History of Heating Systems
This ancient civilization used a system called "hypocaust" to heat floors and public baths.
What is Ancient Rome?
This is the most common type of heating system in U.S. homes today.
What is a forced-air furnace?
This heating method uses high-pressure steam to heat commercial buildings.
What is a steam heating system?
This part of a furnace is responsible for actually heating the air.
What is the heat exchanger?
This system is responsible for heating and cooling air in a building.
What is HVAC?
The development of forced-air furnaces and this duct system in the 1950s helped distribute heat evenly throughout homes.
What is ductwork?
This heating method uses water-filled pipes or electric coils installed under the floor to provide warmth.
What is radiant floor heating?
This type of heating system is commonly found in large commercial buildings and uses hot water or steam distributed through pipes.
What is a boiler system?
A boiler system uses this instead of air to transfer heat.
What is water?
This part of the ventilation system filters out dust, dirt, and other particles from the air.
What is an air filter?
In the early 20th century, this innovation made central heating systems more common in homes and buildings.
What is the thermostat?
This type of heating uses hot water that circulates through pipes and radiators.
What is a hydronic (boiler) system?
Many commercial buildings use this rooftop HVAC unit that includes both heating and cooling components.
What is a packaged rooftop unit (RTU)?
In a forced-air system, this part blows heated air through the ductwork and into rooms.
What is the blower fan?
This HVAC component is used in both heating and cooling systems and works by compressing and expanding refrigerant to transfer heat
What is a compressor?
This fuel source became the dominant heating method during the Industrial Revolution, replacing wood in many urban areas.
What is coal?
Many older homes used this type of heating system that involved cast-iron components filled with hot water or steam.
What is a radiator?
Large office buildings often use this type of heating system that relies on a central energy source and distributes heat to multiple tenants.
What is district heating?
This component of a furnace is responsible for igniting the fuel to produce heat.
What is the burner?
This type of furnace uses gas or oil to heat air, which is then distributed throughout the home via ducts.
What is a gas furnace?
This heating method, developed in the 1970s, became popular for being more energy-efficient and using less fuel.
What is a heat pump?
This home heating system can be fueled by wood pellets, corn, or biomass materials to produce heat.
What is a pellet stove?
If a commercial building has high ceilings, it may use these heaters to warm specific zones.
What are unit heaters?
This type of heat transfer occurs when warm air rises and cool air sinks.
What is convection?
A geothermal heating system uses this to provide heating by transferring heat from the earth.
What is the ground or earth?