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Baltimore Heating System

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The city of Baltimore enjoys a relatively mild climate, in part due to its position between the Appalachian Mountains and the Delmarva Peninsula, and also thanks to its proximity to Chesapeake Bay. That doesn't mean heating systems aren't important in Monument City, however. Winter lows average in the low 30s, and temperatures below freezing are not uncommon in December, January, and February. That makes it important that you shop wisely when choosing the right heating system for your Baltimore-area home.

Baltimore Heating System: Types
When most people think heating systems in Baltimore, they usually think of boiler run systems or a forced air furnace. It's true that those two heating systems in Baltimore dominate the market in Crabtown, but they're certainly not your only options. Here's a list of potential heating systems for your home, and what you need to know about them.

  • Wood and Pellet Burning Stoves, & Masonry Heaters—If you're looking for a heating system that is a little more 1800s than 21st century, these stoves and heaters are going to be right up your alley. They are excellent solutions for zone heating needs, and high-efficiency models work wonders when it comes to reducing the fuel you'll have to purchase, and the pollution you put into the air.

  • Forced Air Furnaces—Because of the widespread availability of natural gas, and the fact that it's suitable for other uses like cooking and heating water, gas powered furnaces have edged out the competition in most of Baltimore when it comes to home heating. Add to that the availability of high-efficiency furnaces that will drastically reduce your home's energy consumption, and it's easy to see why so many homeowners in Monument City choose to go this route.

  • Active Solar Heating—Active solar heating is a greener way to heat your home. In general, active solar heating captures heat from the sun in a liquid reservoir, then circulates that liquid to a heat exchanger or radiant heating system that distributes the heat throughout your home. As for downsides, active solar heating is more expensive to install initially than the competition, and requires that you have a back-up system installed as well—active solar heating usually can't carry more than 40 to 80 percent of your heating demands. After it's in place, however, the heat harvested from the sun is nearly free of charge, cutting your heating costs substantially.

  • Boiler Systems—Heating systems in Baltimore that use a boiler system circulate hot water or steam throughout your home to keep you warm. Replacing an old boiler with a new, energy-efficient one is probably the best way to go if you currently have a boiler-based heating system in your home.

    Your Baltimore Heating System and Energy Efficiency
    Any discussion of a heating system in Baltimore would be incomplete without touching on energy efficiency. Home heating is a huge source of energy consumption, even in a moderate climate like Baltimore's, and when you talk about energy consumption in today's economy, the conversation inevitably leads to high energy costs. That said, you're smart to place energy efficiency at the top of your checklist as you begin shopping around for a heating system for your Baltimore area home. The reduction in your monthly energy costs can potentially be huge (as much as 50 percent or more), and you'll be doing the environment a favor as well. Talk to your contractor or retailer about energy efficiency, ratings, and which heating system is going to be the best fit for your Baltimore area home.

    Matt Goering, formerly a carpenter and house painter, is a freelance writer for the home improvement industry who has published over 600 articles.

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