Central heating systems have been considered a necessity in our homes and
businesses for many years. When comparing available systems, consumers should
carefully consider safety, installation cost, operating costs, maintenance
costs, and comfort.
There are two basic types of systems - those that require a flame to
operate (i.e., combustion based), and those that do not. Most central systems
presently installed create heat by combustion, just as they did in the early
part of the century. These systems use a furnace to burn a fossil fuel (such as
oil, natural gas or propane) or, in some instances, wood. More advanced,
non-combustion systems operate by transferring or moving heat from one location
to another.
Until the last few years, combustion-based systems have been the preferred
heating systems for home and business owners because of their moderate
installation and operating costs, and wide availability in the market place.
Unfortunately, there are a number of serious safety and related maintenance
concerns with these systems.
Some combustion-based systems present an explosion hazard if the storage or
delivery of their fuel is not carefully controlled. Explosions due to
improperly installed or maintained gas pipes and delivery systems are often in
the news. Since these systems require a flame to operate, failures or improper
installation of system components (for example, heat exchanger, damper,
chimney, or flue) can result in property loss to fire. Fortunately, smoke
detectors have saved many lives that might have been lost to fires caused by
combustion-based heating systems.
In addition to heat, combustion-based heating systems also create
by-products such as carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a result of the
incomplete burning of fuel in combustion-based systems. Incorrectly installed
systems, chimneys that are blocked by birds nests, or downdrafting can cause
carbon monoxide to remain inside of buildings. This is especially dangerous in
modern, well-sealed buildings, where it is difficult for outside combustion air
to reach the furnace, and where carbon monoxide can be trapped and build up
over time. Furnaces, water heaters, and other appliances must be properly
vented outside.
Combustion-based systems that deliver heat through ducts present occasional
"blasts" of hot air. This not only reduces comfort directly, but
tends to dehumidify the air. The addition of a central humidifier (with its
associated installation, operating, and maintenance costs) can correct this
humidity problem.
Combustion based central heating systems are often coupled with
low-efficiency central air conditioners. This raises installation and operating
costs significantly, while adding an entirely separate unit to be maintained.
Non-combustion or heat transfer systems include heat pumps and geoexchange
systems. Heat pumps operate by capturing heat from outdoor air and transferring
it inside of a home or business. geoexchange systems capture and transfer heat
from the earth.
Nearly all heat transfer systems can be reversed, providing central cooling
as well as heating. Some heat pumps and most geoexchange systems also provide
domestic hot water at low operating costs.
Beginning in the 1970s, air-source heat pumps came into common use. They
have the advantage of no combustion, and thus no possibility of indoor
pollutants like carbon monoxide. Heat pumps provide central air conditioning as
well as heating as a matter of course. And they are installation-cost
competitive with a central combustion furnace/central air conditioner combination.
Heat pumps operate by moving or transferring heat, rather than creating it.
During the summer, a heat pump captures heat from inside a home or business and
transfers it to the outdoor air through a condensing unit. During the winter,
the process is reversed. Heat is captured from outdoor air, compressed, and
released inside.
Much less electricity is used to move heat rather than create it, making
heat pumps more economical than resistance heating. However, in all but the
most moderate climates, the heating ability of the heat pump is limited by
freezing outdoor temperatures. So electric resistance heat is used to
supplement outdoor-air-source heat pump during the coldest weather, preventing
"cold blow."
Depending on climate, air-source heat pumps (including their supplementary
resistance heat) are about 1.5 to 3 times more efficient than resistance
heating alone. Operating efficiency has improved since the 70s, making their
operating cost generally competitive with combustion-based systems, depending
on local fuel prices. With their outdoor unit subject to weathering, some
maintenance should be expected.
www.bilkargroup.com
www.bilkarsogutma.com.tr
info@bilkargroup.com
+90 212 343 50 40
+90 553 343 50 40
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