Slash Your Heating Bills!
(Page 5 of 6)
December 2005/January 2006
By Paul Scheckel
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Types of Heating Systems
The options listed below are the most popular types of heating systems. Each offers different options for heating delivery and control.
Furnace. This type of system heats air with oil, natural gas, propane, electricity or biofuels. A fan pushes the hot air through ductwork to distribute heat throughout the home. This type of heat distribution is called “forced air,” and these systems are popular because they can share a distribution system with the central air-conditioning. The main drawback of furnaces is the tendency for ductwork to leak both air and heat if not properly sealed and insulated. It’s also more difficult to create heat zones with a furnace, which you will need to do if you want to heat different areas of your house to different temperatures. To create heat zones, you will have to install a new system expressly for that purpose.
Boiler. Hot water is distributed to each room by baseboard units, radiant heat tubes under or within a floor, or radiators. Heat distribution from a boiler is clean, quiet and easily zoned — a different thermostat can be placed in every room. A boiler can be a good option if you don’t need central air-conditioning, which requires a forced-air system. Many older houses use radiators, but radiant-floor heating is becoming more popular. This option can save energy by keeping your home more comfortable at lower temperatures, but installing radiant-floor heating is labor-intensive, which can make it an expensive choice.
Combination Systems. A water heater or boiler also can be used in conjunction with forced-air heat distribution. As hot water circulates through the coil, a fan blows air over it, distributing the heat through the ductwork to your house. This type of forced-air system is easier to zone than a furnace.
Electric Resistance Heat. Electric baseboard heaters use this type of heat, which is created by resistance to the flow of current. In most parts of the country, the cost of electricity makes this an expensive option unless you will need to use it infrequently. In this case, it can be a practical choice because it is inexpensive to install and easy to create heat zones.
Space Heaters. Woodstoves, fireplace inserts and gas or kerosene room heaters are good, low-cost heating options if you have an open floor plan, live in a warm climate or have a small or very efficient home. Unvented space heaters (the kind that burn fuel, but don’t require a chimney) present heath, safety and durability problems and should not be used.
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