Identifying Heating & Cooling Systems in Homes for Sale

Traditional Furnaces
A furnace draws air from the house into a ductwork system, taking it to an area where it is warmed before being delivered back to living spaces. Newer furnaces use blowers to recirculate the warmed air. A furnace may be fueled with gas, electricity, oil, or even coal or wood.

Electric Heat Pump
Heat pumps work by shuffling heat from one place to another. They also serve as air conditioners during warm weather. Heat pumps extract warmth from outdoor air, from ground or surface water, or from the earth. The air is warmed more by the system if necessary, then circulated through the house.

Radiant Baseboard Heat
Baseboard heaters are often visible as long, metal units with electrical elements inside. Each unit has its own control, which may be marked in increments from low-to-high, but will not show the room's current temperature. You might see baseboard heaters used as a home's sole source of heat, or for supplemental heat in cooler rooms or rooms that were difficult to outfit with ductwork. They are typically more expensive to operate than furnaces.

Radiant Ceiling or Floor Heat
Radiant systems warm objects in much the same way as the sun does. No blowers are used.

Hydronic Heating
Hydronic Heating is another type of radiant heat, where hot water flows through tubes under the floor or through units that resemble baseboard heaters.

Energy-Wise Tips

Whether you're moving into a newly constructed home or buying pre-owned, there are some things a homeowners should know about your heating and cooling system. How do you know if you have a viable, economic heating or cooling system, or an energy hog that will eat a hole in your budget? Many home buyers rely on the builder, but the fact is that many builders put in the least expensive units in the market.

Here are a few points to consider:

1. Find a contractor you can trust.


2. Where will the thermostat be located? On an inside wall with plenty of air circulation is best.


3. Is there plenty of access space around your heater, heat pump, air-conditioner? If they are behind a door, is there adequate ventilation? Can they draw air easily, or is their air intake impeded?


4. Are the systems equipped with insulated pipes? If not, is there easy to access drainage pans to avoid condensation build up that can lead to household mold and mildew affecting your indoor air quality?


5. Are your heating and cooling systems equipped with easy to locate filters that you can change? Dirty filters diminish your system's effectiveness and energy efficiency--and increase energy costs.


6. Make sure the heating and cooling systems you install are adequate for your home. One that's too small will strain and not heat or cool. One that's too large won't effectively remove moisture from "clammy air," even though it may cool faster. An oversized unit will just run up your energy bill.


7. Check your ductwork--is it insulated? No matter how "state of the art" your heating/cooling system is, if your ductwork is bad, it will diminish your system's efficiency.


8. Air flows best in a straight or curved line. It doesn't "corner" well. Does your ductwork have smooth flowing curved fittings with turning vanes to guide the flow of air around sharp corners?


9. Are your ductwork connections sealed? Is there mastic and tape around every joint? If not, air could be leaking out. Air leakage diminishes the comfort level of your home. Even if it's well sealed, you will need to have it checked periodically because mastic may dry out and humidity and cold can affect tape sealant.

Indoor Air Quality

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air can be as much as five times more polluted than outdoor air. That's why an indoor air cleaner can be an important solution to help you breathe healthier, cleaner air.

Here are some tips for healthier home environment:

1. Control Dust Mites – Use anti-dust mite covers and wash sheets in hot water at least once a week; 130 degrees is recommended.


2. Eliminate Mold Sources – Fix leaky pipes and keep bathroom grout clean.


3. Stay Smoke-Free – Avoid non-ventilated, smoky rooms and second-hand smoke.


4. Avoid Pet Dander – Keep pets off the furniture, out of the bedroom, and if necessary, consider taking the pet out of the home.


5. Close Doors and Windows – Keep windows and doors shut to keep outdoor pollens, molds and irritants outside.


6. Install a Whole-House Air Cleaner – Use Trane CleanEffects to remove airborne, health-damaging particles and allergens too tiny for your nose and mouth to effectively filter naturally.