Furnaces are one of the most widely used home heating systems. As forced air systems, furnaces use a blower to warm and distribute air throughout a home using ductwork.
If your thermostat needs adjustment to keep the room at an acceptable temperature, River Valley Heating Installation has the expertise and know-how to assist in making an informed decision regarding which heating system would best meet your needs.
Furnaces are the primary heating source in most homes. They heat and distribute warm air through ducts to every area, using natural gas, propane, oil or wood as fuel sources.
Furnaces are typically stored in either the basement or utility closet, although older models often use solid fuel like coal and wood for combustion requiring regular maintenance to remove ash and clinkers from their burner areas whereas modern furnaces feature electric blowers to promote air circulation and heat distribution.
Furnace systems come in either single-stage or two-stage configurations. Single-stage furnaces operate in full or off mode and pump out high velocity air at all times to keep the house hot; two-stage models typically operate at lower speeds with quieter fan speeds that supply consistent, steady streams of heated air for optimal comfort levels.
Furnaces come in two distinct varieties, both capable of being combined with central air conditioning to provide cooling during the summer months.
One of the benefits of these systems is that they can be integrated with humidifiers, dehumidifiers or air filters for improved indoor air quality. This is a great solution if any family member suffers from a condition like asthma.
A boiler is a large-sized, closed container used to heat liquids such as water to produce steam or vapor, serving as an integral part of hydronic heating systems.
Hydronic systems use a boiler to heat specialized plumbing lines that connect it with radiant heaters such as radiators or in-floor heating throughout a property, then release its heat throughout rooms keeping everyone toasty warm and cozy.
A boiler uses water's remarkable heat-retaining power to spread heat across a property evenly. Often powered by gas fuel sources or electricity, the boiler heats the water up to a desired set temperature before sending it through pipes to radiant heating devices throughout its property.
There are different kinds of boilers on the market, and which is best for your home depends on your individual requirements. One popular option is the combi-boiler which combines hydronic space heating with domestic hot water production through dual heat exchangers while a third provides endless hot water to sinks and showers.
Other types of boilers include conventional and regular models. Both rely on an external tank of water as their source, and typically need to have enough capacity to meet household water requirements.
Radiant Heating
Furnaces generate heat, which then gets converted to hot air that is distributed through vents in living spaces.
Unfortunately, air isn't a great conductor of thermal energy; much of it dissipates before ever reaching you in your living area. Radiant heating systems use water or metal pipes instead to transmit this heat energy more effectively and more efficiently than its conventional counterpart.
Underfloor radiant systems use a network of insulated tubing installed beneath your floors, walls or ceilings that is powered by either electricity or hot water and is activated on demand to heat the tubing that in turn radiates its heat into all parts of your room simultaneously. It heats surfaces such as floors, walls, and ceilings simultaneously.
These systems require minimal maintenance, outlive forced air systems, and can become more energy efficient when coupled with solar energy. Unfortunately, due to rising electricity prices they can become costly to run.
Radiant heating systems are quieter than forced air systems and don't disperse allergens throughout your home like ductwork does, which makes them an attractive option for allergy sufferers.
Radiant heating has become one of the fastest-growing and most sought-after means of warming homes both new and retrofitted, thanks to its energy efficiency, comfort, and health advantages.
Heat pumps function like AC units and refrigerators (but in reverse) by pulling heat from outdoor air into their own systems during wintertime.
Heat pumps are among the only home heating systems that can provide you with heating and cooling simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate systems. Furthermore, they're more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly than furnaces as they use electricity instead of fossil fuels for heat generation.
An air-source heat pump looks similar to an air conditioning unit and connects an outdoor unit with multiple indoor units (which may or may not be ductless). Geothermal heat pumps work differently, drawing thermal energy from underground or aquatic resources instead.
Conclusion
Installing extra heating in climates where temperatures regularly dip below freezing is wise. A dual fuel system using both heat pump and furnace may be most appropriate; consult a professional HVAC technician to help you decide on an ideal configuration for your home.
