A reliable heating system is crucial to making your home comfortable. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to pick the right one for your home when you do not know much about them. Here is an overview of several common heating systems that can be used to keep a home warm.

Forced Air

A forced air system will be a very versatile option for residential homes. If you have a forced air cooling system, then a forced air heating system can use the same ductwork that is run through the walls. Otherwise, it may be cost prohibitive to install forced air heating. The benefit of using forced air is that it can heat your home very fast since the hot air hits the room immediately after it is created by the heating system.

Radiant Heat

A popular alternative to forced air systems is radiant heating. This works a bit differently because there is actually no airflow that helps distribute the heat. Instead, hot water pipes are run through the floor and connected to a central boiler. This allows the heat to be contained to the pipe and radiate upward through the floor and into the room. It creates heat that is even and comfortable, all while being energy efficient. 

Heat Pump

A heat pump will work by extracting heat from a source, which could be the air outside or from underground, and moving it inside your home. The system does not generate its own heat, which can make it very energy efficient. The downside of a heat pump is that it cannot be used in every climate since it will struggle to extract heat in regions that are very cold for long portions of the year. 

Electric Heat

Electric heat comes in many forms, but it is commonly used with electric baseboard heaters that surround a room. Heat is generated by using electrical resistance, which is not the most energy-efficient way to get the job done. You'll find that electric heat is used in areas where a homeowner may not have access to another fuel source like gas or oil and does not need heat that frequently. 

Oil Heating

Furnaces and boilers will use oil to generate heat and provide a clean and affordable alternative for whole-home heating. Of course, you do need to monitor the oil levels so that you do not run out of heating oil when you need it the most. With proper maintenance and ventilation, an oil heating system safely heats your home during the cold winter months.

Contact a heating services provider for more information.