What is a warm-air heating system?
A warm air heating system uses heat from the outside air to heat the air and then the warm air is circulated through ducts, vents, and grills that are found throughout the house.
Warm air heating systems are an efficient choice for well-insulated single-story homes such as flats or bungalows whereas they can also be used to heat commercial properties with a wired thermostat that is used to manage them.
Warm air heating systems are an increasingly popular choice for homeowners wanting to invest in a more environmentally-friendly options such as electric boilers or oil boilers that can reduce their energy bills and these systems can be costly and disruptive.
Not all warm-air heating systems have heated domestic water and there are many types of warm air systems, however, each has its pros and cons., so let’s take a closer look.
Types of Warm Air Heating Systems
Gas-fired
The system pulls in air from the outside, warms it with a gas flame, and then circulates it throughout the house through vents, ducts or grills that are located in different rooms.
Air Source Heat pumps
This system heats your home by extracting heat from the ambient air. In cold weather, they can struggle with warm air central heating.
Ground Source Heat Pump
Pipes are underground and heat is constant. As air passes through them, it is heated up and distributed throughout the house.
Hybrid Heat Pump
The hybrid heat pump works in conjunction with a boiler. It can be set manually or automatically. You can reduce carbon emissions by using a hybrid heat pump and a boiler to alternate between them.
Warm air heating pros:
Heating systems with lower running costs can have up to 18% less than others.
You can reduce your domestic carbon footprint by as high as 50% to 60%
There are domestic grants that the UK government can provide to help with heating systems.
These systems eliminate the need to use radiators by using wall ducts and vents as well as grills.
Modern Gas Fired warm air heating systems are quieter than older air conditioning systems.
A heat-pump is an externally installed heating system that is connected to your home. It emits no more sound than a refrigerator’s hum.
Modern systems often have electronic controls, such as thermostats. These control the temperature and energy consumption.
Electronic filtration can be used to remove 95% of airborne particles and irritants.
Cons – Downsides to warm air heaters
One problem with most heat pumps is their inability to heat domestic water. You may have to use a boiler, an immersion heater or a hybrid heat pump.
Installing a warm air unit can be expensive upfront. To qualify for a grant from the government, you will need to follow certain guidelines and hire an approved installer.
The government does not grant subsidies for air to heat pumps.
Only a handful of manufacturers and installers exist, so options and prices are limited.
Ground heat source pumps can be disruptive because trenches must be dug from the outside, so you will need to have a garden and underground pipework.
Between 4oC to -3oC, air source heat pumps lose efficiency and use more energy to extract useful heat.
Retrofitting an older system to an older house can be difficult and leave unsightly vents and conduits.
Warm air heaters can be used to transport pollen and dust throughout your home for those with allergies or other breathing problems.
Warm air heating system vs new gas boiler
A warm air heating system can be a great investment for your home, as we have already discussed. There are some drawbacks to this type of heating.
Warm air systems are expensive and not suitable for all homes. For example, a ground source heat pump requires a garden. Upgrading a warm air heating system may be an option for newly constructed homes that are well-insulated.
The gas boiler is still the most effective and popular form of heating. While gas central heating is best suited for smaller homes, it can also provide the most efficient heating system for larger houses. Gas boilers can heat and provide hot water.
They are also easy to control and use. They are also up to 94% efficient which can help reduce your carbon footprint. Smart technology, such as smart thermostats or smart meters, can increase the efficiency of gas central heating.
New central heating system installations can be done quickly and easily, depending on how complex the job is. There are many gas boilers on the market. They come in a wide variety of sizes, brands, and models.
Technology is rapidly improving and energy efficiency becoming more important. It is probable that other heating methods will be more popular in the UK, especially since there is a possible gas boiler ban. The industry is currently discussing the possibility of electric boilers, hydrogen boilers, and return to ground source heat pump and air source heat pump options.
