10 Types of Home Heating Systems and How to Choose One

Home heating systems are designed to increase the temperature inside a house by tapping thermal energy from a fuel source, and then transferring it to living spaces. There are several types of home heating systems used to provide heat in residential homes, and each broad type has more specific variations. Some HVAC systems share components with the home’s cooling equipment, some work independently, and some provide both heating and cooling.

What Is HVAC?

HVAC is an abbreviation for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. This term is used to describe the overall climate control system within a home, referring to both the heating and cooling equipment.

No matter what HVAC system is installed, the purpose of all heating appliances is to use some type of fuel to warm the interior of a home. Heating systems can use a variety of fuel sources, including natural gas, propane, fuel oil, biofuel (such as wood), solar, and electricity. Some homes have more than one heating system: For example, some additions or finished basements are heated by different systems than the rest of the house.

Here, learn about 10 different types of home heating systems plus the pros and cons of each to help you decide which option is best for your home.

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• 01of 10Forced Air Heating/Cooling Systems BanksPhotos/Getty Images
  • Best for: Multipurpose HVAC that heats and cools quickly
  By far the most common HVAC system in modern North American homes, the forced air system uses a furnace with a blower fan that delivers warmed air to the various rooms of the home through a network of ducts. Forced air systems are very quick at adjusting the temperature of a room, and because air conditioning systems can share the same blower and ductwork, this is an efficient overall HVAC System.Installing a new forced air HVAC system typically costs between $5,000 and $10,000.¹ This is based on the square footage of your home, and larger houses will require stronger units that may increase costs. These systems can last up to 25 years before needing replacement units.Fuel sources: The furnaces that power forced air systems can be fueled by natural gas, liquid propane (LP), fuel oil, or electricity.Distribution: Air that is warmed by the furnace’s burner or the heating element is distributed through a network of ducts to heating registers in individual rooms. Another system of ducts returns the air to the furnace through cold-air returns.Pros
  • Air filters and humidifiers can be added
  • Highest AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) ratings of any heating system
  • Combine cooling with heating capability
  Cons
  • Requires ductwork and space in walls
  • Can create dry, allergen-prone air without filters and humidifiers
  • Heats the air rather than the objects in a room
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• 02of 10Gravity Air Furnace SystemsInterNACHI.org
  • Best for: Long-lasting heating system with little maintenance
  A precursor to forced air systems, gravity air furnaces also distribute air through a system of metal ducts—but rather than forcing the air via a blower, gravity air systems operate by the simple physics of warm air rising and cool air sinking. However, the temperature adjustments are slow because the systems operate by simple convection currents.A gravity air furnace in a basement heats the air, which then rises into the various rooms through ducts. Cool air returns to the furnace via a system of cold-air return ducts. The so-called “octopus” furnaces found in many older homes are gravity air furnaces.Gravity air systems are no longer installed, and the cost of maintaining them should be minimal. In many older homes, they continue to perform effectively.Fuel source: Gravity air furnaces can be fueled by natural gas, liquid propane (LP), or fuel oil. They are seldom fueled by electricity since these systems are older and electricity was rarely used in their era. Distribution: Conditioned air is circulated through a network of metal ducts. Pros
  • No moving parts; can last for decades
  • Requires little maintenance
  • Quiet operation
  Cons
  • Air cannot be filtered effectively
  • Less energy-efficient than newer furnaces
  • Slow to adjust temperature
• 03of 10In-Floor Radiant Heating Systems elenaleonova / Getty Images
  • Best for: Modern radiant heating in regions with mild winters
