What Type of Heating System Do I Have?

Homeowners should know the type of heating system their home utilizes in order to stay warm and cozy throughout the colder seasons. Familiarizing yourself with the ins and outs of your specific heater will make it easier to notice any signs of failure, and it’ll also be useful when it’s time to schedule services such as repair or maintenance.

To help you ensure you know what type of heater your home has, our experts at Campbell & Company are covering the main types of heaters and how to determine which one you’ve got.

Most Common Types of Heating Systems

Different homes depend on different types of heating systems to provide them with that much-needed warmth when temperatures drop. However, it’s not always easy to know just what heater you depend on. We’re here to offer some insight on the most common types of heaters:

Furnace

A furnace, or “forced air system,” is the most common heating system used today. This system heats air by using gas, oil, or electricity, and it is then distributed throughout your home via ductwork and ventilation. If you’ve got a furnace, it is most often found in a basement, crawl space, attic, or closet.

Boiler

A boiler uses heated water to warm your home, with a vessel where water is stored and turned into steam. Like a furnace, boilers also rely on gas, propane, oil, or electricity to produce heat, but the heat is distributed through heating coils, baseboard radiators, or radiant floor heating instead of ductwork. You can identify a boiler by its water storage vessel.

Heat Pump

Heat pumps can provide both heating and cooling and are often used in areas with milder climates. They consist of two components with one being inside your home and one being outside. The outside unit is often confused with an air conditioner, but you can tell if you’ve got a heat pump by checking the label on the outside component.

Radiator

If your home is older, it may use a radiator. Radiators can pair with a boiler to heat your home, or they may operate with the use of electric coils. Steam is heated up in a sealed metal container and then radiates throughout your home. You can tell if you have a radiator by whether or not you can see the sealed metal containers in your home.

Packaged Units Heating System

A packaged unit consists of both a heating and air conditioning component and operates on either gas or electricity. These can be found on your roof or a concrete slab next to your home, and heating or cooling is transferred to your home through ductwork.

Call Campbell & Company Today To Learn More About Your Home’s Heating

If you’re still unsure of your home’s heating unit, call Campbell & Company today for our expertise. Since 1983, our local, family-operated company has delivered exceptional heating services to Yakima and the Tri-Cities area. We offer quick, reliable services, convenient scheduling, and free estimates on installations.

Trust us to do it right! Schedule a service with our licensed and insured team today by calling 509-545-9848.