Human beings can’t live in extreme climates. However, colder climates are more dangerous than hotter climates. Hypothermia is a condition that can occur when the body temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, but it can happen earlier, at around 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The condition can be deadly if not treated quickly. It’s why American homes put more emphasis on heating.
Heating is crucial in people’s way of life nowadays. But before venturing into the differences between traditional and modern forms of heating, let’s first delve into the history of heating.
History of Heating
Human beings have been trying to find ways to keep themselves warm for centuries. The first known form of heating was the fire pit. It was a hole in the ground that was filled with burning logs. People would gather around the fire to keep warm.
However, the first central heating system was created during the Romans’ reign. The Roman hypocaust used underfloor heating to circulate hot air throughout homes. This form of heating became popular in Europe and was used until the Industrial Revolution.
The subsequent big development in heating came during the Industrial Revolution. This was when coal-fired boilers were invented. These boilers would heat water, which would then be circulated throughout a home using pipes. It was a significant breakthrough because it allowed people to have heat without having an open fire in their homes.
This leads us to the modern-day, where many different types of heating systems are available. The most common type of heating in use today is forced-air heating. This type of system uses a furnace to heat air, which circulates throughout the home using a duct system. Another common type of heating is radiant heating, which uses hot water to heat a home.
Now that you got some introduction to the world of heating, let’s discuss the differences between modern and traditional heating.
Modern Heating
Modern heating is all about convenience. You can control your home’s temperature with the touch of a button. You don’t have to worry about starting a fire or dealing with coal.
The most significant advantage is its efficiency. It works reasonably well, especially if you’re managing various options inside your home.
Another advantage of modern heating is that it doesn’t produce any emissions. So it’s good for the environment and your health.
However, the main downside with modern heating is that they are expensive upfront. The installation fees can cost as much as the unit itself. It’s also reliant on electricity. If you don’t have power, you won’t have heat.
Forced-air Heating
One of the most common forms of heating is forced-air heating. This system uses a furnace to heat air, circling through ducts throughout the home.
Forced air heating utilizes current innovative technology with traditional heating to work more efficiently. The furnace will only heat the air when needed and circulate it to where it’s needed most.
Radiant Heating
Radiant heating is a newer type that uses your floor or panels to heat your home. People can use this system with both new construction and existing homes.
Radiant heating is efficient because it doesn’t lose heat to the surrounding air. The only downside is that it can take longer to heat a home than other types of heating.
Traditional Heating
Traditional heating is cheaper upfront, but it’s not as efficient. For example, you will have to deal with starting a fire and adding more logs as needed. On the other hand, traditional heating has many advantages, such as requiring less energy to operate and potentially lasting longer.
Boiler
Boilers are one type of traditional heating that uses hot water to heat a home. Hot water is circulated throughout the house using pipes. The advantage of boilers is that they’re very efficient and cheap. Installing a boiler will cost you only a fraction of modern heater installments. Moreover, they are far faster to install and easier to maintain.
Furnace
Furnaces are another type of traditional heating that uses fire to heat air. The air is circulated throughout the home using ducts. The advantage of furnaces is that they’re very efficient and can last a long time. Furnaces are also cheaper to install than modern heating systems.
The Bottom Line
Modern forms of heating are more efficient and easier to use, but they’re also more expensive. Traditional forms of heating are cheaper but not as efficient. However, don’t limit yourself to one choice. Feel free to combine both options if you can. It’ll make your home more comfortable and save you money in the long run.
