Radiant floor heating has become a popular solution to cold tile, icy driveways and home saunas. This type of heating system is installed beneath the floor and is controlled by a thermostat that you set, turn on, or turn off. The idea was dragged inside from the concept of heated driveways and has added new

What you must understand about heating and cooling units is that they have to meet certain codes, which require certain permits and proper installation. The professionals understand the codes and how to go expediently about the process of acquiring permits. However, if you happen to be familiar with the codes and permits, and you already

Unlike central air, baseboard heaters warm up a room by using a more efficient and cost-effective distribution method. Like a radiator, these metal units warm up the air around it by emitting heat, but they can still be controlled by a thermostat. Located along the bottom of wall, baseboard heaters use a convection system that

Boiler and radiator heating systems are already green in many respects, since they are one of the cleanest heating systems around when it comes to fostering good indoor air quality a big plus in green remodeling circles. Nevertheless, your system can still benefit from going green, especially when it comes to reducing your home heating

Have you ever rushed in from the winter cold and felt that first blast of warm air as you open your door, only to find yourself tired and losing focus an hour later? You sit down on your couch or recliner and reach for a blanket because your feet are cold. You lean back and

Theres no simple way to tell you how much you should spend on a furnace unit, until there is an evaluation of your specific situation, including where you live, the size of your home, and your financial resources. Thats why its best to talk to a local contractor before you make any decisions. The best

Air conditioner maintenance is an absolutely vital piece of home maintenance. It increases the likelihood that your cooling system will run uninterrupted throughout the summer, that any needed repairs will have a reasonable price tag, and that your system will operate at its optimal level of energy-efficiency. Its also a piece of home maintenance thats

You know you want to make your air conditioning system more energy-efficient, but the cost of removing and installing an entirely new system can often be prohibitively expensive. If this is the case, you should be looking at auxiliary installations that can work in conjunction with your current system, improving performance without the expense of

When cold weather turns warm, it feels nice. When warm weather turns hot, it might not feel so pleasant. You can always go for the comfort of your air conditioner, but if it isnt working, youll end up feeling the heat.

Once a year, your furnace needs inspecting and servicing. Skipping this can cause it to fail and leave you cold, or it can cause deadly carbon monoxide to fill your home. The good news is that you can do a lot of the maintenance yourself.

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Heating & Cooling Resources - HomeAdvisor

C & G Heating and Cooling has been serving the St. Louis area for over 25 years. Our philosophy has been to always provide excellent service with one thing in mind: the customer. We believe that customer service should prevail on each and every service call. We believe in excellent service and craftsmanship so much that we offer the Best Guarantees in the industry, and we put them in writing. Our qualified technicians are continually trained in all of the latest technologies in the heating and cooling industry. Plus, our Comfort Specialists are experts in analyzing your entire home to make sure your furnace, air conditioner or heat pump delivers the very best in comfort and efficiency. We offer the following services:

C & G also understands that air conditioner, furnace, or boiler issues are unplanned expenses. That is why we offer flexible payment options. Financing is offered by Wells Fargo with approved credit. You may click here to apply for financing.

C & Gs No Credit Check Program is through Paramount Payment call today for details.

We have also achieved the elite status of being a Trane Comfort Specialist Dealer, which means we have gone through the most extensive training to be able to service and install Trane products. Our technicians have over 100 years of cumulative experience in repairing and installing heating and cooling equipment. C&G also stands behind all of our work with the most comprehensive guarantees in the industry. Our goal is to always provide the best in air conditioner and furnace repairs and installations.

This is the time of year where its important to have your air conditioner operating at its peak efficiency. We all know the hot St. Louis summer is right around the corner, so now is the time to have your air conditioner tuned up. An air conditioning maintenance plan can >> Read More

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C & G Heating and Cooling - Repair | Heat Pump | Install

Melbourne temperatures climb towards unbearable levels during the summer months. This along with energy sapping humidity is enough to drive anybody insane.

Consumers throughout Victoria are looking for affordable solutions without compromising on quality. While prices are a major deciding factor among consumers, they also want their interiors to look great,and keep the air fresh and healthy.

