There are several ways of heating a living area. Heat can be delivered from a furnace, a heat pump, a radiant or hydronic system, or by freestanding space heaters. Most homes today are still heated by a traditional furnace. Most modern furnaces are run on gas, oil or electricity, though wood- and coal-fired furnaces are enjoying a slight resurgence. Air is drawn into the furnace from throughout the home by a system of ducts, with vents in each room. The air is heated, then forced back through the duct work by fans. It is filtered to remove dust and particles. Gas and oil furnaces operate from a pilot light. They must have a flue to vent exhaust gases that result from combustion. Electric furnaces warm the air with a series of heating elements. Economy, of course, is of primary importance, especially in times of rising fuel costs. Have your furnace checked annually to be sure it is operating at top efficiency, and change filters frequently. Be certain that your house is well insulated, and check regularly for leaks around windows and doors. Turning the thermostat above the temperature you want won't make the house heat up any faster--it will just make your furnace work harder and less efficiently. Turning your heat down at night and when you aren't at home makes sense, but don't set it too low. A room that's too cold will not only need the air heated, but also the contents of the room! A programmable thermostat will more than pay for itself in convenience and heating costs.
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