A central heating system provides warmth to several rooms or the entire interior of a building from one main source of heat. A central heating system is an integral part of a complete home or commercial HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system, and may also include air-conditioning and heat pumps.
The primary energy sources for central heating systems are fuels like coal, wood, oil, kerosene, natural gas and electricity. The energy is converted to heat in a furnace and distributed through the building via fans or ducts, pumps that circulate hot water through room radiators or steam heating systems.
There are two types of central heating: wet and dry. Wet systems use a boiler to heat water and pump it through pipes, while dry systems don’t have a boiler.
Wet central heating is generally used for larger areas and can be made to work with a hot water tank, a combi boiler or a cylinder.
Dry central heating doesn’t need a tank and can be made to work with a storage heater or an oil-filled radiator.
The choice of heating mode has a big impact on energy consumption and your heating bill. Choosing the right one is an important factor for both your budget and your comfort.