Depending on where you live, heat may be a necessary utility. Perhaps you are building a new house, or maybe you want to replace your old heating system with a more energy-efficient one. Either way, a forced-air heating system might be your best bet. While you may want to try and install this yourself to save money, it is not advisable. Working with gas lines is very dangerous, even with experience, and the job is a very large one. It's best to leave this up to the professionals.
Why Forced Air/Furnace Heating?
Forced-air heating systems are a common method of warming up homes in the United States. This combination of furnace and air ducts is not only efficient, but the same HVAC system can be used for central air conditioning as well. This allows ease of installation (only one duct system) and the convenience of one thermostat for year-round climate control.
On top of that, using a natural gas furnace to heat up air is a more energy-efficient method than using an oil furnace, so it's easier on the environment and will likely cost you less money in the long run.
How Does It Work?
Forced-air heating provides constant circulation of air through the rooms in your home using vents that put out hot air and others that take in cold air. The cold air passes through a filter, is heated by the furnace, and then is passed through the ductwork and into the different rooms in your home.
How It's Installed
The delivery system for forced-air heating is commonly referred to as HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning). Whether you are adding a furnace to an AC system or vice versa, it is not that difficult for a professional to incorporate the new climate-control option into the existing system. If you are replacing your old furnace with a newer, more efficient model, this is also a job for professionals. To them, it's a piece of cake, but for you it would involve buying specialized tools, working with refrigerant for possibly the first time, and learning soldering, plumbing, and engineering skills specific to the job at hand.
Installing the ductwork is also a very involved process, if it is to be done properly. Leaky ducts can lessen your home's energy efficiency by a lot, costing you money in the process. Properly installed ducts need to be well-connected and sealed, as well as insulated. The route that they take through your home can cause air resistance if it's not thought through properly. The ducts and vents will also be sized accordingly to provide each room with the proper amount of air.
So, installing forced-air heating in your home may be no walk in the park, but fortunately there are countless professionals who do it regularly. Make sure you find a reliable contractor, however. Low-quality installations lead to leaky ducts, as mentioned above, or even more hazardous situations. Do the appropriate footwork, and this winter you'll be cozier than you ever imagined!