Heating Systems : How Do They Work?

By vwaring, on June 28th, 2010

There are a number of different heating systems that are used throughout homes across the world, and they al work in slightly different ways. Heating systems work by using a commodity as fuel for it, and the most common ones are electricity, gas and oil. With gas and oil heating systems, you can break it down into the forced water and forced air system categories aswell.

Forced Water Systems

This sort of system can be found in gas or oil burning heating systems, and works by water being heated up in the boiler and the being forced around the house through copper pipes to radiators which then heat up the rooms. This method is slower in heating up a room compared to a forced air system, but it is more efficient as once the radiators are up to temperature, they will retain their heat for long periods of time meaning the boiler can be turned off and heat can still be delivered.

Forced Air Systems

This heating system can also be found in gas or oil burning systems, and works by air being heated by a boiler and then being pushed through ducts within the walls of the home. This hot air is then delivered into the rooms through vents that could be on the floor, the walls or on the ceiling. This method is the fastest way to heat up a room, however it is also less efficient as the boiler needs to be kept on for longer periods than forced water heating systems.

Gas & Oil Heating Systems

These two heating systems are very similar, and in both cases the heat generation begins with a furnace or a boiler. Most heating systems work on a thermostat system, that monitors the temperature of certain rooms or the house in general. If the thermostat reads a lower temperature in the house than it is set at, then the boiler/furnace will kick in and will burn gas or oil to heat up either the air or water, depending on the type of heating system. This will then travel either through the pipes or ducts and deliver the heat to the rooms. As soon as the desired temperature has been reached, the boiler will switch itself off. This system is very efficient and is probably the best type of heating system available

Electric Heating Systems

This type of system isn’t quite as efficient as gas or oil burning heating systems, but they are becoming more popular as the technology is beginning to catch up. Electric heating systems are generally easier to install and are lot less expensive, as there is no need for a furnace or boiler, and no need for any pipes or ducting to run around the house. They work by heaters in the room that are usually fixed to the walls being wired up to the mains electric supply, and they too work on a thermostat system. When heat needs to be generated electricity will be passed through coils inside the heaters which will then radiate and heat up the rooms.

Ultimately, all these heating systems work in slightly different ways to deliver the same result of heat and warmth within the home.

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Heating Systems : How Do They Work?

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