Best & Most Efficient Types Of Home Heating Systems And Their Comparison

Heating is one of the main components of a modern, comfortable house. You should take into account many factors when choosing a system or a type of home heating:

• how it provides heat for a private home or cottage;
• the equipment cost and system installation;
• the cost of operation;
• the availability of fuel, as well as all positive and negative aspects.

It is worth understanding the features of different systems before answering the question, “What is the best heating for a private home?”. The main criteria of choice are:

• greatest heat output at the smallest costs;
• safety;
• convenience.

In the article, we will discuss the classification of heating systems. And also, you will be able to analyze the pros and cons of each type. Hopefully, it helps you decide the best heating for the home.

What Types of Heaters Are Available for Homes?

There are four main types of heaters:

• Water;
• Steam;
• Air;
• Stove.

Let’s consider each of them in detail. 

Name and description	Pros	Cons
The most common type of heating in a private home is water heating. Water or antifreeze, heated to 40-95 °C, circulates in a closed loop at different ends of the house rooms.  The liquid cools down and enters the radiators, releasing heat.  After which, the circulation pumps bring the liquid back to the boiler.  An expansion tank controls the pressure in closed-water heating systems.  It receives the excess liquid that has increased in volume when heated.	Advantages of water heating source for homes: simplicity and reliability due to the small number of elements;long service life of steel heating pipes (up to 25 years).	Disadvantages: cleaning and maintenance of radiators;requirements for the composition of the coolant;the possibility of liquid freezing;damage to the pipeline at freezing temperatures if the system stops working.
Steam heating is like the principle of water heating.  Since it is heat that circulates, not liquid and hot steam.  Once in the radiators, it condenses and is taken by the pump back to the boiler.	The main advantage of steam heating options for homes  is rapid heating.  The heat output of steam during condensation is higher than that of water during cooling.	But there are also disadvantages: heating radiators up to 130 °C. It means the risk of burning. But you can eliminate this disadvantage by installing special grids;time-consuming installation;noise when filling the circuits with steam;lack of possibility to regulate the temperature smoothly.
Another type of heating is gaining popularity now. It is air heating.  We consider it as one of the best home heating systems. A fan supplies the heated air through ducts in the rooms.   After cooling down, the air is returned to the heat exchanger through return ducts.  After which, the cycle repeats. A thermostat maintains the temperature in the house.	The advantages of air heating in a private home: Availability of heat transfer fluid and fast heating;There is no risk of burning on radiators and pipe leakage;The possibility of creating isolated ventilation in the house.	Disadvantages: High installation cost;Complicated design and installation;Noise and drafts;Dry air.
Stove heating is suitable for country houses and private houses.  As it often serves as extra heating. It seems to be the most efficient home heating among all systems.  Pellets heat stoves and fireplaces. You can use: fuel pellets from wood products;firewood;wood waste;coal.	The advantages of this type of heating are: Simplicity;Versatility;The possibility of using the stove for cooking.	Disadvantages are: Complicated maintenance. It is necessary to clean the boiler from the combustion products and remove soot from the pipes;Occurrence of smoke.

What Are the Best Home Heating Systems?

How to improve the heating system’s performance and make its maintenance more comfortable? It is necessary to know new trends and developments in the field of heating to solve this problem. All modern heating systems of private houses should be convenient. Also it should have optimal performance. Below, you can see a comparison of home heating systems. 

Heat Pump Is the Best Option for Alternative Heating of Houses or Offices

The heat pump helps to use the free thermal energy of:

• Water;
• Soil;
• Sun;
• Air. 

It turns them into helpful heat for heating rooms. In summer, the system can work in reverse, that is, to cool the air and provide a pleasant microclimate. Below, you can read about the disadvantages and advantages.

Pros:

• Convenience;
• Low operating costs;
• Long service life. 

Cons:

• Initial investment;
• Electricity dependence.

Heat pumps are “soil-water” or “air-water,” respectively. As it draws energy from the soil or air. Air-to-water models are universal, and their installation is cheaper. You can install them near the house, on the roof, in apartments, and offices. 

