Given the long and extremely cold winters in Canada, effective Ottawa home heating solutions are imperative for every home. In fact in some parts of the country, heating may be required for even 9 or more months. Fortunately to keep the temperatures within a comfortable range, there’s an eclectic range of heating systems that are not only effective but also efficient. 

Increasing concerns about the planet coupled with the high energy costs today call for energy efficient home heating solutions that conserve less power and keep the utility bills down. The following types of home heating systems effectively help residents stay comfortable round the year:

  • Boilers—gas and oil

Boilers are less commonly used today than previously. However, in comparison to forced air systems, boilers can heat a space more efficiently. 

Gas boilers are also called hydronic heating systems. They heat up a water supply and circulate the heat through radiators throughout the house, either in the form of steam or hot water. When the water cools down, it is re-circulated to the boiler for reheating. 

Since they’re closed loop water-based systems, boilers are a great option for people with asthma or allergies as they don’t blow air into the house.

  • Heat Pumps 

A heat pump can keep you comfortable for most of the year, with effective heating in the colder months and cooling in the warmer season. In addition they control humidity, which can lower the heating and cooling costs. There are different types of heat pumps such as, air-source heat pumps, ductless heating and cooling, and geothermal (ground-source) heat pumps, and cold climate heat pumps.

Air source heat pumps extract heat from the outside air and circulate it into your house to keep you warm during the winters. They’re equipped with indoor air handlers and condensers that utilize a refrigerant, which transfers energy between coils very efficiently. 

Similarly, a ductless heat pump also works by removing and redistributing the heat from one place to another. Ductless mini-split systems use an indoor wall mounted unit or evaporator coil that is connected to an outdoor compressor or condensing unit with the help of copper lines. As the outdoor compressor heats or cools the air, the latter is sent directly into the house through the indoor unit. In an air source heat pump as well as a ductless mini-split system, refrigerant flows between the two heating and cooling devices.

On the other hand, in a geothermal heat pump, the earth or ground water is used to transfer heat, instead of a refrigerant. As they use heat from the earth, these heat pumps provide energy-efficient heating. However they require pipes to be installed in the ground, which makes them more expensive to install than furnaces.

  • Furnaces 

A furnace is also called a ducted warm air or forced warm air distribution system. It’s powered by electricity, natural gas, or oil. A furnace blows heated air through ducts that deliver it to the rooms in the house through grills or air registers. The new energy-efficient furnaces today vent through PVC plastic pipes directly through walls instead of chimneys. Hence they do not require frequent cleaning. However they must be maintained through occasional inspections, which typically suffice.

Which Ottawa home heating solution would you like to go for? As the leading heating contractors in Ottawa, Climate Works provides a broad range of HVAC systems that can help your family stay toasty and comfortable throughout the year in an energy efficient manner. Besides Ottawa home heating and cooling installation services, we provide reliable HVAC repair and maintenance, duct cleaning, and plumbing services. Learn more about our home heating solutions or get in touch with us for assistance in choosing the right system for your specific heating and cooling requirements. Our staff would love to assist you in fitting you with exactly what you need to stay toasty and cozy throughout the long winter!