The heating system in your home is responsible for keeping you and your family warm during the colder months. There are various heating systems, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. When it comes time to choose a new heating system or have heating repair Ashland, OR done on your existing system, it’s important to understand how they work and what services they need.
This article will provide an overview of home heating systems and each type’s maintenance and repair needs.
3 Common Types of Heating Systems
There are three main types of home heating systems: forced air, radiant, and baseboard. We will explain each below:
Forced Air Heating Systems
Forced air heating systems work by circulating warm air throughout your home using a network of ducts and vents. A furnace produces warm air, typically fueled by natural gas, propane, or electricity. The furnace heats the air, and a blower motor pushes the air through the ductwork. The blower motor plays a critical role in the performance of your unit. When it fails, a heating repair Ashland, OR must be immediately needed.
There are two types of forced air furnaces: single-stage and two-stage. Single-stage furnaces have only one setting, and they run at full capacity when they’re turned on. Two-stage furnaces have low and high settings, allowing them to operate at partial capacity when set to low and full capacity when set to high.
Benefits of Forced Air Heating Systems
Forced air heating systems offer several benefits, including:
Efficiency: Forced air systems are very efficient because they only heat the rooms that need to be heated.
Cost-effective: Forced air systems are also cost-effective because they make it easy to distribute heat throughout your home evenly.
Versatility: In addition to heating, forced air systems can also be used for cooling (with the help of an AC unit) and circulating fresh air throughout your home.
Cleanliness: Unlike some heating systems, forced air systems don’t rely on combustible materials, so they’re much cleaner.
Drawbacks of Forced Air Heating Systems
Here are the disadvantages of forced air heating systems:
Can’t Work Without a Duct: They require a network of ducts, which can be costly to install and can leak if not properly maintained
Emit CO Gas: The furnace is a potential source of carbon monoxide if it is not properly vented
Possible Health Issues: The air circulated through the ducts can be dusty and cause allergies or respiratory problems
Maintenance and Repair Needs of Forced Air Heating Systems
Like other heating systems, forced air systems need professional heating repair Ashland, OR once a year. The furnace should also be checked regularly for signs of wear and tear, and repaired or replaced as needed.
The ductwork should be inspected periodically for leaks and repaired as necessary. This will help improve the system’s efficiency and prevent dust and other allergens from circulating through the home.
A replacement is also a part of the service. Your heater does not last forever, so a new one will be needed if your current one is on its last leg or breaks down.
Radiant Heating Systems
Radiant heating systems work by providing heat directly to the floor or walls in a particular room. This system is very efficient because it eliminates the need to heat the entire house to maintain a comfortable temperature in just one room. There are two types of radiant heating systems – hydronic and electric.
Hydronic radiant heating systems use water that has been heated in a boiler to provide warmth. The hot water is then circulated through a series of pipes located beneath the floor or behind the panels on your walls. Electric radiant heating systems use electrical resistance coils to generate heat. These coils are then mounted beneath the floor or behind the wall panels.
The Benefits of Radiant Heating
You should consider installing a radiant heating system in your home for many reasons. The most significant benefits are the following:
Radiant heating systems are becoming increasingly popular in homes because they offer several benefits over other heating systems, such as forced-air furnaces. Some of the benefits of radiant heating systems include:
Increased Comfort: Radiant heating provides uniform and consistent heat, eliminating cold spots and drafts in a room. This makes radiant heated rooms feel more comfortable than rooms heated by forced-air furnaces, which can often create uneven temperatures and drafts.
Lower Operating Costs: Radiant heating systems have lower operating costs than forced-air furnaces because they are more efficient at converting energy into heat. In fact, studies have shown that radiant heating systems can be as much as 30% more efficient than furnaces.
Improved Indoor Air Quality: Because no ducts are involved with radiant heating systems, there is less opportunity for dust, pollen, and other allergens to circulate through the home. This can improve indoor air quality for people with allergies or asthma. Additionally, because there are no ducts involved with radiant heating, there is also less chance for mold to grow inside the home.
The Drawbacks of Radiant Heating
The disadvantages of radiant heating systems include:
Expensive: Radiant heating systems can be more costly to install than other heating systems because they require special materials and methods during installation or heating repair Ashland, OR.
Not Suitable for Every Room: Radiant heating is not suitable for every room in the house. For example, radiant heating would not be a good option for a room that has large windows because the heat would escape through the windows.
Inconsistent Heat: Radiant heating systems can sometimes create uneven temperatures in a room because the heat is not evenly distributed. This can be remedied by using a thermostat to control the temperature in the room, but this will also increase the operating costs of the radiant heating system.
Maintenance and Repair Needs of Radiant Heating Systems
Radiant heaters require little maintenance and are typically very reliable. However, like any other type of heating system, they will eventually need heating repair Ashland, OR. The most common problems with radiant heating systems include:
Leaks: Leaks can occur in the pipes or tubing of a hydronic radiant heating system. These leaks can be difficult to find and repair, so it is important to have a professional check your system regularly for leaks or perform heating repair Ashland, OR.
Electrical Problems: Radiant heating systems that use electrical resistance coils can experience problems with the coils or wiring. These problems can be dangerous and should be repaired by a qualified electrician.
Thermostat Issues: The thermostat is an important part of any radiant heating system, and problems with the thermostat can cause the system to overheat or not heat the room evenly. If you experience problems with your radiant heating system, it is important to have a qualified technician check the thermostat and make any necessary heating repair Ashland, OR.
Boilers
Boilers work by heating water and circulating it throughout a home or office. A gas or oil-fired burner typically heats the water. Electric boilers are also available, but they are less common. Once the water is heated, it is circulated through a system of pipes and radiators. The heat from the water warms the air in the room, and the rooms are kept at a comfortable temperature.
Benefits of Boilers
There are several benefits of boiler systems, including the following:
Good for Large Spaces: Boilers can heat multiple rooms at once, making them ideal for larger homes or offices.
Even Heating: Boilers circulate heat more evenly than other types of heating systems, such as forced-air furnaces. This results in more consistent temperatures from room to room.
Quiet Operation: Boiler systems are quiet and typically do not require much maintenance or heating repair Ashland, OR.
Cost-Effective: Some models of boilers can use alternative fuels such as wood or pellet to operate, which can be less expensive than traditional fossil fuels.
Drawbacks of Boilers
There are some drawbacks to boiler systems, as well. These include:
Expensive Installation: Boiler systems can be costly to install, particularly if you do not already have the necessary piping in place.
Need More Space: Boilers require more space than other heating systems because they typically have large tanks or cylinders.
Takes Longer to Heat a Room: Boilers can take longer to heat up than other heating systems, so you may have to wait a while for the room to reach the desired temperature.
Maintenance and Repair Needs for Boilers
Boilers require less maintenance than other heating systems, but they will eventually need heating repair Ashland, OR. Some of the services they need are flushing the system to remove any sediment buildup, checking the burner for proper operation, inspecting the pipes and radiators for leaks, and testing the pressure relief valve to ensure it is working properly.
Best Heating Contractor in Southern Oregon
Lam-Air Heating & Air Conditioning is the best heating contractor in Southern Oregon. We are a family-owned and operated business and offer a wide range of services, including installation, repair, and maintenance of all types of heating systems. Our qualified technicians are committed to providing quality service and customer satisfaction. Contact us today at (541) 287-7597 to schedule a free consultation.