What Are the Different Types of Heating Systems? (2024 Guide)

Before you rush out to purchase a new home heating system, you should take some time to understand your options. There are more home heating options today than ever before, and understanding the pros and cons of each will help you get the right system for your home.

In this article, we break down the seven most common types of home heating systems, from baseboards to radiant floor heating and everything in between. We compare each system based on how much it costs to install, maintenance costs, efficiency, and more. Once you’ve chosen the type of heating and furnace brand you want, you can use our convenient tool to find an HVAC company near you to install it.

7 Common Types of Heating Systems

There are seven common types of heating systems that you’re likely to encounter in residential settings:

• Baseboard Heating
• Boiler or Radiator Heating
• Ductless Mini-Split
• Electric Space Heater
• Forced Air Heating
• Heat Pump
• Radiant Floor Heating

The following sections will cover each system individually, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages, as well as explaining what types of homes they work well in and who we recommend them for. Let’s get started.

Baseboard Heating

Baseboard heating uses floorboards installed throughout a home to supply heat via a network of pipes or electric heating elements. In both cases, heating elements heat up the air around them, which circulates throughout the room via convection. In some cases, it may be necessary to improve the air circulation in your home to get the most out of baseboard heating.

Another advantage to baseboard heating is that it is inexpensive. Installing baseboard heating is more affordable than installing a ductless mini-split or a heat pump; cleaning baseboard heating is easy, and it costs less to maintain.

The video below includes information about what a baseboard heating system is and how it works:

Boiler or Radiator Heating

Boiler or radiator heating uses a centralized water boiler to create hot water or steam that is then used to heat your home. Hot water or steam is circulated through a series of pipes to radiators or baseboard heaters located in rooms throughout your home.

The radiators and baseboards heat up the air before returning to the boiler to be reheated. You might hear systems that use hot water to carry the heat called hydronic systems, but it only refers to the fact that they’re using water.

These systems are reliable and provide consistent heating throughout your home, but they’re not as efficient as some modern options, like heat pumps. Boilers and radiators are more affordable to install than a full heat pump system but are more expensive than installing electric baseboard heating. The typical cost to replace a gas boiler is $4,000-$7,000 or between $3,000-$5,000 to replace an oil boiler, depending on size and labor.

The video below explains how this type of heating system works:

Ductless Mini-Split

Ductless mini-splits are modern heating systems that use electricity to heat your home. One of the main benefits of ductless mini-splits is right in the name: they don’t require behind-the-wall duct systems. This makes them more affordable to install than a heat pump and air duct system and significantly easier to maintain.

Mini-splits also have a major advantage over the heating systems we have covered so far: they can also cool your home when it’s hot outside. Ductless mini-splits use an indoor air handler and evaporator coil together with an outdoor compressor and condenser coil to move heat around as needed. Unfortunately, mini-splits are not very energy-efficient when the temperature outside drops below freezing, so they’re usually used as part of a hybrid heating system that uses a single thermostat to control a furnace or boiler.

We recommend ductless mini-splits for a wide range of homeowners, but especially those who live in moderate climates. Ductless mini-splits are not as affordable as the cheapest baseboard setups, but they’re more affordable than heat pumps—and their energy efficiency will save you money on electricity bills.

The video below explains how ductless mini-splits work in your home:

Electric Space Heater

Electric space heaters are low-powered portable appliances that can be used to take the chill out of a room but shouldn’t be used as a primary means of heating your home. They work well in warmer climates where you don’t need much heating, even during the winter.

Space heaters are inefficient, which makes them much more expensive to run than a proper whole-house heating solution. If you’re looking for something to use for an hour or so in the morning for a few weeks of the year, an electric space heater will work well. Otherwise, you should invest in a more robust heating system.

You can check out the video below for more information on how space heaters work to heat your living area:

Forced Air Heating

Forced air heating—also commonly referred to as furnace heating—is the most common type of residential heating system. Furnaces can run on natural gas, oil, propane, or electricity—so you can install one almost anywhere. Forced air systems use a blower to supply heated air to the rooms of your house through a network of ducts. A benefit of this design is that you can pair a forced air heating system with central air conditioning and take advantage of the ductwork year-round.

Installing a furnace in a home without existing air ducts is an expensive and time-consuming process, so we recommend them mostly to homeowners who already have ductwork in place. You might want to invest in a humidifier if you decide to go with a furnace heating system since it tends to dry out the air inside your home.

