Understanding Home Heating Systems

Heating a home is irrelevant in some places of the country, and a matter of survival most of the year in others. As a buyer agent and listing agent, I help buyers and sellers identify what they want (buyers) and what they have (sellers). Most owners and owners-to-be aren't sure of the differences between various systems, so here's an overview.

All heating system have four components:

Fuel: This is the energy that the system converts to provide heat. This can be wood, solar, propane, natural gas, electricity, oil, coal.
Fuel Storage: In the case of natural gas and electricity, this fuel isn't stored, but delivered continuously (as long as you pay the bill). Other fuel can be stored on-site until needed: wood, a gas in a propane tank, oil in an oil tank, batteries for solar heat.
The appliance: This converts the fuel (above) into heat. It could be a boiler, a wood stove, a furnace, space heater, a heat pump or batteries.
The delivery: This is how the heat gets from the appliances (above) to the places around the home. This can be duct-work for air, copper pipes for water, steam radiators for steam, baseboards for electric heat, or a simple fan in the case of a wood stove.

In some places around the country some of these combination are unheard of, so when you're house-hunting, especially if you're relocating, take some time to understand what is usual and customary in a new area. Heat pumps, for example are unheard in the frigid northeast; heat pumps don't really work well below an air temperature of about 25 degrees, so you won't see them up there.

There are widely varying degrees of efficiency in each of the these fuel sources and each of these appliances, so you need to take into account all the heating system components, as well as the age, design and upgrades to the property you are considering to make a good assessment of the potential costs and maintenance required.

Ask the current owner (if it's a resale) for copies of the last year's heating costs and fuel consumption. It'll give you some idea of what to expect, but keep in mind, if you like your place colder or warmer than the current owner, the costs could be way off. Also keep in mind that most of these fuels may also power other appliances like the stove, water heater, dryer or air conditioning system, so that adds to costs depending on your uses.

If you're buying, consider the home's heating approach carefully. Don't assume that what's there is the best option for the home, the location and the availability of fuel and repair expertise. Sometimes new homes are built with heating components and approaches from the previous owner based on preferences, not based on efficiencies or common sense. Do your homework, have an inspection done of the entire system and be sure include annual maintenance as part of the costs of home ownership.

More from this Contributor:
Buying a Home? Five Reasons Why You Should Insist on a Home Warranty Before Closing
Understanding Functional Obsolescence in Residential Real Estate
Hidden Costs of Home Ownership