What is the Best Heating for Your Home?
Have you been looking into a new heating system for your home? Has it got you all hot and bothered just thinking about the different types of heating systems?
Upside Down has a big read, hot off the press, to help you decide what heating system is the best for your home.
What Type of Heating Systems are There?
Before crowning the best home heating system, we’re going to break down everything you need to know about the most common types.
Ducted Heating
Sick of having to meet somewhere in the middle with your partner when picking a temperature for the heater? Or maybe you’re sick of those unsightly wall-mounted units ruining the aesthetic of your room? Well, have we got a solution for you – ducted heating!
Also known as central heating, this system uses a fan to suck in external air. The air is heated with natural gas and then sent to warm your home through the ductwork. Heating can be done with either a gas furnace or a heat pump.
Air grilles in the room recirculate air back through the heating unit so it can be reused. This means that no extra external air is required and so a consistent temperature can be maintained in your home.
Ducted heating has a range of benefits:
- Discreet ductwork and vents
- One unit to heat the whole home
- Gas can be more cost-effective than electricity
- Temperature can be easily maintained
- Zoning allows for temperature control across different rooms
To top it off, you can have cooling capabilities installed on your ducted heater. This means you can use the same unit and ducts to heat and cool your home all year round!
Hydronic Heating
Hydronic heating also uses gas to heat your home. Water is heated by a central gas boiler and then distributed to panels and radiators in your home. The radiant heat from these evenly heats your home.
These are another whole-home heating solution. Compared to other gas heaters, hydronic heating is very energy efficient, meaning you save money. In addition, because it uses water to heat your home, you don’t need to worry about air contaminants making your family sick.
On the other hand, you now need to keep up regular maintenance to avoid water and gas leaks! If these are left unchecked for too long, they will not only damage your home but can make your family sick!
Split System Air Conditioner
Maybe you don’t want to commit to a heating system for the whole home. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Split systems, or ductless air conditioners, are great for both heating and cooling rooms.
These wall-mounted units are less costly upfront than whole-home heating solutions. They are comprised of two units – one inside and the other outside. A heat pump and a refrigerant are used to heat/cool the air in your home, so you can be comfortable every day of the year.
These units are great if you just want to control the temperature of a select room. They’re also great for those with allergies and asthma as they filter the air they use. They require regular maintenance, however, to ensure the filter doesn’t get clogged up and start spewing these contaminants into your room.
Space Heaters
What if you can’t install a split system? Or what if you want something portable? Space heaters might be the solution you’re looking for.
Space heaters come in so many variations:
- Electric heater
- Gas heater
- Panel heater
- Ceramic heater
- Oil filled heater
- Portable heater
Their small size and portability make these a very convenient option for many homes. Did you know that 45% of all heating-related fires are due to space heaters though? Don’t add to this statistic, and be sure you have it serviced regularly!
Gas Log Fires
Have you ever wanted a log fire to roast marshmallows around? While you can’t roast marshmallows, a gas log fire is about as close as you can get without lighting an actual fire in your home.
There are two types of gas log fires – freestanding and builtin. Freestanding radiate heat from all sides and can quickly heat a room. Builtin will take a little longer to heat your room, but don’t run the risk of being walked into and burning anyone!
Like any gas unit, you will need to make sure your gas log fire is well-maintained. Poorly maintained gas systems run the risk of creating potentially dangerous environments. A gas leak releases highly flammable gas into your home that could be set off with even the smallest of a spark. A carbon monoxide leak, however, is an odourless and colourless killer that you might not even notice until it’s started having an effect on you!
Wall Furnace
Wall furnaces sit in between single room and whole-home heating systems. They are capable of heating up to 2 rooms if a double-sideed unit is installed in the adjoining wall. These are a great option for a home looking to heat two rooms with just one unit. Wall furnaces run off of natural gas or LPG, and so are prone to all the negatives associated with a gas system as well.
What Size Heater Do I Need?
With the type of heating system you want in mind, the next decision is deciding what size best suits your needs. There is a range of factors you need to consider:
- Size of the area being heated
- How well your home is insulted
- Number and area of windows
- How effectively your curtains insulate
- The climate of where you live
- And much more!
On top of choosing a type of heater and considering your budget and environmental impact, this decision gets more and more complicated.
What is the Most Efficient Heating System for a House?
Gas has always reigned in Australia as a more efficient energy source, and this is still true in many areas. With gas prices on the rise and a limited supply available, this won’t necessarily be true in the future, however. In addition, electric heaters are becoming more and more efficient, and are better for the environment in many cases.
Which Heater is the Best?
Sorry to break it to you, but there isn’t one heating system that rises up as better than all the rest. In our experience, the best heating solution for your home is decided by considering all the factors we’ve explored above. It all comes down to where your preferences lie and what’s more important to you. Is that the ongoing running cost, or your impact on the environment?
If this is all making you feel a bit hot and flustered, it might be time to call in a qualified air conditioner technician. Upside Down knows heating like we know the back of our hand. We can help select the best heating solution for your home, so you can take a chill pill and leave the hard work to us.
Please note: This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.