Heating systems are popular in most urban homes as they are useful in keeping a clean and comfy indoor air circulation. The type of heating system being used in a home has an overall impact on the energy cost and the level of comfort.
If your home is more than two decades old, you may be at risk using an obsolete heating system which is inefficient and relatively costly to maintain. Installing a well-designed and efficient system helps to reduce energy costs and improves comfort level. Before selecting which system best fits your home, you should research the efficiency ratings and long-term cost of your preferred type of furnace systems.
Forced Air Heat System
The forced air system is the most basic method used for heating and cooling residential homes. It is also referred to as the central heating system and is widely used in many large buildings and retail outlets. Air is heated in a furnace and then forcefully blown into ducts that feed various registers and vents. The furnace can be powered using different fuels including propane, natural gas, fuel oil or electricity.
Radiant Heat System
This system utilizes the principle of radiation where heat is transferred from a hot region to a cold surface. It is a common heating system for buildings and homes with a boiler. The hot water from the boiler is transferred through tubes installed beneath the base surface to disperse heat to all the rooms through the floors. Radiant heat system is famous for providing homes with the most natural and comfortable heat. The system boiler is powered by propane, natural gas, fuel oil or electricity.
Hydronic Heat System
This system is commonly referred to as Hot Water Baseboard. The hydronic system uses heated water from a boiler that is piped into fin-tubes baseboard units attached along the walls. The fins are useful for increasing the surface area available for heat dissipation enhancing the unit's efficiency. The hydronic system utilizes both radiation and convection heat transfer method to distribute the perfect heating and cooling effect to your home.
Geothermal Systems
This is considered as the newest and most energy-efficient heating and cooling system. The method employs Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP) technology which works like a reversed refrigerator. A ground loop pipe is used to obtain heat from one source and deposits it to different locations. This system uses less electricity to operate and maintain, translating to a lower electric bill in the long run. It is also important to know that geothermal requires the highest setup cost compared to other conventional types of heating system.
