heating systems and the role of Furnaces, boilers, stoves and inserts

Furnaces and boilers are traditionally the central pieces of central heating systems, that is, they are usually conceived to supply heat to the whole house through a system of ducts and pipes. On the other hand, some decades ago, stoves and fireplaces were mainly conceived to heat a single room. But things are changing in what concerns the role of stoves and fireplaces in modern heating systems. They are no more just room heating devices.

Modern technological advances have transformed stoves and fireplaces into very efficient appliances, able to provide most of the global heating needs of modern buildings, and not just the needs of a single room, though they may also be used in zone heating strategies.

Fast improvements in stove and fireplace technology

Combustion technology has advanced a lot in the last two decades, making modern furnaces and boilers much more energy-efficient appliances. If you have old furnaces or/and boilers, you will get huge energy savings replacing the older units with new ones.

However, the advances in stove and fireplace technology were much faster than that of boilers and furnaces, making modern stoves and fireplaces, in many cases, a better heating solution. Take into account the broad lines described below, if you about to install or remodel your heating system.

When to consider furnaces and boilers

In colder climates, if your house…

- is old or very large and not well insulated or energy efficient;
- has no large open areas and it has many individual rooms and walls...

and if you want to heat all your rooms, central heating based on furnaces and boilers can still be a better option.

When to consider stoves and fireplaces

If your house has large open areas, and it is well or reasonable insulated, consider a space heating system based on a stove or a modern and certified fireplace (insert) instead of a central system based on a furnace/boiler.

This option is typically cheaper, involves lower energy bills and is a cleaner one - advanced stoves and fireplaces (gas, wood, pellet…) provide very low CO2 and other greenhouse gases emissions.