From a small home to a sprawling mansion, nearly every house built today will have a need for a heating system. To get the right system for a particular building, an HVAC expert may be consulted to examine the house and determine which method will be most efficient. Developing a relationship with one of these professionals may also be useful in situations where an HVAC expert witness may be needed for legal proceedings. With many advances in the existing technology over the past few decades, there are many systems that a plumbing and HVAC expert witness may recommend.

Probably the oldest system that is still found in many homes is the traditional furnace. Essentially, the furnace works by heating air and moving it to different areas of the house, commonly with a blower. Fuel for the furnace can come from many different sources, including coal, gas, wood, electricity, or oil. Controlling the furnace is done with a thermostat, which regulates the amount of heat and air that is circulated through the house.

Another heating system option is the heat pump. Found in electric, geothermal, and other versions, a heat pump transfers heat into the home. In the geothermal version that is quickly gaining popularity, the actual heat of the earth is the source. As with furnaces, the heat is delivered through a ventilation system. One of the benefits of using a heat pump is that it can also work as an air conditioner during the warmer months, eliminating the need for two separate pieces of equipment.

Radiant heat is another option that has been used extensively in the past years. Using electricity as the source, the metal devices are usually mounted on the baseboard or ceiling. Rather than pushing air to warm the house, radiant heat is stationary and is best used for heating small rooms or areas.