10 types of home heating systems you should know about (2023)

When temperatures drop, it's easy to turn on the thermostat to keep the house warm. Choosing the right heating system can lighten your thermostat and help save energy. All heating systems have a common goal: to transfer heat to environments in order to maintain a pleasant and comfortable environment.

Some homes have more than one heating system, especially if they have a basement or extra room heated by a different system than the rest of the house. Here are the 10 types of heating systems you as a homeowner (or potential homeowner) should know about.

1. Oven

Forced air distribution systems are by far the most common type of home heating system. They use a stove with a fan that provides heated and conditioned air to the various rooms of the house through a network of ducts. Since forced air systems share the same fan and ductwork as the air conditioner, they can also be used during the summer months.

• fuel source: Natural gas, propane, oil or electricity
• advantage: Convection ovens combine cooling and heating functions in one system
• Disadvantage: Gas ovens may present a risk of fire, explosion, or carbon monoxide poisoning.

2. Kessel

Older homes and apartments may have traditional boiler and radiator systems. These use a central boiler that circulates steam or water through pipes to radiator units throughout the home. This is better for providing zoned heating and cooling, but not as efficient for heating larger areas of the house at once.

• fuel source: Natural gas, propane, heating oil, biodiesel blends or electricity
• advantage: Provides comfortable heat that does not dry out the air like other heating systems
• Disadvantage: Boiler systems cannot be combined with air conditioning for a year-round HVAC system

3. Heat pump

Heat pumps are the latest technology in domestic heating. They use a system similar to an air conditioner, as they extract heat from the air and release it into the house through an indoor air conditioner. A popular heat pump system is known as a mini-split or ductless heating system.

This system uses a small outdoor compressor unit and indoor air conditioning units that can be placed in different rooms of the house. They are a flexible addition as they can be switched to air conditioning in the summer months.

• fuel source: electricity or natural gas
• advantage: No ductwork required and wall mounted units allow for precise temperature control in any space
• Disadvantage: Not efficient in cold climates

4. Bodenstrahler

Radiant systems ensure uniform heat throughout the home. Most underfloor heating systems use plastic water hoses on concrete slab floors or on the underside of hardwood floors. They are very quiet compared to other home heaters. There are also underfloor heating systems that use electrical wiring to work with ceramic or stone materials.

Though slow to heat up and adapt to changes in temperature, underfloor heating systems are energy efficient and provide thermal comfort to every inch of the home.

• fuel sources: Natural gas, propane, electricity or solar hot water systems
• advantage: Radiant systems provide even, consistent, comfortable heat throughout the home
• Disadvantage: When maintenance issues arise, the hidden plumbing system is difficult to access and may require floor removal

5. Electrical resistance

Electric resistance heaters or electric space heaters are not used as the main home heating system because of the high cost of electricity. However, they make good supplemental heating for home offices, basements, seasonal rooms, and apartments without other heating systems.

Electric heaters are easy to install and relatively inexpensive. They are usually portable, so they can be easily carried from room to room. They also have no moving parts and require virtually no maintenance, ductwork, ventilation equipment or other equipment.

• fuel source: electricity
• advantage: Electrical resistance systems are incredibly versatile and can be installed virtually anywhere
• Disadvantage: They consume a lot of electricity and can significantly increase energy costs

6. Baseboard heater

Hot water baseboard heating systems, also known as hydronic systems, are a modern form of radiant heat that can be highly efficient. Using a central boiler, these systems heat water that circulates through a piping system to low-profile baseboard heaters. These are updated versions of the traditional vertical radiator system. They help heated air out of the baseboard unit while pushing cool air towards the unit for heating.

• fuel source: Natural gas, propane, heating oil or electricity
• advantage: Hydronic systems provide precise temperature control mechanisms
• Disadvantage: Boiler and hot water systems cannot be combined with air conditioning

7. Electric space heater

Electric heaters, also known as portable or plug-in heaters, can be affordable for homeowners who don't live in cold climates. These are excellent temporary solutions that can provide targeted, controlled heat within minutes of being connected to a power source.

Electric heaters are filled with oil and convert electricity directly into heat, similar to how a toaster oven works. Some modern electric heaters also have cooling fans that can be used on warmer days, making them an excellent choice for studios, home offices, basements and smaller spaces.

• fuel source: electricity
• advantage: These heating systems can provide an instant source of heat
• Disadvantage: Your systems do not heat a room or entire house

8. Active solar heating

A more modern home heating system, active solar heating, is usedsolar energyto heat a liquid and transfer the solar heat directly to the interior or a storage system for later use. These are usually complemented by surface heating, boilers or heat pumps. However, active solar heaters can distribute heat through the floor, hot water baseboards, or a central air circulation system.

Unfortunately, active solar systems still rely on other home heating systems to be 100% efficient.

• fuel source: Solar energy
• advantage: A greener approach to heating a home
• Disadvantage: Active solar systems still rely on traditional heating systems to function

9. Hybrid heating

Hybrid heating systems combine the energy efficiency of a heat pump system with the performance of a gas heater. Most of the time, the heat pump works at full power to heat the house. In extreme weather conditions, the oven complements the system to reach the desired temperatures.

As both systems complement each other, there is significantly less stress on each system, which means fewer repairs and replacements.

• fuel source: Natural gas and electricity
• advantage: Hybrid systems offer a complete heating solution that works in extreme temperatures
• Disadvantage: The heat pump system requires regular maintenance and maintenance every two years

10. Gravitational Air Furnace

A modern version of the traditional furnace heating system, gravity air furnaces distribute air through ducts. However, instead of forcing air through a fan, gravity air furnace systems cause hot air to rise and cold air to sink. A stove in the basement warms the air that rises through the doors to the bedrooms, and the fresh air returns to the stove through another cold air recirculation system.

• fuel source: Natural gas, propane, oil or electricity
• advantage: This system has virtually no moving parts and therefore requires little maintenance
• Disadvantage: Adjusting the temperature takes some time because the system works with simple convection currents

final result

Understanding the various types of heating systems for your home can help you make the best decisions about how to heat your home or which system to prefer when looking for a home. Knowing which system works best for you can save you time and money later on.