‑sized 95 percent AFUE furnace can cut gas use compared to older 80 percent units.
• A cold‑climate heat pump with the right HSPF2 rating can heat efficiently into the teens, then a dual‑fuel furnace can take over during the coldest Lafayette nights.

Total cost of ownership

Sticker price is only part of the math. Consider:

1. Upfront equipment and install
2. • Furnace, boiler, or heat pump capacity, venting, and duct or hydronic work.
2. Operating cost
3. • Gas vs electric rates and your run hours in Lafayette winters.
3. Maintenance and repairs
4. • Annual tune‑ups, filter or strainer changes, and warranty coverage.
4. Rebates and financing
5. • Utility and manufacturer rebates change often. Summers can check what you qualify for. Financing plans can spread out the cost of high‑efficiency systems.

A proper load calculation and duct inspection often save more over 10 to 15 years than chasing the lowest bid.

Repair or replace: a clear rule of thumb

Use these checks when deciding:

• Age
• • Furnaces often last 15 to 20 years. Boilers can exceed 20 years with care. Heat pumps often last 12 to 15 years.
• Safety
• • Cracked heat exchangers, failed venting, or chronic flame issues call for replacement.
• Efficiency jump
• • If a repair exceeds 40 to 50 percent of replacement cost and your unit is near end of life, replacement usually pays back.
• Comfort
• • Chronic cold rooms, noise, or dryness often signal duct or system mismatches that a new design can fix.

Installation quality and code compliance matter

The right equipment fails if installed wrong. Expect your installer to:

• Pull the correct permits and schedule inspections where required.
• Perform a Manual J load calculation and duct static‑pressure test.
• Set gas pressure, verify venting, and run combustion or refrigerant charge tests.
• Provide clear documentation of warranties and thermostat controls.

Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling is fully licensed. Our technicians are background‑checked and trained, and we explain pricing upfront so the quote you receive is the price you pay. We back installations with strong warranties and offer 24/7 emergency support during freeze events.

Comfort extras you will appreciate in winter

• Humidity control
• • Add a whole‑home humidifier to reduce dry skin and static while protecting wood floors.
• Air quality
• • Pair high‑MERV filtration or hospital grade air purification to reduce dust and allergens.
• Zoning and controls
• • Smart thermostats and zoning dampers can fix upstairs heat imbalances common in two‑story homes in West Lafayette.

Maintenance: the small habit that prevents big problems

Regular tune‑ups keep efficiency up and failures down. Your pages emphasize pre‑season and routine maintenance for boilers, furnaces, and heat pumps. That is smart because most winter breakdowns trace back to skipped service.

What to expect from a professional tune‑up:

• Safety checks on heat exchangers, burners, and venting.
• Combustion or refrigerant measurements and adjustments.
• Filter replacement and airflow verification.
• Condensate and drain checks to prevent water damage.
• Written findings with any repair options, prioritized by urgency.

Pro tip: Changing filters every 1 to 3 months and keeping outdoor heat pump coils clear of leaves add up to real savings.

Our process to help you choose wisely

1. Discovery
2. • We listen to your comfort goals, energy history, and timeline.
2. Testing and sizing
3. • Load calculation, duct static test, and system inspection with photos.
3. Options and pricing
4. • Good‑Better‑Best choices across brands with clear, upfront pricing and warranty details.
4. Installation day
5. • Respect for your home, permits pulled, and post‑install quality checks.
5. Follow through
6. • File warranties, enroll you in reminders for annual service, and provide 24/7 support.

Service area

We proudly serve Lafayette, West Lafayette, Frankfort, Attica, Delphi, Flora, Battle Ground, Brookston, Rossville, and Westpoint. If you are near Purdue or along the Wabash, we can usually offer same‑day service, even on busy game‑day weekends.

Special Offers for Greater Lafayette

• Special Offer: Heating tune‑up only $69. Schedule by 2/28/26. Must present at time of service. Terms apply. Call (765) 262-5364.
• Free written estimate for new heating system installations or replacements. Get clear options before you decide.
• Financing available: payments as low as $75 per month on select high‑efficiency furnaces. Call for details.

Ready to save? Call (765) 262-5364 or book at https://www.summersphc.com/lafayette/

What Homeowners Are Saying

"David was a knowledgeable, polite, professional service person... We had a heating system installed last year and couldn't be happier with it!... David has given us peace of mind with our heating." –Don D., Lafayette

"Zach was well-versed in his profession and quite willing to show me what exactly he was working on... We are ordering a whole new system as ours is about 18 years old... I have faith and trust in Summers to always do a great job." –Zach W., Greater Lafayette

"My initial experience with this company was positive. They came on an emergency call when my heat went out in winter. We chose them to replace the furnace and AC." –Anonymous., Tippecanoe County

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know what size heater I need?

A technician should perform a Manual J load calculation that factors in square footage, insulation, windows, and air leakage. Guessing leads to short cycling or rooms that never warm up.

Is a heat pump enough for Lafayette winters?

Yes, if you choose a cold‑climate model and size it correctly. Many homeowners pair a heat pump with a gas furnace in a dual‑fuel setup for the best comfort on the coldest nights.

What AFUE should I choose for a gas furnace?

Look for at least 95 percent AFUE to meet northern ENERGY STAR criteria. Many modern condensing furnaces reach as high as about 98 percent AFUE.

How often should I service my heating system?

Once per year. Schedule a pre‑season tune‑up to catch safety issues, verify efficiency, and prevent winter breakdowns. Filters usually need changing every 1 to 3 months.

Can Summers provide a free estimate for a new system?

Yes. We offer free written estimates for new heating installations or replacements, plus financing options for approved buyers.

Bottom line

The best heating system for your house balances comfort, efficiency, and budget for Lafayette’s winter reality. With proper sizing, installation, and maintenance, a high‑efficiency furnace, boiler, or heat pump can deliver years of steady warmth and lower bills. Ready to compare options for the best heating system for your house in Greater Lafayette? Call (765) 262-5364 or visit https://www.summersphc.com/lafayette/ to schedule a free estimate. Ask about the $69 tune‑up.

Call, Schedule, or Chat Now

• Call our local team at (765) 262-5364
• Book online at https://www.summersphc.com/lafayette/
• Use your $69 heating tune‑up before 2/28/26

Get honest pricing, strong warranties, and licensed techs who know Greater Lafayette homes.

About Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling

Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling has served Greater Lafayette for over 40 years with licensed, background‑checked technicians. We offer transparent, upfront pricing, strong warranties, and 24/7 emergency response. We service all major brands and provide budget‑smart options, including financing on high‑efficiency systems. Our work is backed by satisfaction guarantees, and our local team knows Tippecanoe County homes inside and out. Call (765) 262-5364 or visit summersphc.com/lafayette.