How Do Heating Systems Work

Whether you are looking to replace your current heating system or you are wondering how an HVAC system works in the first place, there are many things that you need to consider before you make any decisions including finding a furnace repair pros to install your heating system correctly. With that being said, there are several different types of heating systems that provide heating by using one of two methods - radiant energy transfer or moving air around with fans.

There are benefits and disadvantages to each type of heating system.

To start, a radiant heating system uses a radiator panel that contains either hot water or steam passing through the tubing. Because the heat is transferred directly from one surface to another, this type of heating is easy to control and provides high levels of comfort as well as is very energy efficient.

However, the system is much more expensive to install and when compared to other types of heating, radiant heaters may not be able to provide enough heat depending on the size of your home. On the contrary, a forced-air furnace that uses a high-powered fan to circulate the air throughout a duct network provides quick bursts of warm air that can easily control the temperature in your home. Even though this system is not extremely energy-efficient, it is significantly cheaper than radiant systems and provides more than enough heat for most homes.

The Difference Between Furnaces and Heaters

As you can see above, there are many different types of heating systems available on the market today. Many people use the terms furnace and heater interchangeably, but there is a difference between the two. A furnace is the main component of the heating system that warms your home whereas a heater provides supplemental heat when you want to warm up for example.

If you are looking for supplemental heating during cold nights or days, then you may want to invest in space heaters or portable heaters rather than a whole new furnace.

Should I Get a Furnace System For My Home?

Whether you have an old system that is not efficient enough for your home or you just want to reduce your energy costs, there are many different reasons why you should consider getting a furnace system put in for your home. One of the major benefits to this is that you will be able to designate an individual room in your home for whatever it is you are heating - living room, basement, garage, or just one bedroom.

Another benefit to installing a furnace system is that they are extremely energy efficient and do not cost very much regarding monthly utilities when compared with other types of heating systems. A furnace will also work to heat your entire home and have an average lifespan of 15 years compared to a space heater which is designed for smaller rooms. However, if you are looking to only heat one room, then investing in a portable heating system or electric space heater may be more beneficial to you financially.

How Does a Heating System Heat My Home?

Although there are many benefits to investing in either radiant or forced air heating systems, one of the main advantages is that you will not have to worry about heating your home during the winter months. However, within both types of systems, various components work together to distribute and provide heat throughout your entire home, however, it is not unusual that it may also create a strange noise especially if your heating system reaches its lifespan. In that case, it is vital to hire a professional heating repair expert. 

The main component in radiant and forced-air heating systems is an insulated metal or fiberglass tube which is known as a heating duct. Depending on where your furnace is located within your home, you will have the main trunk line running throughout the house to provide heat. These branches allow the hot air from the furnace to move through your floor or ceiling and into additional rooms that need warming up.

A forced-air heating system works slightly differently than a radiant heating system. Within this type of system, there are smaller fans that blow warm air into your home which is then distributed by the built-in ducts found in most homes. The forced air system will never reach certain rooms at all and will not be able to provide heat throughout the whole day - it would come on and off quite often. A radiant heating system, on the other hand, heats your floors rather than your walls and provides consistent warmth throughout.

In conclusion, installing a furnace system in your home is beneficial during the cold season, however, if you find some common problems in your furnace, it is best to hire a professional heating repair expert to fix your system as soon as possible.