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Types of Heating Systems

Steam, hot water, forced warm air, and electric heating systems all function in the same basic way. Each system is equipped with a control, a heat producer, a heat exchanger, and a heat distributor.

• The control, called a thermostat, signals a need for heat.
• The signal turns on the heat producer, usually an oil or gas burner or an electric heating element.
• The heat warms the transfer medium (air, water, or steam) in the heat exchanger.
• If the heat exchanger heats air, it is a furnace.
• If the heat exchanger heats water or produces steam, it is a boiler.
• The transfer medium moves by gravity or is forced through ducts (warm air) or pipes (water or steam) to the heat distributors located in the living areas.
• The heat distributors in a forced warm-air system are registers.
• The heat distributors in a hot water or steam system are convectors or radiators. In a hot water radiant heating system, the water moves through tubing concealed in the ceiling, walls, or floor.
• Return ducts or pipes carry the medium back to the heat exchanger.
• When the temperature reaches the level set on the thermostat, the thermostat automatically shuts down the system.

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