The mention of types of house heating reminds me of the first house Wifey and I lived in after we got married. The one-bed virtually had no heating.
So, to keep warm, we would pile the bed with as many blankets as we had, remove the cold sheets and crawl into bed buck naked -for maximum body heat. Needless to say that sleeping stark naked also came with its pecks-so much so that it has since become our bedroom tradition-NO PAJAMAS PLEASE, THANK YOU!
Anyway, after about eighteen months of cuddling and saving…and the arrival of our firstborn, we had no choice, it was time to finally have heating installed. Either that or continue sleeping with the baby…or worse.
I contacted a reputable house heating company and requested a quotation for them to install house heating for us.
Imagine my surprise when the response was, “And what type of house heating would you like to install, sir?”
” What types of house heating do you have available?” I responded, hopefully hiding my ignorance.
Thankfully, the salesperson was only too happy to spell them out and pitch them to me, without any fuss.
Meanwhile, I listened and let it all sink in….
Types of House Heating
1. Well, for starters sir, there’s…Electric House Heating System
Save on your heating bill this winter, with our new budget-friendly electric heating system. Electric heating, or electric resistance heating, converts electricity into heat. Its efficiency is around 95–100% and the system lasts for up to some 20+ years time .
Electric heating is the way to go if you’re looking for a way to stay warm without spending a fortune. You’ll be able to heat your home without paying for expensive gas or oil.
We offer an affordable electric heating system that is easy to install and operate. All you need is a 120-volt outlet, and you’re good to go. So, instead of paying high heating bills this winter, try our new electric heating system.
2. Electric House Heating not for you? No worries, how about….Portable Heaters House Heating.
If you’re looking for a short-term solution, then portable heaters like an electric space heater might just be the perfect solution for you. Portable space heaters are designed to provide an affordable and sustainable heating solution.
Portable heaters are an affordable solution if your main heating system isn’t working well or is too expensive to run. Found in small-to-medium to big, portable space heaters are energy-efficient heaters that can be plugged into any standard outlet and be used in any room.
They can be particularly cost-effective if you only need to heat one room. They, however, also come equipped with a convenient handle, making it easy to move around the house.
Portable space heaters come in a variety of styles and colors, so you can find one that matches your home’s decor. Some portable heaters work by convection, which circulate the air in a room.
Others may use radiant heating—an option that sends heat into its direct line of sight. Simply plug it in and let it heat up. Some portable heaters use up to 80% less energy than your typical space heater.
3. Ohhh! You have plenty of sunshine in your neck of the woods? Then why not try….Active Solar House Heating
It’s cold outside and it’s not going to get any warmer any time soon. What are your options? Well, why not use what little of the sun there still is by using active solar heating systems.
Active solar heating systems use the power of the sun to heat and warm liquid or air for heating. You can use the heat or store it in a solar battery for later. The life expectancy for a solar heating system is give or take some 20+ years.
4. Arg, with the Polar Vortex looming, maybe you should consider….Stove House Heating
With the Polar Vortex looming, another way of keeping your home warm and cozy is stoves.
If you’re looking for a medium-to-long term solution, you might want to consider a wood stove. Wood stoves are available in both gas and wood-burning models. You can choose from a variety of colors and styles until you find one that matches your home’s decor.
When it comes to stoves, you might want to consider a pellet stove. Pellet stoves are designed to heat a large area of your home efficiently and cost-effectively. They are available in both gas and wood-burning models.
5. If Stove House Heating is not for you, then try…..Fireplace House Heating
For centuries, Humankind has been heating its homes using open-to-closed fireplaces. With technological advancement and innovation, fireplaces as a type of house heating source, have moved from using wood to using gas, and most recently, electricity. Take the Camino, by Amantii for an example.
A modern-day high-quality wood and electric fireplace provide up to 36,000 BTUs of heat. A Camino is an electric fireplace that can be used in a small to medium-sized home and is designed to last for decades. It features an insulated steel firebox and an EPA-certified metal-lined firebox door.
Depending on the model, a Camino has a wide variety of accessories, including a firebox grate, a damper door, and a large ash drawer. It is UL-listed and has a patented automatic air wash system.
6. Similar to Fireplace House Heating is….Furnace House Heating
Using furnaces is another popular type of house heating system. Such furnaces work by heating air and sending it throughout your home with air ducts.
When it comes to furnaces, your house can be warmed by a wood, gas furnace, electric, or oil-powered unit. A furnace is typically installed in the basement. However, most recently, attic furnaces are something more homeowners have been considering in both residential and commercial buildings.
Moving your furnace to the attic or having a furnace installed in your attic can provide greater convenience and safety. If your attic is fully insulated, installing a furnace in the upper portion of your home may be a good consideration. For many, putting a furnace in the attic may offer more living space and a lower furnace installation cost.
