The nights are getting cooler, so we need to start thinking about home heating. Now is the time to get your tanks filled and have your furnaces and boilers checked out before starting them for the season.

If you’re building a new home or doing an extensive remodel, you have more heating options available to you, but even in existing homes there are ways to add a little extra heat to make your space more comfortable.

A forced air system is the most commonsystem. The air is heated in a furnace by propane, fuel oil, wood or electricity and forced through ductwork into individual areas. This is typically inexpensive and the use of registers controls the amount of heat let into in each room, but forced air can also spread dust and may need to be humidified. This system is generally only installed during new construction.

In-floor radiant heat is often considered a more comfortable heat source because the floors and objects in a home are heated rather than just the air. For new construction, tubing is embedded in the floor and water heated by a boiler fueled with propane, fuel oil, wood or electricity is circulated through the tubing. An advantage to in-floor radiant heat is that the tubing can be installed in zones to regulate heat delivered to separate areas, but it also takes time to get the floor up to temperature on initial start-up and it responds slowly to thermostat adjustments. Radiant heat can also be installed in remodels by using electric mats installed under new flooring, which can be added on a room-by-room basis.

A water-filled baseboard running throughout your home radiates heat. This system heats the surrounding air. The greatest advantage to this type of heating is the ability to control each room’s comfort level. It is energy-efficient and quiet; however, it is best installed during new construction.

Infrared heaters have become more popular for additional heating. These heaters ionize the water molecules in the air so the heat is distributed evenly from floor to ceiling. The cost of an infrared heater is relatively low, making it an ideal method of adding heat to an existing home. You also can use electric free-standing oil-filled radiators placed in areas that need some extra warmth.

The newest home heating (and cooling) method is called a Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP), which uses electricity to move heat from the earth into buildings via a ground loop pipe buried below ground. According to the Geothermal Exchange Organization, geothermal heating and cooling uses 40 to 70 percent less energy than conventional systems, making it more efficient and environmentally friendly.

As you can see, there are several ways to stay cozy this winter, so check in with one of our local companies or contractors for more information on what system is right for your home.