Many American central heating systems utilize a furnace that sends forced hot air through duct work.
This system has long been chosen by builders in America because of their cheap installation costs, especially when combined with central air conditioning.
But with rising fuel prices, the ongoing cost of fuel use must also be considered.
Another disadvantage to forced hot air is that it's the proven most uncomfortable heat delivery system, since it does not prevent the loss of body heat of the occupants.
Many homeowners also use the term furnace to refer to their boiler, even though the two are not the same.
A boiler heats water, and strictly speaking, a furnace heats and distributes air.
The hot water heating systems that use boilers include hot water baseboards and radiators.
These heat delivery systems are next up on the comfort level.
While an improvement over hot air blowing out of ducts, they also relay on some air movement in the form of conduction, to deliver heat to the room.
Another heating system that uses a boiler or water heater is radiant panel heat.
The radiant panels can be built into ceilings and walls, but are most commonly applied as a radiant floor system.
Radiant panel heat is the proven most comfortable type of central heating, because it warms all the surfaces of the room to match the skin temperature of the occupants.
The result is no loss of body heat, and a neutral feeling of ease.
Because of the laws of physics that are best utilized by radiant panel systems, they are also much more energy efficient than forced hot air.
So not only will you enjoy the highest level of comfort in your home, you will rest easy that your utility cost savings will last for the life of your home.