They can reuse the heat that comes from the room, benefiting from heat loss. In case of moving, you can quickly assemble and reinstall this type of home heating in a new place. But in winter, they still lose efficiency. 

So it is advisable to have another heat source in reserve for this case. We recommend you check the characteristics of the building. So that the heat pump has enough power to heat the required area. But it does not burden the user with unnecessary energy costs.

Solid Fuel Boilers Are a Universal Method of Home Heating

A solid fuel boiler is equipment made of cast iron or steel with a combustion chamber. It can provide heat to large areas. device works on: 

• Coal;
• Briquettes;
• Pellets (granules);
• Firewood. 

Single-circuit boilers are convenient to use in commercial and industrial facilities. Since it is possible to use industrial waste, paper, etc., as fuel. You can also use double-circuit devices for domestic hot water supply.

Pros:

• Use of renewable resources (Firewood, Pellets);
• Low operating costs. 

Cons:

• This heating option for the home needs constant maintenance and cleaning. Also, you have to monitor firewood’s quality; 
• It is necessary to check that there is fuel in the boiler constantly. You need to do it without a buffer tank or a large tank for pallets;
• The need for a separate boiler room and firewood storage.

Solid fuel boilers quickly pay for their value. They can work without electricity, and you can use it autonomously. And the cost of solid fuel is much lower than gas prices.

Gas Boilers Are Simple, Compact, Efficient Devices

According to the installation method, gas boilers can be:

1. floor;
2. or wall-mounted. 

The second heating option for homes is more suitable for small buildings. We call gas boilers only for heating single-circuit. Double-circuit models can also provide the home with hot water. Gas boilers are straightforward to operate. As they ideally give off heat and can heat large rooms.

Pros:

• Сonvenience;
• Long service life. 

Cons:

• Dependence on gas and its quality;
• High cost of gas connection;
• Although the probability is very low, it is still explosive.

Most domestic gas boilers need a coaxial chimney. In most new buildings, you can see it built in. In other cases, you will have to make it during the installation of the home boiler room itself. This type is one of the most efficient home heating systems. Because the gas unit is the most convenient and profitable due to its:

• high efficiency;
• simple installation;
• ability to solve two problems in one fell swoop: heat and hot water in the house.

Underfloor Heating Is an Effective Innovation

Everyone knows a lot about electric floors, so this type of home heating is in fifth place in the rating. But it is ahead of all other heat transfer systems in:

• Convenience;
• Efficiency;
• Safety;
• Durability.

It has every chance to move to the first lines of the top best heating systems. 

Pros:

• It is comfortable to operate. You just need to turn it on, and the floor quickly heats the room to the desired temperature;
• Electric floor heating is easy to install: less complex components in the design.

Cons:

• You need a concrete screed for water heating. You also can mount electric on glue under the tile.
• You can put it in an ordinary apartment, but the load on the network will increase.
• The screed will add extra weight and height to the floor. 

There are two types of electric floors:

• Water-electric floor fits perfectly into the project of a private house. It combines the relative ease of installation with the economy of operation. The latter indicator is easy to measure in light bills. 
• Electric underfloor heating is different in that it does not need a collector unit or a pump. The rest of the heating sources for homes  are very like water floor heating.

Ceramic Panels Are a Beautiful Heating Device

The main feature of ceramic heaters is a combination of three principles of heating: 

1. the home heating coming from hot stones;
2. natural convection;
3. soft infrared radiation that envelops objects in the vicinity with warmth.

Ceramic panels can heat a house or office. You can use them as an additional heat source. 

Pros:

• Easy to operate: thermostat and two buttons to turn on;
• Possibility to put the device at full and half power;
• Energy savings compared to other household appliances;
• The efficiency of ceramic panels is the highest compared to other heating options;
• It does not dry the air, because the heating element does not directly contact with oxygen.

Cons:

• This type of home heating is often fragile and heavy construction. It is better to mount it on the wall immediately and not move it around the house;
• It has enormous dimensions. If we compare it with similar models of other household appliances’ heating power.

The design of the front side is suitable for any interior. And due to economy, the heating element, hidden in a ceramic casing, has no equal. The panel’s surface remains warm long after disconnection from the network.

