Forced-Air Heating
Forced-air heating is one of the most traditional ways to heat a home. It’s usually the default system used to heat homes because of how long it has been around, and because of how well it works. Forced-air heating systems are essentially a closed loop of circulating air. The colder air is drawn into the furnace, heated by the burner in the furnace, and then pushed out into the home to heat the rooms. One of the reasons forced-air systems are desired by homeowners is because the closed loop of air allows the air to be filtered and can improve the quality of air inside the home. This system also allows for a humidifier to be installed into some furnaces to help reduce the problems that can come with dry heat from the air that the furnace produces.
Another great advantage of a forced-air heating system is that the same ductwork can also be used for air conditioning in the warm months. Using the same system for both types of air can save money during installation. Some of the disadvantages include the leaking of air because of the air pressure that the furnace creates, and the accumulation of heat at high areas in rooms where it isn’t as useful and can go to waste.
Radiant Floor Heating
Radiant floor heating is a great option for heating a home. In this kind of heating, water is boiled and then circulated and pumped through narrow tubes. These tubes are housed in concrete slabs, or can even be placed underneath wood flooring. The heat from the boiling water rises and warms the room from the floor. There are also systems that use electric wires instead of water to create heat.
Homeowners generally like radiant floor heating because it not only heats the air well, but it heats the floor, too. These systems also lose a lot less heat because the heat begins at the floor level and doesn’t accumulate in high areas of the room. There is also the benefit of these systems being silent and not circulating dust or other allergens. Some people don’t like radiant floor heating because it does require a different system than air conditioning, and it can be expensive to install. It also isn’t as instantly comforting, because hot air can’t be quickly circulated to warm a house as it can with a forced-air system.
It can be difficult to make expensive, long-term decisions about the heat system to install in a home, but knowing the pros and cons of each option can help. There are a lot of professionals that can also help with these decisions. One should search for the best heating and air conditioning in St Paul, or any other area, to find a retailer who carries different options for heating.