In the prehistoric days of the caveman, heating the home was a fairly simple affair. You simply collected wood, shaped it into a pile, and lit it. Then, to keep warm, you would sit as close to the fire as possible, since no duct system had yet been invented to convey the heat to other parts of your cave. Fortunately, home heating has come a long way since then, and there are now several options for you and your family to stay warm and toasty at night.
Considerations regarding your final choice of heating
I have lived in several different houses over the years, each with its own unique form of heating. Currently, my home in East York is fully heated with a new high-efficiency furnace; one powered by natural gas. Whether you’re buying a resale property or building your dream home from scratch, there are several considerations to keep in mind when choosing or modifying your heating choice.
1) Hardware cost factor. How much will be your choice to install initially? Are some home modifications necessary to accommodate your decision? (example: gas furnaces need ductwork; electric baseboard heat does not).
2) Cost of fuel. Furnaces run on fuel (oil, gas, electricity) and each has a distinctive cost. Can you pay the monthly bill with the chosen fuel?
3) Maintenance and durability. How much will your home heating selection require to keep your chosen unit running smoothly year after year? (example: furnace reliability)
4) Basement apartments. Heat rises, so if your entire house is heated by a single furnace, the upstairs will be much warmer than the basement, resulting in a cold tenant or irate in-law. Consider using a different delivery system so that both units are kept adequately heated (or air conditioned).
5) Indoor air quality. Most furnaces burn fossil fuels. This creates the possibility, if proper combustion does not occur or if there is not proper ventilation, for carbon monoxide buildup in your home. Naturally, these types of systems should be cleaned and checked annually for any problems, but if you’re concerned about this, you should use another system in your home, such as electric baseboard heating, which doesn’t emit potentially deadly carbon monoxide.
types of heating
There are three main types of heating that currently dominate the market, and each has its own strengths and some weaknesses.
Electric baseboard: This type of heating is relatively inexpensive to install initially, but can be prohibitively expensive to run. My family and I once lived in a house with electric baseboard heat, and to my chagrin, my water bills were astronomical. Basically, this form of heating is like having a heater in each and every room in your house. They are individually controlled so each room in your home can be set to a different temperature. This is a positive if different members of your family react to the cold differently.
Plus, since there are no ductwork involved, air and dust that can cause allergies aren’t dispersed throughout the home. The units themselves rarely need maintenance and can last for years. In addition to its operating cost, this system has a major disadvantage in that there are no ducts throughout the house, so it is not easy to install central air conditioning. A ductless system should be used; one that can typically cost around 30% more to install and operate. A less expensive way to cool select rooms (usually bedrooms) would be to install simple window cooling units. Also, this form of heating can often dry out a home and lead to headaches, dry throats, and dry skin. A separate humidifier would need to be purchased to bring much-needed moisture into your home.
Forced Air – This common central heating system uses heat that is generated in a single location (usually a furnace) and then distributes the heat throughout the house through a series of ducts. Initially it can be expensive to install depending on the type of oven you buy. High efficiency furnaces are becoming the norm throughout the construction industry. These units generally draw combustible air from outside the home. They also do not require a chimney since they vent directly to the outside. Typically, a furnace can last for more than 20 years with regular service and maintenance. Furnaces can be powered by gas, oil or electricity, and each fuel has its own market price.
It would be wise to do a cost breakdown to see which fuel best suits your situation. Remember, if you choose oil, you will need to purchase a storage tank for it, and this will add to your initial cost. One positive aspect of having a forced air heating system in your home is that the air conditioner can be easily installed since you already have the ducts to circulate the cold air. But, having that same conduit brings a negative. Dust, pet dander, and pollen enter the oven through cold return air and are then blown back into every room in your home, wreaking havoc for those with allergies or asthma. This is why it is imperative to clean or replace the furnace filter regularly. An added bonus to this form of home heating is that a humidifier can easily be installed directly into the furnace, adding much-needed moisture to the home on extremely cold winter days.
Radiators – This form of heating is probably the most noticeable in the home, simply because radiators are usually large, heavy, accordion-shaped units that protrude from the wall and take up precious floor space. Many older apartment buildings use this form of heating. Basically, there is a boiler in the basement that heats the water, which in turn travels through the house through a series of pipes to the radiator in each room. As with baseboard heating, no ductwork is used, so dust and pollen are not dispersed throughout the house. But often these pipes are wrapped in asbestos to help keep the water hot during its journey. If you suspect that your pipes are wrapped with this material, it would be wise to call a professional to discuss your options. Do not handle or remove any of the suspicious materials yourself.
As with electric baseboard heat, you’ll need to install ductless air conditioning or window units, as there are no ducts lining the home, adding to the overall cost. Also, you will need a separate humidifier as the air will dry out. However, the current generation of boilers is extremely efficient and takes up very little floor space. Again, with this type of system you still need to use a fuel source to heat your water, and this creates an ongoing monthly cost; one that should be factored into your budget.
Typically, here in Canada, our homes need heating for several months of the year. Therefore, it is prudent to always maintain the system you have and keep it up to date. By doing so, it means you won’t find yourself inadvertently left out in the cold.