A furnace’s energy efficiency can range from 59%–98.5% but requires that you replace it within 15–30 years.
7. Alternatively, ponder on a….Pump House Heating System
Ever heard of heat pumps? Well, a heat pump can be used for heating and cooling a home.
Simply defined, a heat pump is a device that uses a small amount of energy to move heat from one location to another. Heat pumps are typically used to pull heat out of the air or ground to heat a home or office building, but they can be reversed to cool a building or part of a building.
And how do they work, you ask? If you know how an air conditioner works, then you already have a rough idea of how a heat pump works. That’s because a heat pump and air conditioners operate in a very similar way.
Heat pumps heat a building (or part of a building) by transferring heat or thermal energy from the outside using the refrigeration cycle. Many heat pumps can also operate in the opposite direction, cooling the building by removing heat from the enclosed space and rejecting it outside.
A heat pump offers you a way to use electricity to heat water efficiently. However, where a geyser uses three units of electrical energy to produce three units of heat energy, a heat pump converts just one unit of electrical energy into four units of heat energy.
Essentially, this system pulls heat from surrounding air for heating and has an efficiency rate of 6.8–10 HSPF (i.e. Heating Seasonal Performance Factor).
Depending on use and maintenance, you can expect heat pumps to last anything up to 15 years.
8. But if purse strings are tight, why not back in the day….Boiler House Heating
A boiler is a closed vessel in which fluid (generally water) is heated, but does not necessarily boil. The heated or vaporized fluid exits the boiler for use in various processes or heating applications. These include house heating, water heating, water heating, central heating, boiler-based power generation, cooking, and sanitation.
Boilers are one of the most common types of heating systems in the U.S. They distribute hot water or steam through pipes to your home’s radiators, floor systems, or coils.
Boilers’ energy efficiency can be between 50%–90%, depending on the boiler’s age. You can expect your boiler to last between 15–30 years.
9. You could innovate and use…..Renewable Energy House Heating system
Scientists are currently experimenting on algae, wood chips, grasses, biogas, and other solid waste, to find a raw material that will yield a new generation of renewable fuel—a source that doesn’t divert food into energy, and is abundant enough to make a significant dent in the oil market.
Already, biogas is one renewable energy source that is being used in some countries for house heating and cooking. Wood chips are also being used in some developing countries for both house heating and cooking.
10. Or just go prehistoric with…..Animal and Fossil Fuel House Heating, why don’t you?
Although I don’t know if it is allowed in the U.S., people living in colder climates often rely on burning animals and fossil fuels to keep them warm. There are many different types of animal and fossil fuels to choose from for heating your house. These include blubber or whale fat, coal, natural gas, oil, and diesel.
A good way to start is to determine the type of fuel that is most readily available in your area.
Ignoring the last part of the salesperson’s attempt at humor or rudeness, I shot her with some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) concerning types of house heating.
Types of House Heating: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How long will it take to install a new heating system?
A: The length of time it takes to install your new heating system will depend on a range of factors. These include the type of system you choose and how complex the fitting is likely to be. For example, if you’re replacing a boiler on a like-for-like basis in the same location in your home, the installation should take no longer than a day.
However, if new pipework is required, you’re having your heating system power flushed or you’re changing the location of your boiler, you can expect fitting to take between one and three days.
If you have an entirely new type of system installed, installation is also likely to take longer.
Q: What types of renewable energy heating systems do you install?
A: We provide a wide range of renewable energy solutions, such as air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, biomass boilers, solar energy for water heating, and solar PV panels. The choice of the renewable energy system will depend on several factors, including your budget and the size and type of the property.
For example, an air source heat pump is the perfect match for a smaller, new-build property with under-floor heating, which is well-insulated and has low fabric heat loss.
However, we also install hybrid systems, for example, where an air source heat pump and high-efficiency gas boiler are fitted. This helps to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions while providing a warm and comfortable home.
Q: How long will central heating installation take?
A: Installation times will vary from home to home and according to the type of heating. Below is an approximate guide:
- Traditional/combination boiler replacement and power flush: 1-2 days
- Boiler replacement, system upgrade & power flush: 1-3 days
- Upgrade existing traditional system to a combination system: 1-2 days
- Install complete new central heating system: 2-5 days (this will depend on the type of system, the number of radiators, and the size of the property)
- Install a new air source heat pump or hybrid system – 5 – 6 days
Q: What if there’s a problem with the system?
A: When your installation is complete you are given a unique reference number to quote in the unlikely event of a problem. All systems fitted by us carry a minimum comprehensive two-year warranty on all parts and labor (subject to terms and conditions).
Many manufacturers offer, five-year guarantees with some offering up to ten years, and you can also take out extended warranties. Existing pipework and radiators, for example, are not covered by the warranty, but if a problem arises we will endeavor to solve it for you.
I must say, I was left impressed!