The video below explains how forced air heating systems work to heat your home:

Heat Pump

Heat pumps are air conditioners that can run in reverse to produce heat, making them extremely versatile. They use a refrigerant, just like an air conditioner, to extract heat from warm air, pumping it into your home when you want to heat it and out when you need to cool it. Heat pumps require ductwork but otherwise function exactly like a ductless mini-split. In fact, ductless mini-splits are technically heat pumps; they just don’t use ducts to transport air throughout your home and use a direct distribution system instead.

One of the biggest advantages heat pumps have over other home heating systems is their efficiency. It’s not uncommon to see relatively affordable heat pumps with SEER ratings in the 20-24 range, and some even reach ratings near 30 SEER. This makes them eligible for rebates and tax credits, which helps offset relatively high heat pump installation costs. If you’re not on a tight budget and want a heating system that’s quiet, efficient, and will reduce your monthly energy bills, go with a heat pump. Heat pumps may also increase the value of your home, making them a safe investment in most cases.

The video below explains how heat pumps work in your home:

Radiant Floor Heating

Radiant floor heating, or just radiant heating, is a type of heating mechanism that uses a network of pipes carrying hot water beneath the floor to heat your home. The hot water in the pipes heats the floor, which heats the air and causes it to rise and circulate throughout the room. Radiant heating is very expensive to install and is considered a premium option.

One of the biggest advantages of radiant heating is how efficient it is. The water used in radiant heating systems has a lower temperature than the water used in a boiler/radiator setup, which means radiant heating uses less energy overall. You can also use renewable energy sources like solar heating or geothermal heat pumps to heat the water in a radiant heating system, making it even more affordable and efficient.

Radiant heating is great for people with allergies or people who are affected by breathing dry air in the winter since it doesn’t affect your indoor air quality the way forced air systems can. Radiant heating is safer, more effective at heating your home evenly, and more energy-efficient—the only downside is the cost.

The video below includes an explanation of how radiant floor heating works:

Which Factors Should You Consider When Choosing a Heating System?

If you’re having trouble choosing a home heating method, don’t worry—you’re not alone. All of the home heating systems we covered above provide the same basic function, so choosing between them can be confusing. To make your life a little bit easier, we’ve gone ahead and summarized the four most important factors you need to consider before you buy.

Cost

When choosing a new heating system, the first thing to consider is cost. Take time to estimate both the up-front installation cost as well as the ongoing monthly energy costs to operate different systems. This will give you the full picture of the long-term costs. Opting for a more energy-efficient system may have higher upfront costs but can pay for itself over time through lower utility bills. Make sure to factor in any potential rebates, tax credits, or incentives for high-efficiency systems as well to get the real total cost. Setting a clear budget beforehand makes it easier to narrow down the options.

Comfort and Convenience

While cost is crucial, also think about convenience and comfort. A system that meets your needs for temperature control, easy maintenance, and quiet operation contributes greatly to quality of life. Though the initial cost may be higher, a heating system that provides consistent comfort, especially during cold winters, is worth considering. Similarly, opt for a system that makes maintenance and repairs straightforward rather than a headache. Replacing filters, cleaning, and servicing the system each year keeps it running smoothly. Choosing a heating method that fits your climate and lifestyle prevents future headaches down the road.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency should play a major role in choosing a heating system. More efficient systems like heat pumps often qualify for rebates and tax incentives that offset their higher initial costs. Investing in an efficient system saves money for years through lower utility bills. Review the AFUE and SEER ratings of potential systems to compare efficiency. Also consider smart thermostats and zoning controls that save energy by adjusting the temperature in unused rooms. Every bit of efficiency savings adds up over time, saving you money and reducing environmental impact.

Maintenance and Repairs

Finally, consider the required maintenance and likelihood of repairs for each system you're considering. Costly parts and repairs down the line can quickly make an initially cheaper system far more expensive long-term. Systems like oil burners often require more frequent service and expensive repairs. On the other hand, electric heat pumps tend to operate consistently for years with less maintenance. Do your research to understand typical maintenance schedules and repair costs before deciding. Prioritizing ease of maintenance helps avoid headaches and unexpected costs in the future.

Common Questions about Furnaces

Which Type of Heating System Do We Recommend?

We recommend a heat pump or ductless mini-split to most homeowners. These systems are incredibly efficient, provide even heating, and can provide both heating and cooling—eliminating the need for a separate cooling system. If you live in a cold climate, be aware that heat pumps and mini-splits don’t work as well in extremely cold air, so you should consider a hybrid system that uses a furnace or oil burner as a backup.