Air conditioning (main) : Heating & Cooling articles : Choosing a heating system
Choosing a Heating System
A good heating system is essential for surviving winter in a cold climate. But with so many options on the market today, how do you know which heating system is right for you? Here are some of the things you'll need to consider when heating your home.
Fuel types
Consider the fuel available in your area. Are you connected to the natural gas supply? Do you have access to free or cheap firewood? Does your house get enough sun to make solar heating a viable option?
|
 |
Consider the climate
You need heating 24 hours a day in very cold climates, but areas with milder winters only need a few hours of heat in the evenings, so a cheap electric model might do the trick.
If your area has a big difference between summer and winter temperatures, you might want to consider a heating system that also cools in summer, like a reverse cycle air conditioner.
How much are you heating?
Do you need to heat your entire house? Then central or radiant floor heating might be your answer. If you only need to warm a single room at a time, you might get away with a portable model.
Buying a heater that is too small will leave you with a huge energy bill. Too large, and your house might feel like a sauna!
Think about your house itself
If you're building a home, then now is the time to put in central or under-floor heating. The costs and effort involved in retrofitting a large heating system in an existing home can be large.
Think about things like insulation, curtains and blinds, the size of your windows, ventilation and any draughts. Fixing problems in these areas first might let you get away with a less powerful heating system.
Consider the costs
Look at both the initial costs and running costs over time. While some heating systems, like hydronic or geothermal cost a lot to set up, they will save you money in the long run.
Get advice on heating systems from professional heating specialists.
Click here for quotes from service providers
|
