If you are in Canberra or other parts of the world, surviving the winter season means you need to have an efficient direct heating system. The problem is that there are different systems that you can use to warm up your home, but not everyone serves the same purpose.
Take the direct heating system, for example. Devices that emit direct heat are typically cheap and easy to find. And compared to other appliances, they are portable and low maintenance.
But is it the right heating system for you?
Let’s find out.
Landmark Air offers complete heating services for all types of systems. We’ve been in the business for many years, and our team is composed of highly trained professionals who can help you make the best decision for your home.
Call us today at (02) 6189 2972 and let us help you choose the right heating system for your needs!
What Is a Direct Heating System?
A direct heating system is a process that involves unmediated and immediate heating. Equipment that provides direct heat is quick to heat up and is installed directly on walls. It does not have ductwork either, unlike furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps that are specifically used for centralised heating.
Heating devices designed to provide direct heat typically emit a small amount of heat only, making them energy efficient. However, it can cater to single and small rooms only. Some examples of devices that offer direct heat are space heaters and fireplaces.
Why Choose It?
There are different types of heating systems today and each system serves a varying function. A direct heating system, for example, requires certain conditions to maximise its use. Aspects like the size of the room, capacity, as well as maintenance and repair cost are crucial.
- Suitable for small spaces. Devices that emit direct heat are typically built for small rooms only. A standard wall heater with 1,500 BTU, for example, can cover a roughly 150 sq. ft room only. And smaller space heaters may cover less than 150 sq. ft only.
If you are not sure what’s the right type of space heater for your house, contact an HVAC expert like Landmark Air to help you find the right heating device or system for you and your family.
- Electric- and gas-powered. Appliances with a direct heating system are quite versatile when it comes to the energy source. Some devices use electricity while others are powered by fuel oil or natural gas. Each energy source has its advantages and disadvantages so make sure to choose one that is appropriate to your needs.
A few of the factors you need to consider are cost and availability.
- Climate. Devices that emit direct heat can efficiently warm small spaces even if you are located somewhere where the temperature drops subzero. Although using such appliances might not be energy efficient as it will require a lot of energy to maintain the room’s warmth.
- Installation, maintenance, and repair. The installation process, as well as maintenance and repair, is quite inexpensive for heaters with a direct heating system. Take wall heaters as an example. It can be installed directly and because these appliances are by standard powered by electricity, there is no need to spend a considerable amount of money on maintenance as well as repair. Unlike those that are powered using fuel oil and natural gas.
3 Types of Direct Heating Systems
There are three types of appliances that emit direct heat available in the market today: a space heater, fireplace, and pellet stove.
Here’s how each of them differs.
Space Heater
A space heater is a small to medium-sized device that emits heat and is used to warm up small rooms. It is portable, ductless, and does not need to be installed. Space heaters are available in three types as well. You can have an electric-powered, gas-powered, and gas-powered but unvented space heater.
Here’s how they differ.
- Electric heater. Electric heaters are cheap to buy and portable devices that come with “quartz-infrared” and “oil-filled” heaters that turn electricity into heat just like how a toaster works. However, such a process utilises a high amount of energy, making it costly to use. A plug-in heater with 1,500 watts, for example, will consume almost the same amount of energy as a 15-amp circuit consumes.
As such, plug-in space heaters are not recommendable, especially if you are trying to save money.
- Gas-powered heater. Heating devices that are fueled using gas are ductless and can warm up a small space only. And while it is not portable like space heaters, the equipment can be either wall-mounted, floor furnaces, or free-standing. It can be powered with either propane or natural gas. Kerosene works too.
- Unvented gas-powered heater. Some gas-powered heaters are unvented—which means these devices do not have an exhaust vent. Vent-free heaters are not safe and are not recommended due to their combustion by-products.
Fireplace
Fireplaces have been warming up homes for centuries already. It has become a design element as well. But although fireplaces are a staple source of heat across the globe, it is not as reliable as modern heaters.
Wood Stoves
Another way to emit direct heat is by stacking wood and burning them. It is more affordable if you compared it to devices that are electric- and gas-powered since the price of wood is generally lower compared to gas and electricity. However, many avoid using it as it emits air pollutants that can be dangerous both to humans and the environment.
Call Us
If you are interested in purchasing a space heater, fireplace, or woodstove, be sure to contact us for more information. Our experts can help you choose the best device for your needs and will provide installation and maintenance services as well.