  Modern in-floor radiant heating involves plastic water tubing, which is installed inside concrete slab floors or attached to the top or bottom of wood floors. It is quiet and generally energy-efficient. It tends to heat slower and takes longer to adjust than forced air heat, but its heat is more consistent. While maintenance can be difficult to reach the hidden pipes, in-floor radiant heating units should last for several decades.Radiant heating is different from forced air heat in that it heats objects and materials, such as furniture and flooring, rather than just the air. Most whole-home radiant systems distribute heat via water heated in a boiler or water heater. However, boiler-based systems cannot be combined with air conditioning.There are also in-floor systems that use electrical wiring installed under flooring materials, typically ceramic or stone tile. These are less energy-efficient than hot water systems and are typically used only in small rooms such as bathrooms. They primarily heat the floor in such a way as to keep your feet warm, but not so much the room itself. Installing radiant floor heating typically costs between $1,800 and $6,000, while costs gradually decrease as more square footage is added.¹Fuel sources: Hot water tubing systems are usually heated by a central boiler, which can be fueled by natural gas, liquid propane (LP), or electricity. Hot water also can be provided by solar hot water systems, which are commonly used to supplement fuel-based systems.Distribution: In-floor systems are usually distributed by hot water flowing through plastic tubing.Pros
  • Comfortable, evenly distributed heat
  • Energy efficient with use of boilers
  • Can be solar-powered
  Cons
  • Slow to heat up during temperature changes
  • Expensive to install
  • Maintenance of hidden piping is difficult
• 04of 10Traditional Boiler and Radiator Systems David De Lossy / Getty Images
  • Best for: Whole-home radiant heat
  Traditional boiler and radiator systems include a central boiler that circulates steam or hot water through pipes to radiator units positioned strategically around the house. Older homes and apartment buildings in North America often are heated with these systems. The classic radiator—a cast-iron upright unit usually positioned near windows—is often called a steam radiator, although this term is sometimes inaccurate.In reality, there are two types of systems used with these older radiators. True steam boilers circulate gaseous steam through pipes to individual radiators, which then condenses back to water and flows back to the boiler for reheating. Modern radiator systems circulate hot water to radiators via electric pumps. Hot water radiator systems are very common in Europe. Expect to replace boilers and radiators about every 10 to 15 years, which typically costs between $3,700 and $8,200.¹Fuel sources: Boiler/radiator systems can be fueled by natural gas, liquid propane, fuel oil, or electricity. Original boilers may even have been fueled by coal. Distribution: Heat is produced by steam or hot water circulating through metal pipes to radiators shaped to facilitate the transfer of thermal energy. Pros
  • Less dry than forced air heating systems
  • Radiators can be updated to baseboard or wall panel options
  • Energy-efficient with new boilers
  Cons
  • Radiators can be unsightly
  • Locations of radiators may limit furniture placement or window coverings
  • Boiler-based systems cannot be combined with air conditioning
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• 05of 10Hot Water Baseboard Radiator Thinkstock Images / Getty Images
  • Best for: Radiant heating with a smaller system than traditional radiators
  Another more modern form of radiant heat is a hot water baseboard system, also known as a hydronic system, which also uses a centralized boiler to heat water that circulates through a system of water pipes. This water flows to low-profile baseboard heating units that radiate the heat from the water out into the room via thin metal fins surrounding the water pipe, typically made of carbon steel. This is essentially just an updated, evolved version of the old upright radiator systems. Hot water baseboard heaters can last for several decades and typically cost between $450 and $1,200 to install new or replace old units.¹Fuel Sources: Boilers for hydronic systems can be fueled by natural gas, liquid propane (LP), fuel oil, or electricity. They can also be aided by solar heating systems.Distribution: Hot water is heated by a boiler and piped to “fin-tube” baseboard units mounted along walls. The fins increase the surface area of heat dissipation for efficiency. Heat is distributed by natural convection: Heated air rises from the baseboard unit, while cold air falls toward the unit for heating.
  Pros
  • Excellent energy efficiency and requires little maintenance to perform well
  • Quiet operation
  • Temperature can be precisely controlled
  Cons
  • Must remain unobstructed; can limit furniture placement or window coverings
  • Cannot be combined with air conditioning
  • Slow to heat up; pipes are at risk of freezing if system goes out
• 06of 10Heat Pump Heating Systemsadventtr/Getty Images
  • Best for: Heating and cooling without ductwork in mild climates
