There are different types of central home heating systems: Forced Warm Air Heating and Hydronic Heating, which uses steam or hot water. Whether you are considering the installation of a complete new system or are just replacing a component of your present system, it is a good idea to become familiar with each system and the different types of fuel available.
To provide the most comfort and value, a furnace must be sized properly for the house in which it is to be installed. An oversized unit will cycle frequently, causing great variations in room temperature. An undersized unit may not provide sufficient heat to make your home comfortable.
• FORCED WARM AIR HEAT: Forced air ducted heat uses a blower in conjunction with a ductwork system to circulate warm air throughout the home. A blower pushes heated air through the ductwork into the various rooms through registers or diffusers. As the air cools off it drops and moves to the return air grilles and is pulled back to the blower by way of the return air ductwork. The furnace then heats the air and the cycle is repeated.
• HYDRONIC HEAT (Hot water or steam): In a hydronic system, a boiler heats water (to steam in a steam system), and the hot water circulates throughout the home through pipes. The boiler supplies hot water (or steam) to radiators located throughout the home. A separate pipe returns the cooled water back to the boiler. Usually a circulating pump is used to push the water throughout the piping system.
There are three types of radiators available for hydronic heat systems:
• VERTICAL TUBE - CAST IRON TYPE: The vertical tube is typically installed standing on the floor.
• BASEBOARD RADIATORS: These radiators can be cast iron or copper tube; the latter having thin metal "fins." They are typically located at floor level against the outside wall.
• CONVECTOR RADIATORS: These also have finned tubing enclosed in a rectangular box, usually metal. Air circulates up through the floor level through the tubing and then flows out the top into the room. Some convector systems use a fan to force the heat out of the convector.
• FURNACES AND BOILERS: Both of these are available in gas, oil and electric. Generally, air conditioning systems (a/c) used with the furnace are electric, although, in some areas, gas a/c units are available. Package units in various combinations (gas heat/electric cool; electric heat/electric cool; gas heat/gas cool) are available but are used more typically for commercial applications.
