Identifying Your Heating System
There are three types of heating systems that you will find in your home:
- Forced Hot Air System
- Forced Hot Water System
- Steam Radiators
Forced Hot Air System - - heated air travels through ductwork and into the various rooms of your home via the grills or vents. The unit that heats the air is referred to as a Furnace (pictured below).
Forced Hot Water or Steam System - - baseboards or radiators indicate that your home is heated via a forced hot water or steam system. In many cases, a forced hot water system also supplies your domestic hot water. The unit that runs a forced hot water system is referred to as a Boiler (pictured below).
Are you still unsure of your home's heating system?
Take a look around and consider the following questions:
- Do you have baseboards running along the edge of the floor?
- Do you have radiators in your rooms?
- Do you have floor or ceiling grills?
If you are not sure which heating system your home comprises of, please contact us. We would be happy to help determine your home's system.
How efficient is your heating system?
Efficient Systems
In general, heating systems are not as efficient when they first fire up compared to when they are they operating at a steady-state. This concept is similar to a car that gets better highway mileage than in stop-and-go traffic. Determining your heating system's efficiency is the most effective when measured over the course of the year (total useful heat the system delivers to your house) versus the value of the fuel it consumes or the AFUE.
What is AFUE?
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)
The AFUE is the most widely used measurement of a heating system's efficiency. It measures the amount of heat actually delivered to your house compared to the amount of fuel that you must supply. For example, a furnace that has an 80% AFUE rating converts 80% of the fuel that you supply to heat -- the other 20% is lost out of the chimney.
How do I determine my system's AFUE?
When a Buckley Heating & Cooling technician comes to your home for a tune-up or service call they will perform a routine efficiency test as part of the service. This percentage is on the invoice you receive after service and is also on file in our computer system if you would like the information. If your furnace is old and you are thinking of replacing it, going for the highest efficiency system can pay off. The highest efficiency models can cost a little more up front, but you will save on fuel bills in the long run, not to mention frequent service calls, loss of heat or hot water as well as the additional expenses involved with maintenance. Having your system installed by Buckley Heating & Cooling will also give you renewed piece of mind, because we warrantee all workmanship and materials supplied by us for a period of one-year from the installation date. Following the one-year warranty period Buckley Heating & Cooling will provide a one-year service contract at no cost*.
*(Automatic fuel delivery required)
Are you Considering Central Air Conditioning?
No matter what kind of heating system you have Buckley Heating & Cooling can help you choose an affordable air conditioning system that best suits you and your home. If you have a Forced Hot Air System (refer to diagram above) we can add a cooling coil to your existing ductwork and place a condenser outside your home. You will be enjoying even the hottest summer days in comfort.
If you don't already have duct work in place Buckley Heating and Cooling can build and install the ductwork to provide your home with central air conditioning. Another option for homeowners without ductwork is ductless air conditioning which is a perfect option when extensive construction isn't an option.
Diagram A: Ductless systems are made up of four components: The condensing unit, located outside; the indoor unit, or units, which can be wall or ceiling mounted; refrigerant lines, which connect the outdoor unit to the indoor unit; and a hand-held wireless remote or wall monitor which controls the entire system.
Ductless units are popular because of their easy maintenance and installation, quiet operation, simple control, and efficient design. Ductless Split Air-Conditioning Systems also have separate controls for each unit, which minimizes over-cooling which can occur with central air-conditioning systems.
Diagram A
How Central Air Conditioning Works
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