Mode Heating & Cooling proudly tick all the boxes by offering customised solutions to your temperature problems.

We have experience working with some of the best brands in the industry. We are therefore the go-to-guys for the installation of all of the big names in Melbourne. We can walk you through our entire range, ensuring that youre getting the perfect solution for your home or office.

Braemar are the creators of the worlds first 6 star energy rating unit, and the worlds first 7 star energy unit. Braemar cooling is renowned in the industry for quality, reliability and efficiency.

Braemar heating provides a soothing, natural heat, that makes your home a pleasure to live in. We are happy to walk you through our extensive range of Braemar products, and can inform you on which unit is best suited for you and your family.

The Brivis range of heating and cooling solutions for the home and office have made them a household name across Australia. Brivis heating systems are also proven to have saved many Victorians a great deal on their gas bills, thanks to their fantastic heat transfer technology.

We know Brivis products like the back of our hands, and can guide you towards the product that will benefit you the most. Brivis also has a number of fantastic deals, and at Mode we pass on these deals with our unbeatable quotes throughout all suburbs of Melbourne.

Bonaires heating and cooling units have had a place in Australian homes for years. Renowned for their affordability and reliability throughout the seasons, Bonaire represents some of the best heating and cooling systems around.

Bonaire heating units are designed to be compatible with any house size, and their easy installation means you can escape the winter cold quickly. Bonaire cooling units have also kept households comfortable throguhout the summer seasons. We can provide you with affordable Bonaire products, and can install them promptly and hassle-free.

Call our friendly, professional staff in Melbourne today on 03 9308 9965. We are looking forward to providing the perfect solution for you!

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Mode Heating & Cooling | Bonaire | Braemar | Brivis

The Economic Stimulus Recovery act of 2009 removed the cap on residential geothermal heat pump systems. Homeowners can now receive a federal tax incentive equal to 30% the cost of a qualified geothermal heat pump system. See our System Pricing for more information.

The design and installation of geothermal systems are not do it yourself projects and therefore require the services of a professional. In addition, the integration of geothermal exchange systems with other systems in a home requires special expertise. Geothermal heating system price varies depending on the type of loop system, usually either vertical or horizontal. On average, a typical home of 2500 square feet, with a heating load of 60,000 BTU and a cooling load of 60,000 BTU will cost between $20,000 to $25,000 to install. This is around double the cost of a conventional heating, cooling, and hot water system, but geothermal heating/cooling systems can reduce utility bills by 40% to 60%.

The payback for a system can range from 2-10 years, while the lifetime of a system can be 18-23 years, almost double a conventional system. Additionally renewable energy systems add value to the equity of your home. There are US tax rebates for energy efficiency improvements, including a 30% federal tax credit, and many state and utility companies offer incentives. Visit the Database for State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency at http://www.dsireusa.org to find incentives in your area.

Because of the upfront cost for installing geothermal heat pump systems, it is very common to finance these systems. Monthly payments for financing a geothermal system are very reasonable and can actually save a homeowner money as soon as the system is installed. Two examples of financing are listed below. For more information, including information on incentives and integrated systems cost, visit our web page on System Pricing.

Example 1 Project Cost: $25,000 Rebate / Down Payment: $5,000 Amount Financed: $20,000 Interest Rate: 7.99% Term: 240 Months Payment: $166.00

Example 2 Project Cost: $15,000 Rebate / Down Payment: $0 Amount Financed: $15,000 Interest Rate: 8.99% Term: 180 Months Payment: $142.50

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How Geothermal Heat Pumps Work Types of Ground Loops Benefits and Efficiency of Geothermal Heat Pumps

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Geothermal Heat Pumps: Cost and Installation

If you have had expensive repair bills and breakdowns in the past couple of years? Your old unit isn't quite keeping up with your indoor comfort? Maybe it's time to start thinking of upgrading your old worn out air conditioning system. Click on image to see Concord cooling products.

