Comparison Shopping

In this chapter, you'll see at-a-glance tables that summarize the advantages and disadvantages of the different kinds of widely available energy sources and distribution systems for heating (not including fuel costs, which are dealt with in the charts in the Comparing Energy Costs section). There is also a table comparing the different cooling systems and another for hot water heaters.

**Heating Systems Comparison**
Type	Possible Advantages	Possible Disadvantages
Forced Air	Rapid heat delivery Compatible with central cooling, air cleaning, ventilation and humidity control Circulates air to each room	Duct work expensive as a retrofit Space required for duct work
Hydronic (hot water)	Boiler more compact than forced air furnace Temperature can be regulated from room to room Can provide hot water	May have higher installed costs No duct work for central air cooling
Space Heaters	Available in a range of models and sizes and choice of fuels convenient for homes with no basement or for heating home additions Moderate installed cost Can provide room to room (zoned) temperature control	Will likely require more than one unit to heat house Space heaters not currently regulated for efficiency No duct work for central cooling

**Energy Source** **Comparison**
Type	Possible Advantages	Possible Disadvantages
Natural Gas	No fuel storage facilities needed	Not available in all areas Venting required
Propane	Wide range of products available	Storage facilities needed for fuel Venting required
Oil	Some older units can be upgraded by replacing the burner	Space needed for a fuel storage tank Venting required
Wood	Renewable resource Can be cost-effective where low-cost wood is available Aesthetically pleasing Back-up heating	Storage area needed for fuel Supplementary heating may be required Requires effort and knowledge Venting required
Electricity	No venting needed since there is no combustion Compact heating units No fuel storage facilities needed	Likely requires 200-amp electrical service
Air Source Heat Pumps	Lower operating cost than electric resistance heat Also provides cooling	Requires auxiliary heating source during coldest weather More expensive to purchase than central cooling Noise may disturb neighbours, depending on model and location
Earth Energy Systems (Ground Source Heat Pumps)	Most efficient system Low operating costs Can provide hot water Also provides cooling	Typically, highest installed costs Supplementary heating usually needed for extreme temperatures Requires a suitable site for ground or waterloop

**Cooling Systems Comparison**
Type	Possible Advantages	Possible Disadvantages
Room Air Conditioning	Duct work not required Can target area to be cooled Low installed cost Portable	Limited cooling Obstructs window Will likely increase interior noise level (will vary with model) Must be removed or covered in winter to minimize heat loss
Central Air Conditioning	Easily added to forced air system to cool and de-humidify whole house	Duct work expensive as a retrofit Noise might disturb neighbours, depending on model and location More expensive than room air conditioners
Heat Pump	Also provides heating	Higher installed costs than central air conditioning Noise might disturb neighbours, depending on model and location
Ceiling Fan	Low operating costs Low installed cost	No dehumidification No air cooling (occupants cooled by contact with moving air)

**Water Heaters Comparison**
Type	Possible Advantages	Possible Disadvantages
Electric	No venting needed since there is no combustion Tank can be located almost anywhere	Slower recovery time
Earth Energy System	Low operating cost	Only practical where earth energy system is used for heating
Natural Gas	Faster recovery time than electric	Natural gas not available in all areas Venting required
Propane	Faster recovery time than electric Equipment may be convertible to natural gas	Venting required
Oil	Fastest recovery time Smaller tank	Higher equipment costs Venting required
Solar	Renewable energy source No-cost fuel	Requires back-up with conventional fuel High equipment costs
Integrated Hot Water Systems	Only one system to purchase and maintain for both home and water heating May provide higher water heating efficiency	A breakdown may disable both home and water heating