  The newest home heating (and cooling) technology is the heat pump, which uses a system similar to air conditioners to extract heat from the air and deliver it to the home via an indoor air handler. Standard home systems are air-source heat pumps that draw heat from the outdoor air. There are also ground-source, or geothermal, heat pumps that pull heat from deep in the ground as well as water-source heat pumps that rely on a pond or lake for heat. Installing a heat pump can cost on average between $4,202 and $7,673, depending on the size and type you need. This cost is also associated with other types of heating systems that use heat pumps, such as ductless mini-splits and hybrid heating systems.²Fuel sources: Heat pumps are usually powered by electricity, although natural gas models are also available. Distribution: Heat (and cooling) are provided by wall-mounted units that blow air across evaporator coils made from copper or aluminum, which are linked to an outdoor pump that extracts or absorbs heat from the outdoors. Pros
  • Heating and cooling can be combined without needing ductwork
  • Energy-efficient
  • Precise temperature control for each room with quiet fans
  Cons
  • Best suited for relatively mild climates
  • Distribution of hot or cold air is limited
  • Each unit must be controlled individually from separate rooms
• 07of 10Electric Resistance Heating SystemsBanksPhotos/Getty Images
  • Best for: Supplemental heating in less-used rooms
  Electric resistance systems like baseboard heaters are a popular option for supplemental heating in finished basements, home offices, and seasonal rooms like three-season porches and sunrooms. These heaters are not commonly used for primary home heating systems, mostly due to the high cost of electricity.Like in-floor radiant heat, radiant electric heaters warm the objects in the room rather than just the air. Electric heaters are easy and inexpensive to install, typically costing between $450 and $1,200, and they require no ductwork, pumps, air handlers, or other distribution equipment.¹ The units are inexpensive, have no moving parts, and require virtually no maintenance. There are two main types of baseboard heaters: convection (traditional) and hydronic. Convection is a metal rod with fins that, as electricity is applied, the rod and fins heat and give warmth to the room. Hydronic is a metal tube filled with a liquid that is heated when electricity is applied and holds the heat longer, but it takes longer to heat up and is three to four times more expensive than convection units.In addition to conventional baseboard heaters, there are electric radiant heaters that heat with radiation. These typically are installed near the ceiling and are directed toward the room occupants, providing more focused heat than you get with baseboard units. Radiant heaters also are more energy-efficient than baseboard units. Fuel sources: Electric resistance systems are plugged into the home’s electrical circuits, using the home’s main electricity which may be powered by coal.Distribution: Baseboard heaters use natural convection to circulate heat throughout the room. Wall-mounted heaters and many specialty heaters (like toe kick heaters) usually have internal fans that blow out heated air.Pros
  • Versatile; can be installed anywhere with an electrical circuit
  • Silent operation without fans
  • No ductwork or major installation needed
  Cons
  • Expensive to operate
  • Uses a lot of electricity and can overload electrical circuit
  • Can contribute to air pollution and atmospheric carbon when using electricity powered by coal
• 08of 10Hybrid Heat Systems The Spruce / Tessa Cooper
  • Best for: Regions with varying seasonal temperatures and moderate winters
  A hybrid system combines the performance of an electric heat pump and a gas furnace. It’s an energy-efficient system that makes use of the heat pump in most temperatures. Heat pumps do not distribute as much heat as does the furnace part of the system. The heat pump will not heat a home well when temperatures dip below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. However, when temperatures go below that point the system is programmed to turn on the gas furnace to provide more heat.  Fuel Sources: The heat pump uses electricity and the furnace is powered by gas.Distribution: A heat pump draws ambient air into its unit and through a series of processes heats it and pushes it out into the home through the home’s ductwork. The gas furnace’s blower forces heated air through the ductwork. Pros
  • More efficient without stressing either part of the system
  • Plenty of winter heat generated by furnace without worry
  • Automatically kickstarts furnace in colder weather
  Cons
  • Is not necessary for warm regions
  • Two systems need maintenance
  • Installation costs may be higher than other systems
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• 09of 10Ductless Mini-Split The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
  • Best for: Room additions or remote areas of a home; regions with mild temperatures
