你对如今市场上的供暖系统了解的越多，你就越能为你的家选择最好的一个。显然，你的主要目标（除了舒适），是有一个使用和维护的成本尽可能少的供暖和空调源。

　　Your Biggest Expense

　　你最大的花费

　　Space heating is the largest expense for most home owners in North America. In the United States, this expense accounts for approximately 45 percent of all energy bills. In the US, the most common form of home heating fuel is gas, which is used by 57 percent of home owners. Year ago it cost two to three times as much to heat a home with oil as it did to heat it with gas. However early this year oil prices crashed and at present it costs about the same to heat with gas or oil. Another way to cut costs is to upgrade your home as well as your heating system. Putting in new doors and windows, insulation, etc. can do a lot to cut down on your home heating bills.

　　对于大多美国北部的房主来说，空间供暖是最大的消费支出。在美国，这一费用约占所有能源费用的45%。在美国，最常见的家庭取暖燃料是天然气，57%的房主使用。一年前，用石油供暖一个家庭要的花费是用天然气供暖的2到3倍。然而，今年初油价暴跌，目前它的供暖成本与天然气相同。降低成本的另一种方法是升级你的家和你的供暖系统。购入新的门窗、保温材料等方面，可以减少大量的取暖费。

　　How do Heating Systems Work?

　　供暖系统如何运行？

　　While there are many different types of heating systems, they all incorporate the same three basic parts:

　　虽然有许多不同类型的供暖系统，但它们都包含相同的三个基本部分：

　　Heat Source – Usually a furnace, heat pump, or boiler, provides warm air and water throughout the home.

　　热源—通常是一个炉、热泵或锅炉，给家中提供了温暖的空气和水。

　　Heat Distribution System – This moves the heat throughout the home. Systems include forced air and radiators.

　　热分配系统—它会运送热量到整个家。系统包括强迫空气和散热器。

　　Control System – This the thermostat that allows you to control the temperature in your home.

　　控制系统—这是可以让你控制家里的温度的自动调温器。

　　Types of Heat Sources

　　热源类型

　　There are five main heating sources that are used by heating systems:

　　主要有五种供暖系统使用的加热源

　　Furnaces – Heat the air and use blower motors and air ducts to get the air throughout the home.

　　熔炉—加热空气并使用鼓风机马达和空气管道让空气流通整个家庭。

　　Boilers – Heat water to provide heat to the home through hot water or steam. The heat is distributed throughout the home via a pipe system.

　　锅炉——加热水来通过热水或蒸汽给家庭提供热量。热通过管道系统分布到整个家。

　　Heat Pumps – Heat the home by pulling heat from the air and then redistributing it throughout the home. This type of source is also used for cooling homes.

　　热泵–通过从空气中拉热然后重新分配到整个家庭来加热。这种类型的源也被用于给家降温。

　　Active Solar Heating – Heats the home by using energy from the sun. Panels collect the energy, and then it is distributed throughout the home.

　　主动式太阳能加热—利用太阳的能量加热家庭。电池板收集能量，然后分布到整个家庭。

　　Electric Heating – Heats the home by converting energy into heat. Also known as electric resistance heating.

　　电加热—把能量转化为热能，使之加热。也被称为电阻加热。

　　Types of Heat Distribution Systems

　　供暖分配系统的类型

　　There are five main types of heat distribution systems主要有五种类型的供暖分配系统

　　Forced Air – This is the most common type of distribution system in homes. It distributes heat from the furnace through air ducts.

　　强制空气—这是最常见类型的家庭分配系统。它通过风管从炉中分配热量。

　　Steam Radiant – This is likely one of the oldest types of heat distribution systems, using radiators to heat individual rooms.

　　蒸汽辐射—这可能是最古老的一种热分配系统，使用散热器来加热各个房间。

　　Radiant – This can be installed in floors, ceiling, and wall panels, and transfers heat from hot surfaces to items, including people, in the room. According to a research conducted by Heating Oil Express radiators have slightly more advantages than forced air systems.

　　辐射—这可以被安装在地板，天花板和墙壁板上，并从热表面将热量转移到房间内的物体上，包括人。据加热油快车的一项研究表明散热器比强迫空气系统稍稍好一些。

　　Hot Water Baseboards – This is a lot like radiant heating, with hot water flowing through baseboard heating units.

　　热水基板–这很像辐射采暖，热水通过基板加热单元流通。

　　Electric Baseboards – A variation of hot water baseboards, these use electricity to heat the home.

　　电力基板—热水基板的一种变形，用电力加热家。

　　Other Sources of Home Heating

　　其它的家庭供暖源

　　In addition to the main heating sources in homes, many homeowners are opting for a variety of other heating sources. These include:

　　除了主要的家庭供暖源，许多房主选择了各种其它的热源。这些包括：

　　Wood/Pellet Stoves – These are ideal if you live in an area where you can easily get wood. It is also one of the most economical way to heat a home.

　　木材/粒料炉——如果你住在一个可以轻松获得木材这些都会理想的。它也是给家庭供暖最经济的方式之一。

　　Portable and Direct Vent Wall Heaters – Used in addition to the main heating system when that system isn’t quite enough.

　　便携式和直排式壁炉—用于主供暖系统不足时，补充供暖。

　　Fireplaces – These can provide a lot of warmth in a room, and they look great while doing it.

　　壁炉–它们可以给房间里提供很多的温暖，而且在供暖时它们看起来很棒。