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. Whether if you get traditional radiators or designer radiators. It really depends on what you prefer.
With all these options, how do you decide? We can help with that.
Table of Contents
Types of Heating Systems
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.
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