About Heating Systems

Although there are numerous manufacturers of heating systems, there are only a handful of heating methods that all heating systems use. All heating systems can be categorized under the following: electrical, gas, propane, oil, wood, and new alternative methods such as solar.

Types

Electrical heating systems, which are the most prevalent, include both zonal and central systems. Zonal systems are heating systems that have thermostats in each room. Examples are baseboard and wall heaters. These heating systems are known to be the least economic of the electrical heating methods, but their relatively low cost to install often make them a favorite.
Central electrical heating systems have a central thermostat and often include air conditioning. Examples of central electrical heating systems include furnaces and heat pumps.
Gas heat is an option that doesn't rely on electricity. Gas is piped directly to the home, so to be economical, gas should already be established in the neighborhood. Gas furnaces also offer zonal and central systems, but they are typically still maintained from one thermostat in the home.
Less popular heating methods include oil, propane and wood. At one time, these methods were the most popular and they are still used in many older homes.
Newer alternative heating systems, such as solar, allow solar heat to be collected and transferred to the home as needed. Solar heating is a clean and eco-friendly heating system.

Features

Electrical, gas, and solar heating systems are incredibly dynamic. Thermostats can be adjusted to maintain a home's heat, change temperatures during different parts of the day, and even "turn off" rooms that are not in use from a central thermostat.

Considerations

Electric zonal heating systems are known to be the least economic heating method, but their relatively low cost to install often make them a favorite. A person's preference will determine the type of system, such as electrical versus gas, and the cost of maintaining each system should be considered.
When considering a solar heating system, do the math. Solar heating systems tend to be more costly at the time of installation, but the higher cost is easily recouped in future heating bills.

Time Frame

While oil or propane heat is common in homes from the 1900s or earlier, newer homes do not use these heating systems. Many homeowners convert oil or propane heating systems to a contemporary method. While electrical and gas heating systems seam to be the most prevalent, many homeowners are turning to natural sources such as solar.

Potential

The U.S. Department of Energy expects the buildings of the future to rely on solar heat and use zero nonrenewable energy. Perhaps a long way off, but as renewable resources become scarce, alternative heating methods continue to grow in popularity, and could eventually become a necessity.