We have you covered with the experience and products to correctly evaluate what you need to keep you cool on those hot summer days. We can also recommend the right-sized equipment and then handle everything for your installation. Since you never know when your equipment might take a turn for the worst, you may want to think about it now. If your air conditioning system is more than 10 years old, it may be time to think about upgrading your home's summer comfort system. Units of today are more efficient and are safer for the environment. The units of yesterday are inefficient, costly to fix and could be costing you on your electric bills.

At Cam's Heating and Cooling we believe in giving you a system that will give you the perfect comfort for your home. When you are at that time to buy a new central air conditioning system, it is so important to properly size the equipment. If you were to size a system to small, it would not adequately cool your home. If you were to size a system to large it would cycle to frequently (turning on and off) which would wear out your equipment quicker and lead to higher energy costs. A properly sized unit will cycle a couple of times an hour (pending on the load) and will give you dry cool air. To find out what size unit is proper for your home we need to know a couple of things. Your basic square footage of your home, year that the home was constructed, the amount of windows ( age and placement ), how much insulation is in your home, location of your home and when or if you have made any improvements to your home. Cam's Heating and Cooling can also assist you in picking out what efficiency would help you get the most out of your air conditioning system and help to save on energy cost.

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Welcome to Riley Heating & Cooling

We Fix. Replace. Finance. Rent to Own

Mr. Jack Riley first opened the doors of Riley Heating & Cooling in 1934. Since then, we have furthered his commitment of honest and expert service in the Melrose Park area, extending coverage to Oak Park, River Forest, Elmhurst, Elmwood Park, Riverside, La Grange Park & La Grange, IL. Having met exceptionally high standards for unmatched skills, products and workmanship, we have been distinguished as a Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer. In addition, Riley Heating & Cooling has been honored four years in a row by being named to the Circle of Champions by Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems. We are a member of ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America), which consists of over 4,000 air conditioning contractors working to improve the industry, promote integrity and maintain, safe, healthy and comfortable homes. As a member of the Better Business Bureau, Riley Heating & Cooling has earned the Complaint Free Award and was awarded the prestigious Angies List Super Service Award.

Part of the community

Riley Heating & Cooling has a long history in the Melrose Park area and a strong sense of responsibility to our community. We deliver trustworthy solutions to the most complex comfort issues at fair prices, and strive to give back to our friends and neighbors. Through our involvement with a goodwill campaign called Comfort to the People, we have helped provide more than fifty local families who are in need with free furnaces installed in their home.

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Riley Heating & Cooling is a full-service HVAC provider. Our NATE-certified technicians specialize in reliable installation, maintenance and repair of heating, cooling and air cleaning systems. As a member of the Comfort24-7 Network, we guarantee everything we do prior, during and after any sale or service. Our team of comfort specialists is background checked, drug screened, factory trained and committed to customer satisfaction, ensuring you the best investment of your HVAC dollar. For all of your home comfort needs, call Riley Heating & Cooling and speak to a friendly member of our team.

A correctly working HVAC system keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer, with good airflow and proper humidity levels. For that to happen, the entire system has to be well designed, made up of quality products and professionally installed by knowledgeable HVAC service professionals. Riley Heating & Cooling has been providing HVAC repair, installation and maintenance services in neighborhoods near the west suburbs of Chicago: Berkeley, Elmhurst, Elmwood Park, Forest Park, Hillside, Hinsdale, La Grange, La Grange Park, Oak Brook, Oak Brook Terrace, Oak Park, Park Ridge, Riverside, River Forest, Westchester, and Western Springs since 1934. As a factory-authorized Bryant service provider, we have access to great HVAC products at great prices, and we stand behind all of our residential work with a two-year satisfaction guarantee.

Its stressful when your HVAC system goes down. Suddenly, youre under pressure to track down a reputable HVAC service professional thats available on short notice. But you dont need to look any further than Riley, and heres why:

It takes a lot of knowledge and experience to correctly design and install an HVAC system. One of the most important elements is the size of the equipment. Units that are too big or too small for the space lead to ongoing problems with humidity, wear and tear, and energy efficiency. Whether your project is new construction or a replacement system, our NATE-certified HVAC service professionals will make sure that you get the right product for your needs.