  A popular type of air-source heat pump is the mini-split, or ductless, system. This has a relatively small outdoor compressor unit and one or more indoor air handlers that are easy to add to room additions or remote areas of a home. Many heat pump systems are reversible and can be switched to air conditioning mode in the summer. Heat pumps can be energy efficient, but they are suitable only for relatively mild climates; they are less effective in very hot and very cold weather. These systems usually last 15 years or more and cost about $2,000 to $14,500 or more depending on various factors.³Fuel Sources:A ductless mini-split system operates on electricity. The system does not create heat, it simply transports air between components.Distribution:The two main components to pump heat into your home include an outdoor condenser component that captures and releases heat from the air into a smaller wall-mounted indoor unit called a zone. The indoor unit pulls in warm air and sends it back to the condenser as cold air.Pros
  • Does not require ductwork
  • Convenient placement on wall
  • Reverse valve turns system into cooling units
  Cons
  • Costly to install
  • Not an option for renters
  • Must be sized and installed by a professional
• 10of 10Wood Heating Systems The Spruce / Alyssa VelaBest for: Homes that prefer an economical heating sourceWood heating systems include:
  • Wood stoves
  • Pellet stoves
  • Outdoor wood furnaces and boilers
  • Masonry heaters/stoves
  Wood stoves need to be maintained to keep a constant burn of wood heating to warm your home. A pellet stove operates when the stove’s hopper is filled with pellets. A pellet stove can also be thermostatically controlled.It can cost you on average of $325 to $4,000 to install a wood-burning stove and $1,000 to $3,100 to install a pellet stove.⁴Outdoor wood boilers vary from $8,000 to $14,000, costing on average $6,000 for a small system and $12,000 on average for a large system. Huge boiler units cost as much as $20,000.⁵Factory-built masonry stoves can be purchased starting at about $8,000 and on-site builds cost about $20,000.⁶Fuel Sources:
  • Wood-burning stoves, outdoor furnaces and boilers, and masonry heaters all use wood logs.
  • Pellet stoves use pellets made from compressed wood or other organic materials and require less cleanup than traditional wood-burning stoves.
  Distribution:
  • Traditional wood stoves transfer heat into the air in a room by moving across a hot surface. The heated air then begins to circulate in a room and rises.
  • Pellet stoves heat the air with either a convection blower or a distribution blower, depending on the type of stove. In general, the stove’s blower helps distribute the heat from the fire inside the stove through the circulation of warm air.
  • Masonry heaters/stoves store heat from the intermittently burning wood and slowly radiate it into your house for 18 to 24 hours.⁷
  Pros
  • Cleaner burning technologies available
  • Wood is a cheaper fuel source than other types
  • Traditional wood-burning stoves provide heat in emergencies and during power outages
  • Long-lasting up to 20 to 25 years
  Cons
  • These heating systems can be fire hazards if not used or installed correctly 
  • Possible health problems from smoke emissions
  • Heat becomes trapped, poor circulation
  • Pellet stoves may go out in a power outage (needs generator)

Choosing a Home Heating System

When choosing a new heating system for your home, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each option and determine what type of heater suits your needs. For example, in-floor radiant heating is a great option for those living in warmer climates who don’t need to heat their home in freezing temperatures for several months straight. In colder regions, forced air heating or radiators can provide more consistent and comfortable temperatures through the winter.

Additionally, the cost of replacing an outdated system may not be worth it when modern, more energy-efficient options can be installed. In most cases, it’s best to contact a professional HVAC technician to help you begin the process of updating your home’s heating system based on its size, layout, and regional climate.

FAQ

• What is the most efficient heat for a home?Electric resistance heating, though expensive, is the most efficient heat system for a home.⁸ If you live in a cold climate, active solar heating may be the most efficient way to heat your home, but you need enough sun to make it work well. Active systems convert the sun’s energy into a usable form for the home.⁹
• What type of heating do most homes have?Forced air is the most common type of heating system in homes in the United States. The second most common type of heating is the traditional boiler and radiator systems found in older homes and apartments.
• What heating system lasts the longest?Boilers and furnaces can last up to 30 years. However, most heating systems last 10 to 20 years but some can last much longer than that though they will begin to lose their efficiency to heat a home.¹⁰