Understanding home heating systems, the R-value of insulation and radiant barrier paint.

Understanding Home Heating Systems

There are many elements that work together to create the individual climate and comfort of the home. Consider the volume of attic and wall insulation; the amount and R-value of insulation has a strong impact on the energy efficiency of the house. Has radiant barrier paint been sprayed in the attic? Are windows and doors properly sealed? All these things affect how hard the home heating system has to work.

Elements of the Home Heating System

The different pieces of equipment that make up a home heating system are generally dependent upon the environment where the home is located. Where the winters are mild and the neighborhoods are newer, a gas or electric furnace is the norm. In colder climates, boilers, radiators, and baseboard heaters are likely to be found.

Regardless of locale, the elements of the home heating system are the same. These are:

• A Heat Producer – A natural gas, electricity, or oil-fueled burner . This is the heart of the heating system.

• A Heat Exchanger – This is either a furnace (where air is heated) or a boiler (where water is heated).

• A Heat Distributor – In the case of a furnace, this is the system of ductwork that distributes warmed air throughout the home. It also includes the registers (also known as vents) which are mounted to the floor or ceiling. In a boiler configuration, pipes and radiators are used to circulate hot water. The radiators heat the living space with radiant heat.

• A Temperature Controller – This is the heating/cooling system’s human-to-home interface; this is a thermostat and in some cases, a humidistat. When problems arise, always troubleshoot the thermostat first.

Experiencing a Heating Malfunction?

It’s usually self-evident when there is a heating malfunction. Is the blower starting and stopping too often? Are there questionable sounds coming from the registers or any of the other units? Is the energy usage way out of range for the time of year?

As mentioned above, troubleshoot the thermostat if the system short cycles, if the desired temperature is not reached, if no heat is produced even though the air or water is circulating, or if the system does not turn off when it should. Many of these problems are easy fixes.

How an Air Distribution System Works

In an air distribution system, either an electric heating element or a gas or an oil-fueled burner is used to heat the air in the furnace when the thermostat signals that a lower threshold temperature has been reached.

A blower then kicks in to circulate the warmed air through the ductwork. Branch ducts leave the main duct trunk and lead to registers in individual rooms throughout the home. To complete the circuit, a return air duct brings cooler air back to the furnace to be heated and redistributed. It’s important to keep a clean filter at the return air to prevent contamination and overworking of the system.

The blower and furnace return to dormant mode when the thermostat signals that the high threshold temperature has been reached.

How a Water Distribution System Works

A water distribution system is similar to an air distribution system, with the following differences. Rather than a blower, a water circulation pump moves water through pipes to the rooms of the home.

Each room has one or more radiators. As the heated water flows through the radiators it gives off radiant heat. A return main line returns cool water back to the furnace for reheating.

With either an air or water distribution system, an annual heating system check-up should be performed for preventative maintenance.