Electric Convectors Are Additional Heating Options for the Home

Electric convectors are mobile, and extremely easy to operate. Also, they are inexpensive, so they deserve widespread use. You can mount them on the wall, attach legs, and transfer them to any room corner. In the meantime, let’s see why else they are so popular.

Pros:

• Cost. The price of electric convectors is the most affordable. If we compare it to other heating devices;
• Ease of operation. It is enough to plug the heater into an outlet, and it is already working;
• Fast heating of the room. In half an hour, the heating source will bring the temperature for homes to a comfortable level;
• Safety. The devices give protection from drops on the heating element. It allows you to mount convectors even in bathrooms. Many models are also protected from working in an overturned state;
• Economy. Convectors with a motion sensor will automatically turn off if no one is in the room. 

Cons:

• Energy consumption; 
• It dries the air; 
• It takes a lot of places. You have to look for this place on the balcony or in the pantry. 

In comparison to other home heating systems, convectors are good because you can move them around the house as you like. They efficiently process the used electricity into heat. You can place modern models in children’s rooms. Because rounded corners distinguish them. The front panel’s neat appearance and variety of designs are a great addition.

Infrared Heaters Are Efficient and Economical Heating

It means using exceptionally long (about 10 microns) waves that are safe for health. And do not leave burns on contact with the skin. The thermal energy given off by the device is similar to the rays of the sun. This heating option for the home  heats objects immediately. Then it gives off its heat into the air.

Pros: 

• Heats objects, not air (practical when it is impossible to heat the room by heating the air);
• Does not dry the air;
• Economically consumes electricity;
• Quickly warms the room to the desired temperature;
• Easy to install and very mobile;
• Fireproof. 

Cons: 

• Energy consumption.

IR heaters are diverse installation methods. So choosing the most effective model for each case is easy. The reflector or infrared heater is also suitable for outdoor installation. For example, you can use it to provide heat in the gazebo or on the terrace in the evening. The models of one of the best home heating systems available on the market differ in technical parameters. But they are all inexpensive, high-quality, and economical.

Fan Heaters Are a Quick Way to Heat the Room

Small fan heaters  you need for more room heating. They are inexpensive, quickly warm the room, and distribute the air in four directions. Even more popular industrial models for heating workshops, sports complexes, greenhouses, or supermarkets. These types of heaters for homes are also suitable for intensive drying of walls. You can use it during repair or construction.

Pros:

• They can heat large areas;
• Water fan heaters can increase the energy efficiency of the heating system.

Cons:

• The air constantly blows, and this noise can sometimes be annoying;
• High energy consumption in electric fan heaters;
• Over time, dust can settle on the railing on the front side and spread around the room as you turn.

Fan heaters are necessarily provided with a thermostat and overheating protection. It ensures high fire safety. Water fan heaters are indispensable in:

• warehouses;
• car washes;
• wherever you need a powerful heat source. 

They are distinguished from conventional heaters by their high efficiency and lower noise level. 

Electric Fireplaces Are the Most Efficient Home Heating Systems

You can look at the fire forever, but it is good when it is not just a picture but a natural heating source for homes. 

Pros:

• It can be used as an auxiliary heating device;
• The fireplace moves on wheels, takes up little space and can stand wherever you want;
• Beautiful decor. The decorative electric fireplace looks stylish; 
• Flames catch the eye, but with a big difference, because their sparks will not scatter around the room. This device is entirely fireproof.

Cons:

• It is not a full-fledged heating device. Although on cold days, it will not let you freeze.

Cute decorative fireplaces cannot fully be the home heating, but you can still warm your hands near them on a fantastic evening. There is a built-in heating element inside the fireplace. From it, with the help of a fan, warm air will spread around the room. It turns out warm and beautiful – a real find on an excellent autumn day!

Bottom Line

Choosing the best home heating systems  is complex and very important. Because it is a significant part of your expenses in winter. We have tried to describe and compare all possible types of home heating in as much detail as possible. Next, you must be guided by your budget, housing format, and preferences. If you suddenly live without heaters, it may be interesting to know how to stay warm without them.

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