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How does a traditional heating furnace work?

A traditional furnace uses a system ductwork throughout the building, moving air to the furnace to be warmed, and then sent back to the living spaces. Some of the newer furnaces recirculate the warmed air using blowers. A traditional furnace can be fueled by electricity, gas, oil, wood, or coal.

Boilers use either hot water or steam to heat a home.

A gas or oil furnace has a pilot light that warms a heat exchange unit, warms the air or water before it is circulated throughout the house. These systems have a flue to exhaust gases to the outside. Some oil furnaces have buried tanks to hold the fuel. If these leak, they represent an environmental hazard.

Electric furnaces use heating elements to warm the air.

Wood and coal furnaces burn fuel in a sealed fire-box and a heat exchanger holds the warmed air for delivery.
All of these furnaces typically have a thermostat that controls the temperature required based on the temperature of the room in which it is located.

How does an electric heat pump work?

Electric heat pumps move heat from one place to another. (They can also function as an air conditioner when the weather is warm.) Heat pumps extract het from outside air, from the ground, or surface water, or from the earth, often called a geothermal heat pump. Once the air is heated, it is sent through a system of vents and filters like a traditional forced air heating system.

How does radiant heat work?

Radiant heat comes in two types, either convection or hydronic (water). Hydronic water heat uses baseboards or radiant het in floors, walls, or ceilings where it is most needed. Radiant heat can be as effective as any form of heating. Its greatest advantage is its great level of comfort and uniform heating. No blowers are needed for these systems. There are no hot and cold spots. Most radiant heat is done when a building is being constructed, but there are companies who specialize in retrofitting. Once the coils are installed and connected, hot water or electricity will provide the heat that will then radiate throughout the living space. They are run either on electric power or use gas or propane as the fuel to heat the water. The hydronic or hot water radiant heat system includes a boiler that warms the circulating water.

What are space heaters?

Space heaters are usually portable heating systems; self-contained devices that are used to heat small enclosed spaces. Some are electric; some use halogen bulbs to produce heat, and others are fueled by gas or kerosene. Those powered by gas or kerosene should never be used inside a living space. They can be used to heat a garage or workshop but you must have venting due to the problem of carbon monoxide gas production. Electric space heaters are the most common ones used inside homes to supply additional heat to a small area.

Gas heaters can be freestanding or attached to a wall.

What is a heating system?

A home heating system is made up of a furnace, boiler, or other central heat generator that is fueled by oil, gas, electricity, wood, or coal. The heat is then distributed throughout the house. There are a few different kinds of heating systems; steam, hot water, forced air, and electric. They are all similar in that they are controlled by a thermostat or other control that measures the ambient temperature in a room and requests more heat when needed. The thermostat signals the heater to produce heat and then transfer it through ducts or pipes that will distribute it into a living space.

What kind of heating systems are available for use in homes and businesses?

There are traditional furnaces, electric heat pumps (geothermal heating systems), radiant baseboard heating systems, radiant floor or ceiling systems, and space heaters.