Other ways to Heat

Here are some alternative heating methods:

Radiant Heat

Radiant Heat is used to warm the field at Cleveland Browns Stadium along with basements, garages, driveways and more to keep concrete warm along with melting snow and ice. Pipe is installed in or under the area to be kept warm. The water or glycol is heated with a boiler and is controlled by a thermostat manually or automatically.

Electric Heat Pump

An Electric Heat Pump takes outside cold air and creates heat in the winter and pulls hot air in the summer to create cold air. It is usually used with an electric furnace to lower fuel cost. It also can be used with fossil fuels. It will give you more flexibility with both heating and cooling along with going from a 10 S.E.E.R. rating all the way to an 18 S.E.E.R. rating on your air conditioner.

Oil Heat

Oil Heat comes in handy for areas where you need to be more flexible with your energy choice. The oil is delivered and stored in a tank and is burned to heat the heat exchanger. The warm air then forced through the system by a blower. Oil is a very warm heat for the person who likes the air hot. The unit will require a little more maintenance, but will make up for it in the long run.

Propane Heat

Propane Heat also comes in handy for areas where you need to be more flexible with your energy choice. Like the oil system, the gas is stored in a tank and works like a forced air system. Conversion kits also are available to be used with a standard furnace.

Hot Water Heat

Hot Water Heat is a system of pipe along with separate room copper finned radiators connected to a boiler that heats the water and sends it through the system. Hydronics is very flexible as well as being comfortable. You can zone the system as well as going to units that will give you an efficiency rating as high as 95% AFUE.

Steam Heat

Steam Heat Systems are not installed residentially as often anymore and are used mostly in commercial applications, but replacing an old unit is a very common occurrence. A steam heat system works like a hot water system, but steam travels through the pipe and cast iron radiators. When a steam heat system is working properly, it is a very comfortable way to heat.