When it comes to heating a home, there are various different methods that we use today. We’re not going to go into things like space heaters or wood fireplaces because, well let’s face it, they’re not that efficient and they don’t do a good enough job heating an entire home. Customers come to us for whole-house solutions that can keep a whole house warm and cozy all winter long in Cherry Hill, Tavistock, and Voorhees.
There are two main categories for heating. There’s forced-air heaters that use gas or electricity to heat the air of your home and push it through air ducts, and then there’s radiant heating, which uses water or electricity to radiate heat through floorboards, walls, and radiators. Each has its own set of perks and benefits, but be sure to call us for your forced-air or radiant heating services in Camden County.
Forced-Air Heating
Forced-air heating systems are the most common in America. Furnaces and heat pumps can do a great job at heating your home, and aside for air ducts in most cases, they don’t require that much of an investment. If you’re looking for an affordable yet efficient system that can get the job done, a forced-air heater will do the trick.
Furnaces
Furnaces come in two types, gas and electric. Gas furnaces are the most common, burning natural gas to create heat that is mixed with the air of your home. This allows for a home to be heated quickly and effectively even on the coldest days. Electric furnaces use electrical resistance to heat up the air, kind of like a space heater that’s designed for your entire home’s air.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are still technically forced-air heating systems, but they work very differently. They use refrigerant to move heat from one place to another, functioning as air conditioners as well as heating systems depending on your need.
Radiant Heating
Radiant heating is one of the oldest heating methods in existence. The ancient Romans used to use steam boilers to send hot water vapor through the walls of their homes. Radiant heat is a great option because it moves through objects and feels similar to the warmth of the sun. It can also go in strategic locations like your floorboards where it radiates upwards due to the natural convection current of heat!
Radiant heat is cozy, warm, and surprisingly efficient when compared to other methods of heating.
Hydronic
You can always assume that when a word starts with “hydro,” it probably has something to do with water. A hydronic heating system, or a boiler, uses heated water to radiate heat through water lines in your home that are placed in strategic locations. These water lines can move through radiators that send heat through the rest of the rooms in your house, or the water lines can be placed underneath your floorboards and in areas where it moves upwards into places you can feel.
Electric
Electric radiant heaters use coils that are placed in specific areas of your home that radiate heat. These systems are different from electric furnaces because they don’t heat the air in your home; they heat the home itself, sending heat through objects, doors, and hallways.
To have your radiant heating system fixed, or for a new heating unit installation, contact Ambient Comfort!