Types of Heating Systems - Pros and Cons

Types of Heating Systems - Pros and Cons

Furnaces
Most homes in the U.S. use a central heating system like a furnace to provide their heating. A furnace works by blowing heated air throughout the home through a system of ducts. It can be powered by electricity, natural gas, or fuel oil.
Pros - They are relatively inexpensive and their life expectancy is 15-30 years.
Cons - The blower fan can be loud

Boilers
Also considered a central heating system, boilers are special-purpose water heaters. While furnaces carry heat in warm air, boiler systems distribute the heat in hot water, which gives up heat as it passes through radiators or other devices in rooms throughout the house. The cooler water then returns to the boiler to be reheated. Hot water systems are often called hydronic systems. Residential boilers generally use natural gas or heating oil for fuel.
Pros - Easier to maintain heating only in rooms that need it.
Cons - Expensive to install and requires a minimum temperature to prevent pipes from freezing.

Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are simply two-way air conditioners. During the summer, an air conditioner works by moving heat from the relatively cool indoors to the relatively warm outside. In winter the heat pump takes in heat from the air outside with the help of an electrical system, and discharging that heat inside the house. Almost all heat pumps use forced warm-air delivery systems to move heated air throughout the house.
Pros - Can provide your home with both heating and cooling if you live in a mild climate.
Cons - Some types can be expensive to install.

Active Solar Heaters
Active solar heating systems use solar energy to heat either liquid or air and then transfer the solar heat to the interior space or to a storage system for later use. If the solar system cannot provide enough space heating, a back-up system provides the additional heat. Liquid systems are more often used when storage is included, and are well suited for radiant heating systems, boilers with hot water radiators, and even absorption heat pumps and coolers.
Pros - Can reduce your fuel bills.
Cons - May need a second heating source, which makes the initial purchase more expensive.

Electric Space Heaters
Portable electric heaters are affordable to buy, but expensive to use. These resistive heaters convert electric current from the wall socket directly into heat, like a toaster or clothes iron. Just remember, electric resistance heat is usually the most expensive form of heat.
Pros - Can be used for a number of distribution heating systems.
Cons - Can be expensive to operate compared to combustion appliances.

Common Furnace Problems to be Aware of

Common Furnace Problems to be Aware of

When the cold season arrives, many people call a professional for the same problems afflicting furnaces. By knowing what the most common furnace problems are, you can take the proper precautions to prevent them. But with the proper annual scheduled maintenance, your furnace will continue to run efficiently and reliably. Here are some of the most common factors to look out for to keep your furnace running in good shape.

Dirty filters
Dirty or clogged air filters can clog the airflow, making a furnace work harder to circulate. Sometimes a clogged filter can damage the limit switch which controls the fan.

Wear and tear
Normal wear and tear can cause airflow problems, heat control-related problems or even overheating.

Electric ignition or pilot control problems
A defective ignition or pilot could make it hard to heat a home or commercial space. Thermocouple problems, drafts or clogs in the furnace may result in an unlit pilot light.

Defective thermostat
A defective thermostat can lead to problems with the fan and/or temperature levels.

The furnace doesn’t heat at all
A furnace that doesn’t heat at all may have problems with the thermostat setting, power, gas or the pilot light.

The furnace doesn’t heat enough
In addition to issues with a clogged filter, a furnace may not produce enough heat if it’s the wrong size for the space.

Frequent cycling
Cycling between the “On” and “Off” modes may indicate a clogged filter, wrong airflow or a bad thermostat setting.

The blower continuously runs
Blower issues may be a sign of a problem with the limit switch which may need to be replaced.

The furnace is too noisy
Rumbling, squeaking and rattles aren’t normal. These sounds may be an indicator that the furnace may have a mechanical problem, airflow reduction or a clogged burner.

Check the circuit breaker and power supply
If the furnace stops working or the thermostat’s screen is blank, this could mean the circuit breaker tripped or blew a fuse.

Maintenance
It’s important to schedule maintenance for your furnace every year. At the end of the summer or beginning of fall, hire a furnace repair specialist to inspect and service the furnace. This will fix any problems that could cause breakdowns or expensive repairs during busy winter months.

Ignition control or pilot light problems
Ignition issues should be handled by a professional as it may be a result of clogged components or defective electrical components.

Mechanical issues
This is another problem that should be handled by a technician. Otherwise, you may void the warranty on the furnace or accidentally cause a larger problem.

Natural gas or propane problems
If you suspect there’s a problem with a gas valve, it should be handled immediately by a professional.

Which Heating System is Best for your Home?

Which Heating System is Best for your Home

In today’s age of advanced technology, it’s easy to take heating systems for granted. It’s been a long time since the wood or coal fueled fireplaces and furnaces were once critical for staying comfortable in winter in the winter. Having a good understanding of the different types of heating system will help you understand which one may be right for your home.

1. Mini-Duct Forced Air System
Also known as the Unico System after one of the companies who manufacture it, mini ducts are usually made for air-conditioning, though the system also can be used for heating with an optional electric furnace. It blows treated, high velocity air through flexible nylon tubing and out through vents. It can be very valuable for your home to have this system because the vents create little impact on the walls and framing. The tubing can be snaked through and around objects, avoiding many problems caused by large, solid ductwork.