The Riley Advantage

With eight decades in business, independently owned Riley Heating & Cooling has seen it all and repaired it all. Were proud to be one of Chicagos top-rated HVAC service professionals, and our complaint-free history with the Better Business Bureau is proof of our dedication to excellence.Contact us today to find out how our professional service professionals can help you with your HVAC repair or installation project. We want you to rely on Riley.

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Riley Heating and Cooling

When selecting an HVAC company in San Jose, there's a lot to consider. Think about your home's year round comfort you'll want to work with experts who can keep you and your family warm in winter and cool and comfortable in summer. A1 Heating and Cooling can ensure not only your comfort but also help protect your home from invasion of cold air and humidity. Our whole home audits can identify areas where you can save energy and make your indoor space more comfortable and healthier for everyone.

We encourage you to call us today at 408-645-0039 to learn more about our HVAC services. You'll be delighted at how our technicians will help you feel better and save money too!

A1 is proud to be staffed with the best heating repair technicians. We have the expertise and skills to maintain, diagnose, and repair any and all type of furnaces

A1 provides the best services for you and your home all year round. We work hard to stay the leading HVAC contractor for your central air conditioning needs.

Repairing or replacing your heater or air conditioner can be a very costly and frustrating process. We are fully licensed and staffed HVAC contractor that service your area

Whether you are looking to install brand new gutters in your home or repair your old ones. A1 can repair existing gutters or simply install new ones.

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A-1 Heating and Cooling

At Reliable Heating & Cooling, Inc., we work hard to earn your lifetime business. Through dedicated customer service, skilled workmanship, and top quality products, 314-513-0385 is the only number youll ever need for complete comfort. We provide precision installation, replacement, seasonal maintenance, and prompt repair of heating, cooling, air quality, and water heating systems, answering every residential and commercial challenge. Our NATE certified technicians are committed to providing solutions quickly, as well as ensuring sustainable performance and lasting satisfaction. Home and business owners in West St Louis & St Charles Counties turn to Reliable Heating & Cooling, Inc. to improve their everyday life.

The team from Reliable Heating & Cooling, Inc. is always on call to assist you in times of trouble. We provide Emergency Service across St Charles, O'Fallon, St Peters, Wentzville & Lake St Louis, MO, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, along with convenient appointment times during regular business hours. No matter what type challenge you may face or requirement you may have, our specialists arrive equipped to handle the job. We maximize your satisfaction through rapid response, economical solutions, conscientious workmanship, and neat and tidy job sites.

Reliable Heating & Cooling, Inc. is accredited with the Better Business Bureau, and an Angies List Super Service Award Winner. Established in 1972, we specialize in green energy efficient products, helping our customers achieve their goals for lower operational costs and environmental responsibility. As a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer, we are uniquely qualified to match your specific requirements and install the most innovative and advanced options on the market. For year round convenience, comfort, and control over your indoor environment, contact the professionals from Reliable Heating & Cooling, Inc.. We are the name you can trust.

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Heating Service O'Fallon, Air Conditioning Installation St ...

At AIRQUIP Heating and Air Conditioning we strive for excellence in both craftsmanship and customer service. Since 1995, we have been an HVAC contractor in Rochester, NY that customers give positive testimonials about the quality and mannerism in which we complete their installation, service repair or other work we do for them. We have trained professional technicians who install and service the quality products that we carry.

Give us a call today to schedule your FREE estimate on new equipment or a service call for your existing equipment.

Whether it is in your home or at the office, as a leading HVAC Contractor in Rochester, NY,AIRQUIP Heating and Air Conditioning can provide you comfort in your indoor environment. We carry energy efficient equipment that heats and cools the air to maintain a comfortable temperature inside, no matter what the weather brings outside. Ask us about our indoor air quality products that can maintain a safe and healthy environment inside your home.

