Heating your home

The choice of a residential heating system requires serious thinking because the options are numerous. About 60% of all the energy consumed in the average household goes towards heating. It's therefore important for you to ensure your comfort at a reasonable cost, all the more so because the system you'll choose should last you for years.
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Make the right choice
Energy sources
Types of heating systems
Heat radiating floors
Choosing a contrator

Make the right choice

It's difficult to estimate the cost of each of the available systems. Costs depend on the installation, the maintenance, the type of energy used, the overall energy-saving capabilities of the house and its orientation relative to the sun.

If you're in the process of having a new house built or if you're thinking of replacing your existing heating system, this article will help you understand the three decisions you have to make: choosing the right energy source, the right system and the right contractor to look after the installation of the system and its ongoing maintenance.

Energy sources

The main energy sources used in home heating are: electricity, heating oil, natural gas, propane and wood. You may also choose from a number of combinations of those sources or a replacement source such as solar energy. Whatever your choice, take into account its availability and cost.

The availability of certain sources of energy varies by region. Electricity and heating oil are area available almost everywhere, but natural gas pipelines have yet to be installed in some areas. Propane and wood are available everywhere, but are seldom used as main sources of energy.

Cost is often the main factor in determining energy choices. It's important to estimate costs taking into account not only the cost of the fuel or other energy, but also related costs such as delivery and tank rentals in some cases.

The efficiency of bi-energy systems that combine electricity as the main source with heating oil as the back-up source when temperature requires it, has been growing in popularity. If you're among those who are interested in evaluating this possibility, consult with your electric utility (Hydro-Québec or Ontario Hydro).

Types of heating systems

Electric baseboards make up about 85% of new systems in Québec. Easy to install, they're affordable and require little maintenance. In addition, individual controls allow homeowners to keep unused rooms cooler, thus saving energy and money. On the downside, electric baseboards may limit your options when it comes to laying out your furniture as they use up floor space. In addition, electric baseboards dry up the air without really offering a built-in air treatment capability.
Photo: Air Péloquin - Longueuil
Forced-air systems are driven by a central oil-, electricity- or gas-activated burner (or integrated into a bi-energy system) that warms up the air and distributes it through the house by means of a network of ducts. On the positive side, they can accommodate air treatment systems; the required floor outlets occupy little usable space and usually blend in well with surrounding decors. On the downside, such systems require regular maintenance and can be noisy, mostly because noises from the fan travel through the heat ducts. Forced air also tends to raise dust and can spread odours through the house.
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