2. The Modern Fireplace
The traditional fireplace can be updated and improved by using propane gas fire, and also using new types of inserts. Many attractive decorative, metal inserts for coal or wood fireplaces are made with optional matching mantelpieces. Electric heat inserts with faux flames upgrade the old fireplace without having to use any gas piping. Some fireplace manufacturers offer a variety of gas-fired inserts, which provide heat through power outages.

3. Hot-Water & Steam Radiators
These were common in the late 19th century and standard until recently, radiators provide a good amount of heat and are pretty easy to install. After the arrival of central HVAC systems in the 1960s, hot-water radiator installations began to disappear, yet the repair and refinishing of old radiators and the sale of antique ones became a thriving business. For residential heat, steam was used less than hot water, but both systems are easily repairable.

4. Radiant Heat
Hot water pipes embedded in the floor became popular after World War II, especially for slab-on-grade houses. Radiant heat provides comfortable warmth which is different from the fixed-point heat of radiators. Frank Lloyd Wright famously used radiant heat in his Usonian houses. However, those early installations were prone to leaks, usually because of pipe corrosion, and originals are difficult and expensive to repair. But modern radiant heating is much improved. Electric under-floor radiant systems are also easy to install under wood or tile floors. These are especially useful in small installations like kitchens and baths because they don’t need a separate powered heat source.

5. Forced Air
Forced-air heating systems also can provide ventilation and cooling, and for the past 50 years have been the preferred system in new houses. However, installing large, insulated ducts in an older house can be difficult or require giving up a lot of closet space. One solution is to use floor registers on the first floor with the fan-coil unit in the basement, and ceiling outlets on the second floor, with a separate unit in the attic.

Types of Boilers

Types of Boilers

Boilers are one of the most common home heating systems especially in older houses in the Northeast and other cold-climate areas. Boilers are the appliances that heat water, and then distribute hot steam or hot water along a series of pipes throughout the home. Steam is sent to radiators, and hot water flows to radiators or radiant heating systems. Boilers are powered by natural gas, heating oil, propane, electricity or a biodiesel-oil blend. New systems are very energy efficient.

Types of Boilers

Boilers are also known as central heating systems because the equipment is in a central location, and the heat is spread throughout the home. But unlike other heating methods, there’s usually a gap in time between the boiler starting and the heat being distributed.

Most boilers produce steam or hot water using natural gas or heating oil, and all are either condensing or non-condensing. Boilers are required by the federal government to be at least 80 percent efficient. Some boiler can have efficiencies as high as 98.5 percent. All boiler types usually last 15 to 30 years.

Gas-Fired Boilers

Gas-fired boilers are fueled by either natural gas or propane, and are highly efficient. Natural gas is not available everywhere though, and some homeowners at the end of a gas pipeline pay higher fuel prices. Propane is generally more expensive than natural gas, but it’s more available than natural gas.

Oil-Fired Boilers

Oil-fired boilers are common in areas that have limited access to natural gas. If you have an oil-fired boiler, you’ll need to have heating oil delivered and stored in tanks, and your operating costs will depend on the rise and fall of oil prices.

Some boiler companies now offer models that burn biodiesel fuel, which produces less pollution than regular heating oil. Depending on oil prices, biodiesel heating oil can be less expensive with standard oil. However, because it burns cleaner and lubricates the system, biodiesel fuel can also reduce your boiler service and cleaning costs.

Electric Boilers

Electric boilers are highly energy efficient. But they’re usually not economical because electricity costs are higher than other fuel types in many parts of the country. You may also consider a heat pump if you choose and electric heater.

Boiler Safety

Boiler Safety

The safe and efficient operation of boilers and domestic water heaters is necessary for the operation of most residential and commercial facilities. Improvements in designs and control systems have made modern units safer and more efficient than before.

But there are other factors to consider to ensure safety and efficiency. In addition to a well designed system, scheduled inspections and testing done by a technician or service professional could keep your boiler running safely and efficiently.

Safety Devices

All boilers and domestic water heaters have a variety of built-in devices to help ensure their safe operation. Like other components of major appliances, they require scheduled maintenance to make sure they’re operating properly. Boiler technicians and professionals pay close attention to three key safety devices to protect the safe operation of your home’s boiler:

Safety valves. The safety valve is the most important safety device in a boiler or domestic hot-water system. It is designed to relieve internal pressure if a range of failures occur within the system. Although it is simple in design and straightforward in operation, something as minor as corroded or restricted flow inside of the valve and its related piping can affect the overall operation.

Water-level control and low-water fuel cutoff. Many systems combine these two separate boiler-safety functions into one unit. They’re designed to make sure the water level inside of the boiler never falls below a certain amount. If that ever happens, the system is designed to shut down the boiler by cutting off its fuel. Proper functioning requires operators to make sure there is no build-up of sludge or debris within the system that would interfere with its detection and operation.

Water-gauge glass. Even with a functioning water-level-control system, it’s important for your service professional to verify the actual level of water in the system. Here, too, a build-up of sludge and debris can give false level indications.