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In addition to wanting our home to be warm, we also want the heating not to be too expensive and the chosen heating system to be energy efficient.
If we want to reduce heating costs, we must pay special attention to the thermal insulation of the space, with the help of which we can save a large amount of money in the long run. Some of the more important elements of insulation are the quality of the carpentry, roof and facade, so that the space retains heat as much as possible.
What types of heating are there?
Today, there are numerous types of heating available for households - from traditional solid fuel heating to solar heating systems.
1. Wood heating
Wood heating is the oldest source of thermal energy, and today it is the most economical and environmentally friendly heating system.
The advantages of heating with wood are numerous, and the biggest advantage is the cheaper fuel. Despite its numerous advantages, heating with wood is still not acceptable for every household. A wood-burning stove requires a chimney that must be regularly maintained, the combustion chamber must be cleaned and sufficient access to fresh air must be ensured.
Among the most common solutions for wood heating are fireplace heating and wood central heating.
2. Electric heating
One of the common methods of heating, especially in areas where gas or the city's central heating system is not available, is electric heating.
It is a heating system that is easy to use, but depending on the system it can be expensive or very affordable. When we choose this heating method, we should think about the size of the space we want to heat and the location of the installation of the device.
One of the ways of heating with electricity is through an electric boiler that heats water and sends it to the radiators. The initial investment of the boiler itself is low, and the operating costs are relatively high, depending on the size and construction method of the residential building that needs to be heated.
Other ways of heating with electricity are heating through air conditioners or heat pumps, which can efficiently and quickly heat the space, and at the same time represent a simple way of heating. Inverter devices are often more expensive than classic on/off air conditioning, but they pay off especially when it comes to a larger space.
Portable heaters are ideal for small spaces. Their characteristic is fast space heating and easy portability. Although portable heaters are quite simple and instantly heat the space, you need to be careful with them. It is very dangerous to leave them on when no one is home. In addition, they represent a rather expensive heating source if used as a primary heating source.
3. Gas or oil heating
Gas central heating is mostly used in buildings and houses that have the possibility of connecting to a gas pipeline, especially because of its simplicity, but also more economically acceptable cost compared to electricity.
This type of heating is carried out so that the water heated in the gas boiler is sent to radiators or underfloor heating, where the usefulness of condensing gas boilers comes to the fore.
Oil as a type of thermal energy is very similar to the principle of gas heating and represents a cheaper way of heating than electricity.
4. Solar heating system
The solar heating system can be combined with a condensing boiler, a pellet boiler or with some other heating source, with the combination of which also saves up to 25% of energy.
Solar heating systems can be used independently, but they are also very often combined with solar collectors, which achieve significant savings when preparing hot water or heating. Thus, Terma thermosiphon solar packages for the preparation of hot sanitary water are characterized by:
- high usability
- simple installation
- long service life
- possibility of hot water heating without pump and regulation
- tank protection with magnesium anode
- high degree of utilization of the collector
The solar heating system is the most environmentally friendly way of heating. Although it requires a rather high initial investment, it is well worth it in the long run. A solar heating system is ideal for a family home, especially if there are several family members in it.
5. Floor heating
Underfloor heating promises lower heating costs than classic central heating because it requires a lower water temperature, which is where condensing gas boilers and heat pumps come into play.
Floor heating is a fairly comfortable heating method that does not raise dust and does not dry the air, and the distribution of heat is uniform (which comes to the fore in large spaces). It is precisely for these reasons that it is healthier than a classic radiator. The main advantage of underfloor heating is its possible implementation in a house or apartment, but also on outdoor surfaces such as a terrace or balcony.
How to choose the right type of heating?
There is no universally ideal solution for everyone's home, because in that case most of us would use it. Some heating systems offer savings, while others offer convenience. Choosing heating is not an easy decision, and it should be made taking into account the possibilities, the size of the space, the number of household members and future plans.
The choice depends on several factors:
- to each individual and desired effect
- availability of energy sources
- the conditions of the heating operator provider
Also, choosing the type of heating is not the same whether you live in a house or an apartment. While in an apartment you depend on the entire heating system and the owner of the building, in a house it is easier to choose the type of heating since you decide your own destiny.
Conclusion
Wood heating is a cheap and economical way of heating, but it also offers the ultimate winter atmosphere. On the other hand, electric heating or gas central heating offers comfort and ease of use.
Solar heating still requires higher initial costs, but it is possible to implement it with other forms of heating, during which a significant percentage of energy is also saved. Floor heating is still considered a more expensive version, even though it represents a health and economically extremely acceptable way of heating, while electric heating, despite its ease of use, still requires the highest costs.
All types of heating have certain advantages and disadvantages, so the final decision should be based on your own preferences and possibilities.
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