There are two types of home heating and your home is probably equipped with one of them. You either have forced air or radiant heat. Most older homes have radiant heat unless they have been updated. Radiant heated homes are much more energy efficient and easier to maintain than the other. This heating system works by heating water that then runs through the radiators in your home.
The hot water in the radiator causes it to heat up, this then generates warm air surrounding the radiator. A heating cycle moves warm air surrounding the radiator that then creates a small air flow. When the furnace is turned off, the water is still warm and continues to heat the house for a while longer.
The main problem with this heating system is that if you are cold, you can not just turn on the furnace and get instant heat. However, when your system starts to run and your radiators start heating up, you can stand beside one to get warm. You can not really do that with the forced air system unless you plan to sit on the air vent. This can be dangerous if you are not careful. The same can be said for radiators as well.
The maintenance on a boiler system is easier than the forced air system. A radiant heat system has very little maintenance involved with its upkeep. You should never shut down your furnace. Unless there is a safety reason or you will be gone away for several months.
If you let your system run all year long, you will use very little extra gas for the pilot light. You should also examine your piping at least once a year. All this calls for is looking at the radiators and piping around the furnace and checking for leaks. If you find any leaking areas they need to be replaced immediately.
After you have checked for any leaks you should bleed the radiators yearly. This can be done more than once a year but once should be enough. Before you start anything you will need to make sure the system pressure is in the recommended range. You will then need to take the square shaped key that is used for bleeding the radiator.
Go to the radiator in the house furthest from the furnace. Place the square key on the bleeding valve on top of the radiator. You will then need to turn it until air or water comes out. When nothing but water comes out, you can turn the key back and make sure the valve is closed.
Once you are done with the first radiator you will have to continue this process with the rest of the radiators in the house. Now that you have bled the radiators and checked the system s pipes, you are done for the year. This is a great heating system that is energy efficient and will save you lots of money. Keep a check on your radiators for leaks and you should have a heated home with very little maintenance.
Author Resource:-
Annie is an expert furniture and interior design writer.
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