With the cold weather outside we wanted to highlight the product that keeps most us in Rochester, NY warm all winter long. Gas Forced Air Furnaces are in over 70% of the homes throughout Rochester and we partner with the best brands in the industry to make sure we have a replacement furnace that best suits you and your home's needs. Schedule a Free In-Home Estimate today with one of our comfort consultants to see what furnace will best suit your home and when we can get you switched to a high efficient furnace that can keep your home comfortable while saving you money on your next utility bill.

We have the largest stock of TRANE Parts and Equipment in Rochester, NY. We are your source for Trane OEM replacement parts and accessories. We can provide the right product for your needs and we honor Trane manufacturer warranties. Give us a call today or visit our parts counter to find out if we have what you need.

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Airquip Heating - AC & Heating Install & Repair Services

Very little energy is needed to make a well-designed house comfortable. Appropriate insulation, which is essential for a comfortable house, combined with passive solar design and a draught-proofed building, can create low or even no energy requirements for heating and cooling (see Passive solar heating; Insulation). Highly efficient homes with no heating or cooling input are possible across much of Australia.

Even for existing homes there are many ways to reduce energy bills, improve comfort and help the environment. The principles of thermal comfort and the importance of air movement, humidity and radiant heat are explained in the section Passive design.

Projected average home energy use in 2012 actual energy use varies from state to state (particularly with climate) and from home to home depending on the heating and cooling systems in the home and how they are used.

Household energy use

%

Source: DEWHA. 2008

Heating and cooling

40

Water heating

21

Appliances and equipment including refrigeration and cooking

33

Lighting

6

Never use mechanical heating and cooling as a substitute for good design. However, for existing homes, installation of high efficiency heating and cooling technologies, with modest building improvements and behaviour change, may be cheaper options to reduce energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions than major home renovations.

Your money is better invested in an energy efficient building than spent on heating and cooling.

At 40% of household energy use, heating and cooling are together the largest energy user in the average Australian home (DEWHA 2008). However, since most home heating uses gas, heating is responsible for a lower proportion of energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions than its share of energy use suggests.

Use passive design principles to increase comfort and reduce the need for heating. Insulate the roof, walls and floor, seal off draughts, let in winter sun and draw curtains at night. Zone your existing or new home and only heat the rooms you are using; use doors to prevent heat escaping into unused rooms (see Passive design).

The two main types of heating are radiant and convective.

Radiant heaters predominantly heat people and objects by direct radiation of heat. Convective heaters warm and circulate the air in a room.

Other forms of heating, such as heated floors, also heat by conduction through direct contact.

Different forms of heating are best in different circumstances:

Heaters produce air movement as hot air rises and then falls as it cools.

All heaters produce air movement as the hot air rises from the heater to the ceiling. Air is cooled when in contact with windows and poorly insulated walls and ceilings. The cooled air falls and is drawn back along the floor to the heater.

Sitting in draughts created by air movement can make you feel much colder. Minimise draughts from windows and use heavy curtains with snug pelmets or other ways of preventing air flow through gaps at the top and sides of window coverings to stop convection and radiant heat loss. Always consider appropriate clothing to stay warm and reduce the effects of draughts. Position your furniture to deflect or avoid draughts.

Position your heater and furniture to deflect and avoid draughts.

Choosing a correctly sized heater (and cooler) is very important. Do not install an oversized heater, as you will be wasting money on buying a bigger heater than you need and wasting energy/money in operating it. Expert advice helps make sure you are choosing a correctly sized heater.

An oversized heater wastes money and energy.

Gas heaters and efficient reverse cycle air conditioners (or heat pumps) produce only one-third the greenhouse gas emissions of standard electric heaters. The most efficient 56 star reverse cycle units actually produce less than one-fifth of the emissions of conventional electric heaters.

Gas heaters and reverse cycle air conditioners have Energy Rating Labels to help you choose the most efficient model.

Wood can be an excellent fuel because it is a renewable resource if sustainably harvested. However, do not use wood fired heaters in urban areas because of the air pollution they create, and the emissions associated with transporting firewood to urban areas.

About 10% of homes use wood for heating but the wood is often obtained from unsustainable sources. Use only sustainably harvested wood to avoid habitat destruction and rare species extinction.

Do not use treated timbers, which may give off toxic pollutants when burned.

