| Deciding whether or not to replace your current | | | | Radiant Heat: Also offering multiple forms this |
| home heating system can be a stressful decision, | | | | option can be found in radiant baseboard heat, |
| and it is important to know what products and | | | | hydronic systems, or radiant ceiling or floor heat. |
| service are available. As always, knowing what is | | | | Baseboard heat utilizes long metal units with |
| out there can have a big impact on your choice. | | | | electrical systems inside of them, usually a coil of |
| Below is a synopsis of some of the more popular | | | | wire that is heated and consequently projects |
| home heating options. | | | | heat into a room. Each unit is usually self-controlled |
| Furnaces: There are quite a few different | | | | with an individual thermostat, but does not usually |
| varieties of furnaces available today. Basically, a | | | | show the room's current temperature. They can |
| furnace is a device that accepts air from a house | | | | be used as the primary source of heat as well as |
| through a series of ducts and vents. The air is | | | | a secondary form for colder portions of the |
| then taken to an area where it can be warmed | | | | home, and usually operate at a greater cost than |
| and circulated through the home after filtration by | | | | conventional furnaces. Radiant ceiling or floor heat |
| use of a blower. Most often furnaces are | | | | uses a similar principle as it uses electrical units |
| powered by gas or electric sources, but can also | | | | that are placed in floors or ceilings to produce and |
| be adapted to be used with oil, coal, or wood. If | | | | dispense heat. Lastly, hydronic systems use |
| you decide on this form of home heating, be sure | | | | heated water from a boiler pushed through a |
| that you check that the model has a variable | | | | piping system to provide heat throughout the |
| speed fan, which will use less energy than | | | | home and are used in a variety of ways, ranging |
| conventional units, and that the capacity of the | | | | from home heating to use as an ice prevention |
| furnace is not to high for the square footage of | | | | system on driveways. |
| your home. For example, you don't want to be | | | | Space Heaters: Very common and efficient, space |
| paying for a unit that can heat a 2500 square | | | | heaters are a great way to heat a small area of |
| foot home when yours is only half that size. | | | | the home instead of the entire area. These units |
| Heat Pumps: There are two kinds of heat pumps: | | | | allow you to turn down your thermostat and |
| air source and ground source. The basic principles | | | | save energy usage by heating only the portions |
| behind both are easily explained. Air source heat | | | | of your home that you actively use. While not a |
| pump units use warm outer air as a main source | | | | heating solution for an entire home, they are |
| of heat and provide additional heating if needed, | | | | something to keep in mind. |
| and because of this are only appropriate for mild | | | | With the many different forms of heating |
| or warm areas. Air conditioning is often built into | | | | systems available one choice can be hard, but |
| the setup and use the same principle to cool the | | | | advice from a local professional may help you in |
| air. Ground source heat pumps, often called | | | | your research. Also be sure to ask about ways |
| geothermal heat pumps, use the fact that | | | | to save on maintenance costs through simple |
| underground temperatures generally stay the | | | | tasks such as replacing air filters and cleaning |
| same all year to heat a home, pulling heat from | | | | accessible parts of the system. Also be sure to |
| below the surface to heat a home. While not as | | | | research EnergyStar ratings of any heating units |
| popular, installers of this form cite greater energy | | | | you are considering, and as always, ask plenty of |
| savings and possible use as a water heater | | | | questions to make sure you are making the right |
| despite its larger price tag. | | | | choice for your home. |