Boilers
Boilers are available in electric, oil, pellet, propane and wood. Some manufactures make a combination wood and oil boiler. Boilers are used for hot water radiation heat or in-floor heating.
Furnaces
Forced air furnaces are hooked up to duct work and are available in electric, oil, propane, pellet and wood. Most wood furnaces are available with electric or oil back up.
Central Heat Pumps
Air to Water Source Heat Pumps These system provide heating in hydronic systems (in-floor heating).
Air Source Heat Pumps can provide efficient heating and cooling for your home. When properly installed an air-source heat pump can deliver one-and a half to three times more heat energy to a home than the electrical energy it consumes. Air-source heat pumps can be installed into new or existing duct work (central heating system) or ductless. (Department of Energy)
Ductless Mini Split Heat Pumps
Ductless mini-split heat pumps (mini splits) make good retrofit add-ons to homes with “non-ducted” heating systems. There are units available for cold climates (ultra or hyper heat). Mini Splits should be installed by qualified heating and cooling contractors.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Geothermal heat pumps could save up to 70% on your home energy bills, all while enjoying comfortable, consistent heat and air conditioning. Geothermal Heat Pumps can be used for in-floor radiant heat or central heating system with duct work. Geothermal heat pumps (ground source) maintain a constant temperature no matter how cold or hot it is outside. They will always be the ultimate cold weather heat pump.
HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilaton)
A Heat Recovery Ventilator is a system which pulls fresh air into the house and pushes stale air out of the house under fan pressure, that’s the ventilator part. The heat recovery part is accomplished by forcing the incoming cold air (in winter) through a series of shallow and broad chambers which are in contact with another series of shallow and broad chambers containing stale warm air going the other way. In this way the cold air coming in is warmed by the warm stale air going out. As homes are upgraded and made tighter (increased insulation, new windows, new doors) the stale air does not escape and the air in the house becomes stale. Some municipalities require HRV’s to be installed in new homes or renovations.