7 Types of Heating System Options for Your New Home

One of the most important decisions homeowners need to make when a home is being built concerns their heating system. Heat is an essential part of a comfortable home, and in certain climates, the heating system you choose can impact the way you feel in your new house. A heating system needs to be efficient, economical, and convenient to your family. Here are seven common types of heating systems used in homes around the country today.

1. Radiant Heat

Radiant heat has been around for a long time in various forms and is still commonly used in many houses built before World War II. The most popular type of radiant heat in older homes uses a hot water boiler heating system and radiators throughout the home. Radiant heat has also experienced a rebirth in the form of radiant floor heat. This type of heat is convenient if you want a heating system that isn’t as clunky and intrusive as radiators can be.

2. Baseboard Heating

Another possibility to keep your space warm is through baseboard heating. Baseboard heating systems can be powered by electricity or through a water heated boiler. It’s a popular heating solution for a smaller room that doesn’t get enough warmth from your main heating element. Sometimes, baseboard heating can be a budget-friendly system to install in new construction.  

3. Wood Stove Heat

Nothing is as cozy on a cold winter night than a nice, warm fireplace. It’s not realistic or cost-effective to have fireplaces positioned throughout your home and expect them to be your main source of heat. Instead, fireplaces and other wood-burning appliances, such as wood stoves or pellet stoves, can act as supplementary heat sources. Wood stoves are a good choice to add to a colder room, such as a basement or large living room.

4. Ductless Heating Systems

In some situations, it may not be feasible to put extensive ductwork throughout the walls and commit to a forced air heating system. Some homeowners have opted for a ductless heating solution in these cases. Ductless systems can provide both heating and air conditioning in large spaces and are also efficient and cost-effective. Ductless units are also a great solution for converting a porch into a sunroom and giving homeowners a convenient and affordable way to heat and cool the space.

5. Forced Air

In most modern homes, forced air is the option for heating and air conditioning. Typically, the home will have a central furnace as part of the system that heats up the air and pushes it through a series of ducts connected to all of the rooms. The warm air gets forced through the ducts and heats the home efficiently.

6. Heat Pump

With forced air units, there are some options homeowners can choose to customize for their system. Instead of a furnace, you can go for a heat pump. A few benefits of a heat pump include efficiency, flexibility, and consistency. Heat pumps give you the option of buying one appliance to take care of your heating and cooling, instead of opting for a furnace and an air conditioning unit.

7. Boilers

Lastly, your baseboard system or radiant heating system could also be powered by a boiler. A boiler provides heat through water. Once the water is sufficiently hot, it is distributed throughout the home to either radiators or the baseboards. Some people with boilers have heat through steam, and other people may have the hot water directly heating their spaces.

Taking time to choose the heating system for your home is a good idea to create the most comfortable and energy efficient space. This way, your new home will be the perfect spot for you and your family.  

Written by johnny