Is your home furnace or boiler broken beyond repair? Or are you just looking to replace your existing residential heating system with a more efficient upgrade?
Either way, you may notice that your
options for home heating are far more numerous than you realized. For one
thing, many types of heating systems are based on very new technologies
that weren't available until a few years ago. Also, the ideal choice for
your home depends on the type of system you currently have installed, the
climate in your area, and other factors.
With all these options, how do you
decide? We can help with that.
Below, you'll find a complete list
of residential heating systems along with the pros and cons of each. Read
through this guide and consider each option carefully to make an informed
decision.
1.
Furnaces
Furnaces are most commonly used in
connection with centralized AC units. This is because they use the same forced
air/air duct system to distribute heat throughout your home. For this
reason, they're easy and cheap to install if you already have the ductwork
set up.
Here's how they work. The furnace
burns fuel or uses electricity to heat the air. Then the fan blows the heated
air through the ducts into each room.
They aren't as energy-efficient as
newer heating systems. But they're very effective at heating your home (when
properly sized/installed). Note that you may need a propane delivery company/heating oil delivery service to keep your furnace fueled.
2.
Boilers/Radiators
Boilers use heated water
instead of air to warm your home. Once the water is heated, it's sent
to radiators that are installed in multiple rooms in your home. The heated
water warms the radiators, which then radiate that heat into each room.
These systems are based on old
technology and are not very efficient by today's standards. If your home has a
boiler installed, you're better off upgrading to a more cost-effective option.
3.
Radiant Heating
Radiant heating is similar to
radiator technology. It uses hot water or electric heat to warm radiant tubes
concealed in the floor, walls, and/or ceiling of your home. This is more
efficient than a radiator system but problematic to repair.
4.
Baseboard Heaters
Baseboard heaters are basically
like radiators combined with portable electric heaters. They are
energy-efficient but not very powerful. Thus, they're better for
additional/supplemental heating rather than whole-house heating.
5.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps work like centralized AC but in reverse. That is, instead of absorbing heat from
your indoor air and distributing it outside, they bring the outside heat
in. These systems may be combined with a heat source, like a furnace, in case
temperatures outside get too cold.
Often, though, they draw heat from
geothermal coils buried deep underground. The coils are placed deep enough that
they aren't affected much by the weather outside.
6.
Ductless Mini-Split
Ductless mini-splits use the same
technology as heat pumps. But each mini-split is a complete, single-room unit
with its own fan.
This replaces the need for a
centralized indoor unit and ducts. It's also the most efficient way of heating
and cooling your home.
Which
Types of Heating Systems Are Best For Your Home?
Using the information above, you
should be able to determine the best types of heating systems for your home.
Still, this list has given you a lot to consider. If you need more time to
decide, keep this guide bookmarked to use as a reference.
Which topics would you like to explore next? We have the expert tips you need to update your bedroom, living room, bathroom, kitchen, or home security system. Find the content you're looking for using the menu bar or the search bar at the top of this page.
