With so many heating systems out there, you may not know which type of heating system you have in your home or what type of heating may be right for you. We’re here to help, by going through many of the different types of heating systems.

Ductless Mini-Split System (Multi-Room)

This system is ideal for older homes that may not have the space for adequate ductwork or room additions where a duct isn’t able to be installed. While most systems move air through the ducts in your home, this type of system uses individual heaters and coolers for each room in your home. Usually, four of these can be attached to a central compressor that uses less work to heat the areas in your home. It’s a great energy saver and easy to install, and customers like the many different design choices available.

Furnace (Forced Air Distribution System)

A forced-air distribution system takes the heat and uses a fan, or blower, to distribute it around the home through the ducts. You can easily adjust the flow of air in a room by opening and closing the ducts. It’s an effective way to heat your home, The temperature of the heat is controlled by your thermostat.

Boiler (Radiator distribution system)

This type of system is one of the oldest but is still used today because it can heat your home efficiently. It heats water, then draws that steam from the water and combines with the air in your home to heat it. Radiators are made of metal because metal is a good conductor of heat. In addition, the radiators are often coiled to get the distribution to the air faster. However, because they are made of metal, radiators can often get very hot to the touch and require a lot of room around them.

Heat Pump

A heat pump uses a small amount of energy to transfer heat from one source to another. They use the air to transfer heat and run it through the ductwork. They are incredibly energy-efficient and can help save on heating costs, plus they can work without having to buy separate systems to heat and cool your home.

Hybrid Heating

A Hybrid heating system uses both a heat pump and a combustible furnace. When the heat pump is struggling in colder temperatures, the combustible furnace takes over. Although it is more expensive upfront, this type of system can save money on your energy bills (up to 50%) and generally pays for itself in a few years.

Ductless Mini-Splits (Single Room)

Unlike the ductless mini-split system, these units don’t attach to a compressor. Instead, each one in your home runs independently of the other. Since there is no compressor, a unit that breaks or needs repair is just that unit. They are independent of each other.

Radiant Heating

Radiant heating uses coils on the floor to distribute heat using infrared radiation. These coils can use electricity or water to heat the home. Electric radiant heating is often just used in one or two rooms. Radiant heating, while energy-efficient, is very costly and can be difficult to install in pre-existing homes because it involves tearing up the floor. Electric radiant heat is usually used in bathrooms. People with allergies tend to prefer this type of heating because it comes from the floor, walls, or ceiling and not through the air.

Baseboard Heating

Baseboard heating is another type of heating that doesn’t use ductwork. The process uses convection heat to heat the room by heating the coils. The hot air then comes out into the room. Baseboard heating isn’t very efficient for heating the whole house but is good for rooms that don’t get enough heat. They do draw a lot of electricity and can be expensive if used for long periods.

Furnace

A furnace uses natural gas, fuel oil, or electricity to heat your home. It blows warm air through your registers or grills. It’s also called a forced warm-air distribution system or ducted warm-air system.

No matter what type of heating system you have in your home, we can help. We serve Laurel, MD, and the surrounding areas such as Bethesda, Burtonsville, Silver Spring and so much more! If it needs to be repaired or replaced, make an appointment with us today!

Click here for our complete guide to heating and cooling your home.