The Physical Environment

Heating
There are many ways to heat any building or a home, whether it's the new "green" way to do it by geothermal heating, or the even more controversial way of "passive" solar heating, or the more traditional, tried and true method of a gas burning furnace. Boilers, also popular in some locales, are another way, using hot water as the source of heat, rather than hot air. The most common method, however, is called the "forced air" furnace, which blows heat out of the furnace with a fan through air ducts, after gas is burned inside the furnace to created the heat. Gas furnaces are more economical than electric.

Installation
Each of the different types of heating systems involves different installation procedures. With the common gas furnace, the gas line is run to the furnace, electric wires connect to a thermostat that automatically turns the furnace on and off, and a blower fan disperses the hot air through ducts into the occupied rooms. With a boiler, water pipes must bring water into the boiler before the water is heated and then dispersed throughout the building. Other heating methods involve various installations, such as solar collectors that use sunlight to heat air or a liquid, underground geothermal pipes that absorb heat from the ground, or placing wood burning stoves in the occupied rooms.

Repairs
All the different heating systems require some ongoing maintenance to make sure they run properly and don't develop major problems often left undetected. Some common problems include dirty blowers, air filters that haven't been changed, and blocked ventilation pipes. Also, the units themselves will have a normal lifespan and could need replacement after a number of years. Thermostat replacement is simple, but often overlooked as a root cause of trouble. Repairs made by reputable companies with high ratings in the community are always the safest bet. Using Energy Star equipment to conserve energy also saves money for the consumer as well. Most home and building owners prefer to have an ongoing maintenance agreement with a heating company for regular check-ups and peace of mind.