Burn wood only in airtight, slow combustion heaters. They have the highest energy efficiency of wood heaters, and use the least wood and cost the least to run. Careful operation of wood heaters is also critical to limiting air pollution. Use seasoned wood and dont add large loads of wood just before turning the heater right down. Do not use illegally modified heaters, adjusted to burn overnight.

Choosing whether to heat your whole house or only the required rooms or spaces has a major influence on the greenhouse impact of your home. In a house with central heating, the greenhouse emissions and costs of running it are usually higher than running efficient space heating.

Central heating can often heat a whole house whether individual rooms are occupied or not. Space heaters usually only heat the room or area where the heater is installed.

For an energy efficient house, use space heating only in rooms that require heating or use a zoned central heater to reduce running costs.

Heat only the rooms that are being used.

Answer the following questions before buying a heater:

The Choice online guide (www.choice.com.au) helps work out which heater is right for your home. Seek expert advice to find a system most suited for your application.

Central heating usually uses more energy than space heating as more of the house tends to be heated. However, an energy efficient house with central heating may use less energy than an inefficient house with space heating. Several types of central heating are available.

Many central heaters have high energy losses from the heat distribution systems, usually through ducts or hot water pipes. They should be as short as possible and well-insulated (at least R1.5 for ducts and 25mm of pipe insulation). Fans and pumps can also be costly to run. When heating requirements are low, distribution losses can be the main contributor to heating costs.

In well-insulated houses with solar gain to some rooms, a central thermostat may not provide comfort throughout: some rooms may have higher heat losses and cool down faster than the rest of the house.

In ducted systems, hot air is circulated through roof or underfloor ducts, supplying convective heat. Gas or a reverse cycle air conditioner can be the heat source.

Design the system so that the extent of the area heated can be controlled and include zoning to allow for shutting off heating to unoccupied areas. Ducted systems should be designed and installed by accredited experts.

Ensure the ducted system is sized for the house. New, energy efficient houses that meet the requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) require less heating and smaller capacity heating equipment.

Ducts should be the correct size and have adjustable outlets (registers). Ducts need to be larger if also used for cooling.

Insulate ducts to at least R1.5 and make sure all joints are well sealed. (see Insulation)

Floor outlets are often better than ceiling outlets for heating, as warm air naturally rises and they deliver heat to where it is most needed. Well-designed ceiling outlets can work well particularly when rooms are sealed from draughts to the outdoors. Cold air entering under outside-facing doors can form a layer above the floor and stop the less dense warm air from ceiling vents heating the air near the floor, creating a cold feetwarm head problem.

A return air path from every outlet back to the central system is very important. Without it the warm air escapes and the system sucks cold air in, dramatically reducing its effectiveness. In each room that has a duct outlet installed, a gap under the door between the room and the central return air inlet creates a return path.

In ducted gas systems, a fan moves the air around the home, using electricity as well as gas. High efficiency ducted gas systems use more efficient motors/fans, and control the fan speed, to reduce electric running costs.

Hydronic systems circulate hot water or coolant through radiator panels in rooms, supplying a mix of convective and radiant heat.

Hydronic systems are usually gas fired but can be heated by a wood fired heater, solar system or heat pump. Solar systems can use gas or wood heating as a back-up. These systems have the advantage of adaptability to energy sources as energy markets change.

Each panel or room should have its own control.

Low water content systems are best as they reduce energy use. Ensure water circulation pipes are well insulated, and smart controls manage pump usage. Higher running costs are usually caused by unnecessary water circulation or poor pipe insulation.

Exterior walls behind panels must also be insulated to prevent heat loss to the outside. Use wall cavity insulation or a layer of installed reflective foil on the internal wall behind the panel. Ideally all exterior walls should be insulated to maximise comfort from the heating system, especially in a new home or major renovation.

Concrete floors can be used to store heat from off-peak electric cables or hydronic pipes set into the slab. They are installed during building construction or renovation. (see Concrete slab floors)

Slab insulation is very important, so that heat from the slab does not leak into nearby cold, wet earth. Insulate slab edges, and ideally the entire slab, from the ground to minimise heat loss. Insulate walls from the slab to reduce heat loss.

