Good day neighbour; out researching common central heating problems?
No one can blame you, especially if it happens to be Winter as you’re reading this. Central heating systems tend to go into hissy fits around this time of the year when they’re zapped into service after sleeping through the summer.
But before we get started, is the reason you’re here on our blog right now because your HVAC system is experiencing problems?
You thinking maybe it’s time for a replacement?
Attempting to save money by monkeying with your system yourself?
Maybe you’re just researching what kind of HVAC system you want to invest in and curious about upkeep costs.
Whatever your reason, it begins with the kind of system you have, so let’s briefly look at the Home Heating System Types we come across in our line of work.
Furnace – A Forced-Air Distribution System: Typically powered by gas, these heating systems heat up air via electricity, propane or oil, then push it throughout your home through a network of ducts.
Boiler – A Radiator Distribution System: Rather than just heating the air, common boiler heating systems use hot water or steam to do the job from a central location – which is then pushed out.
Heat Pump – For folks in temperate Northern California, heat pumps are a great option. They’re versatile because they can be used to heat or cool the home using refrigerant and electricity.
Hybrid Heating Systems – Simply put – modern hybrid heating systems combine the energy efficiency of a heat pump with the power of a gas furnace which only switches on in extremely cold temperatures.
Ductless Mini-Splits – When you have a larger home with lots of rooms, or you just want to have complete control of your in-home atmosphere, these systems create separate HVAC zones with separate thermostats.
Radiant Heating – These systems can last, and last, but there’s definitely drawbacks in terms of maintenance. They send hot water or electric heat through a tubing network in the floor, ceiling, or walls.
Baseboard Heaters – These systems give you two options – electric or hydronic – and are great for supplemental heating purposes.
Each one of these systems has its pros and cons. Depending on the type of energy being used and the distribution system, there’s a huge long list of potential problems you could experience.