A central heating system provides a single source of heat to a number of rooms within a building, which can be heated by air, steam, or water. Depending on the type of system, energy sources may include electricity, fuels such as oil or gas, or a combination of these.
Typical energy costs vary according to the fuel and the system. Some systems have a furnace that burns fuel and then circulates the warm air through ductwork, while others heat by using low-pressure steam to distribute heat to radiators.
Modern boilers that are part of a central heating system, such as combi-boilers, can produce heat on demand and do not require a storage tank, making them more cost-effective. They can be controlled by a thermostat which allows the owner to set the temperature they want their system to operate at.
Most ‘wet’ central heating systems use a boiler or heat exchanger that heats the water that feeds the network of pipes. They can be split into two types, those that use a single pipe or those that use a double-pipe layout where the hot water flows through the radiators, then back to the boiler for reheating.
Most systems in the UK are a gas-based option, although a growing number of electric units are turning up each year. The key point to remember when choosing a central heating system is that it needs to be properly sized, so that it can supply the heat needed to keep your home or business warm.