Electric in-slab heating generally has the highest greenhouse gas emissions of any heating system. As electricity prices have increased, in-slab heating costs have also increased.

The best in-floor system for minimising greenhouse gas emissions is a hydronic system using one of the following:

In-slab systems provide a combination of radiant, convective and conductive heat. They are slow to warm and cool due to the high thermal mass of the slab and are therefore unsuitable for houses where heating is only needed occasionally and in changeable weather. They are ideal as back-up for passive solar heating of thermal mass on cloudy or extremely cold days but use caution if you heat the slab then the ability to store heat from passive solar gain is reduced.

Avoid heating areas of the slab exposed to the sun in winter.

Heating zones and thermostats are essential to reduce energy use. Slab heating running costs are particularly sensitive to air leakage through gaps.

The central heating comparison table assumes well designed and efficiently operated systems and gives general running costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Obtain expert advice before making decisions on the type best for you.

System type

Running cost

Greenhouse gas emissions

High efficiency ducted natural gas

Low

Low

Hydronic zoned natural gas or heat pump

Low

Low

Ducted reverse cycle or heat pump

Medium

Medium (low with green/renewable electricity source)

Hydronic zoned with wood/solar heat source

Low

Very low (if from a renewable resource and seasoned wood)

In-slab high off-peak electric

Mediumhigh

Very high (low with green/renewable electricity source)

These devices heat a smaller area one or perhaps two rooms and come in a wide range of types.

Electric portable heaters can be cheap to buy but are expensive to run and sometimes ineffective.

Heaters that dont rely on fans and do not reach high temperatures are more suited to bedrooms, as they are less likely to overheat and cause fires if clothes are accidentally placed on them. All electric heaters should have a safety cut-out to avoid overheating.

Electric systems may produce high greenhouse gas emissions up to six times as much as an efficient gas heater. However, using a small electric heater for local heating may be cheaper and have lower emissions than heating a much larger area with gas. Offset electricity greenhouse emissions by using 100% GreenPower.

Offset electricity greenhouse emissions by using 100% GreenPower.

Reverse cycle air conditioning (or heat pumps) provides convective heat and is the most energy efficient electric heater. The most efficient 56 star units may be cheaper to run and generate lower greenhouse gas emissions than gas heaters. Visit the Energy Rating website (www.energyrating.gov.au) to find the most efficient reverse cycle air conditioners.

Wall panel convectors use peak electricity and are expensive to run, like portable electric heaters.

Off-peak electric storage heaters provide a mix of radiant and convective heat. They use bricks to store heat produced overnight using off-peak electricity. Unless carefully controlled they can lead to overheating in milder weather, and they continuously leak heat, so their overall efficiency in intermittently used spaces is low.

Unflued portable heaters can provide either convective or radiant heat and run on natural gas or LPG.

Adequate ventilation is needed to maintain good air quality, which can significantly reduce efficiency. An efficient externally flued heater is usually preferable but may not always be an option, particularly for tenants. In these cases units are available that burn more cleanly, producing lower combustion emissions and requiring less ventilation.

Unflued gas heaters often create condensation problems usually at the opposite (coolest) end of the house. Take care to ensure they dont lead to mould growth.

The use of unflued heaters is restricted in some states because of their associated indoor air pollution hazard, which can cause health problems. Check your state or territory regulations for details.

Wall units and floor consoles can provide convective and/or radiant heat, and usually have fans to circulate hot air. Most are flued, requiring less ventilation and producing fewer condensation problems.

Gas fixed heaters usually have fans to circulate hot air.

Some fixed gas heaters use fan-powered flues or balanced flues: they draw in outdoor air, heat it, then return it outdoors. Other gas heaters use indoor air for combustion, and rely on flues to remove the waste gases from the house. In well-sealed houses, there is a risk that exhaust gases can be drawn back into the house through exhaust fans, such as kitchen range hoods or bathroom exhaust fans, creating health and safety risks.

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