Forced Air
Forced air is the most commonplace heating system in place, especially in new construction in most parts of the country. Forced Air Heating heats air through a standard furnace using natural gas, propane, oil or electricity. The heated air is then pushed through ductwork throughout the house by a circulating fan.The main advantages to this type of heating system are many. The furnace, depending on size and energy source can create the highest efficiency for certain types of homes.
The unit also can accommodate a dual purpose in that it can also serve as the central source for air conditioning and ventilation as well - the only one of these heating systems that can do so. Forced air can also integrate such add-ons as filtration and humidification units.
Forced air systems can, however, have some drawbacks. The units generally require more maintenance than others. They also require an extensive system of ducts in even small homes. Ducts can take up space, alter designs and can be difficult to reach to clean and service. For small to medium homes, these units generally provide the highest efficiency at the lowest cost.
Forced Air Heat on Amazon
Forced Hot Air Furnaces : Troubleshooting and Repair
Amazon Price: $26.37 (as of 12/30/2009) 
Reddy Heater 155,000 BTU Kerosene Forced-Air Heater #R155D
Amazon Price: $487.07 (as of 12/30/2009)
Forced Air Heat
Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 12/30/2009)
Radiant Heat
One of the most popular new systems is radiant or ambient heat. Generally, it can come in the form of a hot water tube embedded in a floor or wall - although a radiant heating system can also refer to wood or coal stoves, fireplaces or other fuel-burning heating systems placed in the open.The advantages to radiant heat are many, but so are the disadvantages. In the case of tubing laid in the floor or wall, the heat is uniform and consistent throughout the home. Architectural design is not affected as it is an "invisible" heat source, allowing for wide design choices. However, if repairs are needed, the system poses severe problems with access and potential structural upheaval.
The heating cycle is slow, as well, so it is not recommended for spaces with rapid, repeating and extreme temperature changes. Ambient heat does not offer a ventilation or air conditioning option at all. Ambient heat offers a high installation cost and a potentially very high repair cost. But the boiler heating the system, if chosen wisely, can offer a very high efficiency factor.
Hot Water Radiant
While the system offers high efficiency at low installation cost, the structure can impede certain designs in homes. Repair is not usually a consideration. As with ambient or radiant heat, the choice of the boiler usually determines the efficiency of this particular style of home heating system.
Again, a separate air conditioning and ventilation unit is required.
Steam Radiant
Also similar to water radiant, the system can be very efficient when the proper type of boiler is used and powered by an appropriate fuel source which may include propane, oil, electricity or alternate energy. An air conditioning and ventilation system would be a separate system entirely.
Radiant Heat on Amazon
Radiant Floor Heating
Amazon Price: $28.35 (as of 12/30/2009)
Sengoku Heat Mate Portable Radiant Kerosene Heater 10,600 BTU , Beige #HMHR-1101
Amazon Price: $112.83 (as of 12/30/2009)
How to install a fireplace: Radiant heat, circulating hot air, free standing, masonry (Easi-bild home improvement library ; 674)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/30/2009)
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHPs) are unlike either Forced Air or Radiant heat entirely - and are perhaps the most exciting new technology offered in home heating systems. The concept of a GHP is to take heat or cold and to displace it by using long pipes running into the ground. Since the ground at the buried depth is normally a fairly consistent (and comfortable) temperature, the heat or cold is displaced, returning a comfortable temperature to the home.The advantages are enormous efficiencies and savings - in the range of upwards of 70% over other heating or cooling sources. However, the cost and construction can be prohibitive to achieve these efficiencies. Certain home sites may not be able to take advantage of this system, and maintenance can be extremely high.
Geothermal On Amazon
Geothermal Heat Pumps: A Guide for Planning and Installing
Amazon Price: $77.50 (as of 12/30/2009)
Tranquil Water Source Heatpump 5 TON Vertical Type - Left Hand Flow - Ground Source, Geothermal
Amazon Price: $2,854.00 (as of 12/30/2009)
Which Is Right For You?
Each system does offer advantages and disadvantages to each potential homeowner. Taking these all into consideration, particularly selection, maintenance and repair, as well as response time for service or an emergency should all be taken into consideration. To simplify the selection process, installation, operating, and maintenance costs can be combined into a life-cycle cost - the cost of ownership over a period of years.A recent study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency showed that geothermal systems in general have the lowest life-cycle cost of all systems available today. The study also shows that geothermal systems have the lowest impact on our environment. And consumers rate their comfort and satisfaction with geothermal systems higher than all others. While a higher initial investment is required, the investment is paid back through low energy bills, outstanding family safety and true comfort.
Read All About It
Solar Water Heating: A Comprehensive Guide to Solar Water and Space Heating Systems (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series)
Amazon Price: $17.96 (as of 12/30/2009)
Build Your Own Solar Heating System
Amazon Price: $18.95 (as of 12/30/2009)
The Complete Handbook of Solar Air Heating Systems
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 12/30/2009)
Other Lenses on Heating Systems
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Forced Air Heating Systems
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Most homes in America have forced-air heating systems, meaning systems where a type of fuel is converted into heat, then blown through the house using fans and a specially structured ventilation system. Forced air heating systems are the only heat d...
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Baseboard Hot Water Heating Systems
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Baseboard hot water heating systems use a combination of convection and radiation of heat powered by hot water heated by a boiler. The hot water is piped to baseboard units mounted along the walls of the room to be heated. The baseboard units are equ...
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Radiant Floor Heating Systems
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Radiant heating systems provide heat directly to the floor or to panels in the walls or ceiling of a house. Radiant heating systems depend primarily on the delivery of heat directly from the hot surface to the occupants and things in the room through...
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Gas Furnace Troubleshooting
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A gas furnace takes in cold air, runs it through an air filter to purify the air, heats the air with a gas burner, and distributes warm air throughout your house using a fan. The cooled air recycles back to the furnace through return air grilles and...
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Boiler Heating Systems
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A boiler heating system is used to create heat via hot water or steam, distributed throughout a home by the use of baseboard, radiant heat, or steam radiator heating systems. The boiler heating the water may be fueled by gas, propane, oil or electric...
Heating Systems
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