Exploring heating systems commonly used in residential properties

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When the weather gets cold, Australians utilise many different methods to heat their homes. The heating method selected will depend on the ability of the system to keep the home warm, its operational cost, and how long the system can be expected to work. Here are some commonly-used HVAC systems in Australian residential properties.

Boilers

You can think of a boiler as a type of water heater that warms the home through circulating hot water. The hot water is passed through a series of radiators that are strategically placed in different areas of the home.

When heat is released from the hot water, the resulting cool liquid is returned to the boiler for reheating. Boilers use pumps to circulate the hot water that is needed to provide warm air to the home. They can also be equipped with thermostats and valves to regulate water flow and pressure. In addition, boilers can be heated via natural gas, fuel or heating oil.

Forced air furnace systems

The most common type of heating system used in modern residential properties is furnace heating. Furnaces work by circulating warm air as opposed to water. The air is heated in a furnace and then channelled via a series of ducts and vents to different rooms in the home. The success of any furnace heating system will be largely dependent on the system of ducts and vents that are currently in place.

Furnaces can be powered via gas, oil, or electricity. To control airflow, thermostats are typically installed to detect and respond to the current temperatures in the system. In addition, furnaces can also dehumidify air as it passes through vents and before people in the property can inhale it.

Radiant systems

To provide heat in a natural and more comfortable manner, radiation can be used as the primary means of energy transfer. Indeed, radiant systems can transfer heat directly from a cold surface to a warm one.

Radiant heating systems provide warmth through a series of tubes that are installed within the walls or underneath the ground level. Hot water from a boiler then circulates these pipes and transfers heat to cooler objects in the home.

Heat pump systems

Heat pump systems serve the dual functionality of heating the home when the weather is cold and cooling the home during warm weather. A heat pump can force warm air out of the home and replace it with cool air during summer months. More importantly in terms of heating, warm air from outdoors is channelled into the home in order to heat the space.

There are different types of heat pumps available, but air-source heat pumps are the most cost-effective and convenient for homes. They gather warm air and channel it via ducts and vents into the home.

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5 March 2018

Heating and Cooling Your Home: A Guide

Howdy! I'm Hank and I am writing this blog so I can give you the lowdown on the cheapest and most effective ways you can heat or cool your home. I'm not a trained HVAC contractor but my brother is. Last year, I called up my brother and asked him to drive over and install a new HVAC system in my property. The old system wasn't cooling or warming my house and it was making a strange noise. During the installation, my brother gave me lots of great advice and explained exactly what he was doing at each step. I hope you find this information useful.