Home Heating System Types – The PROS & CONS

Last updated 2 Feb 2016

Heating System Type Description Things to Consider The PROS The CONS

GAS DUCTED HEATING

gas-ducted-heater-300

 Designed to heat the whole house
  • Buy an energy efficient model – make sure it has a minimum energy rating of at least 4 stars.
  • Choose a system with the ability to be zoned – (switch off areas not being used)
  • Use only well insulated duct-work.
  • Available in both zoned and un-zoned systems.
  • Quick cold to warm time
  • More expensive than a gas space heater to install and operate.
  • Not ideal for houses with high ceilings

GAS FIRED HYDRONIC

Gas-hydronic-heating-300

 Designed to heat the whole house. These systems circulate heated water through radiator panels, fan-coil units or in some cases via pipes in a concrete slab.
  • Some systems allow for individual room temperatures to be set, and some turned off.
  • Buy an energy efficient boiler (natural gas is the cheapest fuel for the boiler), and make sure the pipework is well insulated.
  • Good for allergy suffers
  • Quiet heating source
  • Good choice for high ceilings
  • Slower response time than air based central heating systems
  • More expensive than gas ducted heating to install

DUCTED REVERSE
CYCLE AIR CONDITIONER
reverse-ac-300

 Whole house heating and cooling through one set of ducts, usually in the ceiling
  • Sizing is critical and should be done by an expert.
  • Buy the most energy efficient unit you can afford
  • Use only well insulated ductwork.
  • Can heat whole house for a number of specific zones.
  • The one unit provides heating AND cooling
  • More expensive than room air conditioner to run, & more expensive than gas ducted heating to install
  • Cooling costs in summer add to energy bills

ELECTRIC IN-SLAB HEATING

 Electric coils run through a concrete slab, generally runs on a cheaper off-peak electricity tariff
  • Avoid putting carpet or timber flooring over in slab heating.
  • Should be run at a thermostat setting no higher than 18oC, otherwise running costs will be much higher.
  • Some systems allow for individual room control
  • Good for allergy suffers
  • Most expensive form of heating to run
  • Slow response time. Best suited for cold climates & usually operates 24/7 in winter.

GAS ROOM HEATER

 Designed to heat a single room or open plan area. Can be flued or unflued. Can be run on natural gas or LPG(more expensive). Unflued heaters can only be run on LPG
  • Buy an energy efficient model – make sure it’s at least 4 stars.
  • Very economical to run
  • Heats only the areas being used

SPLIT REVERSE
CYCLE AIR
CONDITIONERS

 Designed to heat a single room or open plan area. Split system or window wall models available.
Reverse-cycle systems can both heat and cool.
  • Split systems are quieter than window wall units.
  • Buy the most energy efficient unit possible.
  • Inverter models are quieter and more efficient.
  • Sizing is critical and should be done by an expert.
  • One unit provides heating AND cooling
  • Cheapest form of electric heating
  • Cooling costs in summer add to energy bills

PORTABLE
PLUG IN HEATER

 Designed to provide single room heating only, for short periods
  • Running costs are determined by the wattage of the heater, so a 1200-watt fan heater will cost the same to run as a 1200-watt column or panel heater.
  • Buy a unit with a integral fan, thermostat and timer to keep costs down.
  • Cheap to buy
  • Very expensive to run for long periods
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