Install an Energy-Efficient Heating System in Your New York Home

Residential Heat Source & Heat Distribution Method Types

• Forced-air heating systems:

  A furnace burns fossil fuel, such as oil or gas. A heat exchanger, inside the furnace, transfers heat to air. A blower moves the heated air through supply ducts to the rooms of your home. Return ducts deliver room air back to the furnace so it can be reheated and redistributed. Forced-air heating is affordable and its ductwork can be used for cool air distribution in summer.

• Hydro-air:

  A gas- or oil-fired boiler heats water that is pumped through a heat exchanger or coil mounted in your ductwork. As air passes through the coil, it picks up heat before being distributed throughout the home. The boiler in a hydro-air system often does double duty, heating water for washing as well as for heating. This eliminates the need for a separate water heater.

• Hot water baseboard heat:

  A boiler heats water which is then pumped to baseboards or other types of radiators. This type of heating system requires no ductwork, which is both good (no bulky or leaky ducts) and bad (no distribution for central air conditioning).

• Air-source heat pump:

  Heat pumps run on electricity but are more efficient than conventional electric heaters. That’s because they can draw heat from the air, even when it’s fairly cold outside. Think of them as a central air conditioner that can run in reverse, supplying hot air in the winter and cool air in the summer. If you've ever waved your hand over your AC unit outside on a hot day, you probably noticed the outdoor unit was blowing hot air. During cold weather, this cycle can be reversed to move this heat into the house. Air-source heat pumps are viable only in moderate climates. For more information, click here.

• A geothermal or ground-source heat pump:

  A GSHP works like its cousin, the air source heat pump, with one major distinction: It relies on the earth's ground energy to either dump its heat (summer) or pick it up (winter). Because the earth's temperature remains about the same (55-65 degrees F) 6-12 ft. below the surface, this type of heat pump performs efficiently in all climates. For more information, click here.

• Combi boilers:

  These systems supply hot water for space heating and also for bathing and washing. Typically compact and very energy efficient, they are popular in Europe where energy costs are very high, and space is at a premium. Combi systems burn fossil fuel, and usually can supply virtually any form of hydronic heating application.

• Radiant floor heat:

  This system uses a boiler to supply warm water to a network of tubes or pipes installed under your floor. (It can also be installed above your ceiling in situations where it will circulate cold water for summertime cooling.) The flooring material is warmed and radiates heat to people and objects in the room. It does not heat air directly, so it is considered the most comfortable heating system. Because it can operate at lower temperatures, it’s also one of the most energy efficient.

• Hybrid heating systems:

  By combining an air source heat pump with a fossil fuel furnace, hybrid systems give you the flexibility to use the most cost-effective fuel at any given outside temperature. In addition, you get built-in redundancy so that if one system isn't working correctly, the other can take over. Controls are automated so there's nothing for you to do once you have programmed the thermostat.