A Guide To Understanding Heating Terms
Heating systems come with a lot of technical terms that can often be confusing, but understanding these terms is key to making informed decisions about your home’s comfort, efficiency, and long-term savings.
Hot water in-floor heating
A heating system that circulates hot water through pipes installed beneath the floor to provide radiant heat. The water, heated by a boiler or water heater, distributes warmth evenly, ensuring consistent comfort.
Quik Trak®
A low-profile underfloor heating system featuring pre-fabricated panels with grooves that hold pex tubing.
Electric Boiler
A heating system that uses electricity to generate heat, by heating water and distributing it through baseboard radiators or in-floor heating. Some people refer to an electric boiler and an electric furnace as the same equipment.
Electric Furnace
A heating system that uses electricity to generate heat through electric resistance elements and ducts. Some people refer to an electric furnace and an electric boiler as the same equipment.
Oil Furnace
A heating system that burns oil to generate heat for residential or commercial spaces. Oil furnaces typically consist of a burner that atomizes the oil and ignites it, producing hot air that is distributed throughout the house or building via ducts. Some people refer to an oil furnace and an oil boiler as the same equipment.
Oil Boiler
A heating system that burns oil to generate heat for residential or commercial spaces. Oil boilers typically consist of a burner that atomizes the oil and ignites it, producing hot water that is distributed throughout the house or building via piping with radiators or in-floor heating. Some people refer to an oil boiler and an oil furnace as the same equipment.
Oil Tank
A storage unit designed to hold heating oil for use in oil furnaces or boilers. Oil tanks are typically made of steel or fiberglass and come in various sizes.
Forced Air System
A heating and/or cooling system that uses a blower to circulate air through ducts and distribute it throughout a house or building. In heating mode, the system warms the air using a furnace before delivering it via vents.
Hot Water Radiation System
A heating system that uses hot water circulated through pipes to radiate heat from floor-mounted radiators or in-floor heating pipes. The hot water is typically heated by a boiler, allowing for even and consistent heating throughout a space.
Distribution System
The network of ducts, pipes, or channels used to transport heated or cooled air and water throughout a house or building. In heating systems, it includes the pathways that deliver warm air from a furnace or hot water from a boiler to various rooms.
Glycol for Heating Systems
A fluid mixture, usually composed of glycol and water, used as an antifreeze and heat transfer medium in heating systems. Glycol lowers the freezing point of the fluid, preventing damage from freezing temperatures while enhancing heat transfer efficiency.
Descaling
The process of removing mineral buildup, such as calcium and lime, from heating system components, particularly in boilers and pipes.
Duct Cleaning
Duct cleaning commonly relates to the cleaning of the various ducts associated with a home’s hot air heating and/or cooling system.
Kitec Piping
A type of discontinued plumbing system made from a combination of polyethylene and aluminum, previously used for water supply and heating applications. Heating Kitec piping is typically identifiable by its orange color.
PEX Piping
Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) piping is a flexible and durable piping material used for heating systems and domestic water supply.
