by Joe Brooks

Created on: December 26, 2009

Most of us probably take our home heating systems for granted. Especially for those of us who live in warmer climates, the system is not used for much of the year. But when it gets cool and we want to warm the house, we expect to set the switch to "heat" and have the warm air start circulating. Usually that does happen, but in case it doesn't, or if you are planing a new system or new home, it is good to know something about the basics of home furnaces.

Often modern homes, especially in mild temperature zones, do not have furnaces, but heat pumps instead. Heat pumps are electrical systems that cool the home in the summer by taking heat from the inside to the outside. In cold weather, they function as a heating system by reversing the cycle and moving heat to the inside of the home. They are fine for gentle climates. If you have an older home or live in a more demanding climate, though, you may need or already have a sure-enough furnace.

Gas home furnaces are common and popular. They can burn natural gas piped in by the gas company, or propane from a tank installed on your property. These need to be installed and adjusted by a professional. The systems are rated for amount of heat delivered, according to the size of your home. Your heating contractor will know what is needed. There are variations in quality, and the best systems operate with greater efficiency and more quietly, as you might expect.

In some areas, and commonly in older homes, you will find oil-fired furnaces. These burn heating oil, and have a blower system to move the air past a heat exchange unit, transmitting the warmed air through the house. These do warm the house well, but should be maintained by a professional, as cleaning and adjustments are critical.

In addition to gas and heating oil, we have more and more types of alternatively fueled furnaces on the market. You would be surprised at the variety available. You can burn shelled corn, fruit pits, and a variety of pellets produced from manufacturing waste. There are cardboard pellets as well as wood pellets. And really, who knows what uses may be found for matter that would otherwise be considered waste? It is a fine thing to avoid waste and get use out of what used to be trash.

There are other home heating systems you may consider that would not be called furnaces, really, such as the type that circulates solar heated water through floors. Whatever type you have or are considering, be environmentally conscious in your choices, for the good of us all. Select the most Earth Friendly product when you can. Keeps your thermostat settings to a reasonable level. Make sure your heating system is properly installed and safe. And have a heating professional in once a year for a home heating system check up.

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