| al heating describes the process of providing | | | | The heat generated in the boiler, either from the |
| warmth to all or parts of the inside of a building | | | | combustion of heating oil or by capturing solar |
| through a single heat source located in one place. | | | | energy, is then distributed throughout the building. |
| In many cases, for example with large offices | | | | There are various methods for doing this. One |
| and public buildings, the central heating system is | | | | method is to pump air through duct work which |
| part of a larger and more comprehensive HVAC | | | | runs throughout the structure of the building. |
| system (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning). | | | | Another method involves heating water in the |
| Such HVAC systems are used to control not just | | | | boiler and then circulating steam, or more usually |
| temperature, but the actual internal climate of the | | | | hot water, through pipes around the building. The |
| building. Indeed, some buildings have automatic | | | | pipes will lead to radiators which are mounted on |
| systems to control light levels too. Venetian blinds | | | | the walls. Each radiator around the building will |
| located inside sealed double glazing systems will | | | | usually has its own controls so that the heat can |
| automatically open and close throughout the day | | | | be regulated in each room. |
| to adjust the amount of light coming in through | | | | This is the usual type of system that is used in |
| the windows. | | | | many homes across northern regions of the |
| With central heating, the heat is generated in one | | | | world such as Russia and northern Europe. Here, |
| central place and then distributed throughout the | | | | because of the temperate climate, most homes |
| building. This methodology therefore differs from | | | | will have a central heating system built in. Air |
| local heating where heating units in each room are | | | | conditioning systems are not commonly seen in |
| used. A typical system for central heating involves | | | | these regions because of the cooler climate, |
| burning fuel such as heating oil, gas or coal in a | | | | where air conditioning is seldom or never needed. |
| boiler or furnace. In a domestic house this boiler | | | | Conversely, homes in warmer parts of the world |
| will often be located in the kitchen or in an airing | | | | such as south America, Africa and south east |
| cupboard. In a larger building like an office or public | | | | Asia will have air conditioning systems but no |
| building such as a library or museum, the furnace | | | | central heating. |
| or boiler will be in a dedicated boiler room. Electrical | | | | Some people may think that central heating is a |
| central heating systems do exist, but they are | | | | relatively new development. In fact, the Romans |
| not as common as those run on fossil fuels. This | | | | started to introduce central heating in the year |
| is because such systems are only feasible where | | | | 100 AD when they were occupying many regions |
| low cost electricity supplies, or geothermal heat | | | | of northern Europe, including Germany and Britain. |
| pumps, are available. There are also | | | | Here, they constructed buildings heated by air |
| environmentally geared central heating systems | | | | which was warmed in furnaces and ducted |
| which are becoming popular with people who care | | | | through the buildings using pipes in the walls and |
| about their impact on the environment. These use | | | | spaces under the floors. |
| alternatives to fossil fuels such as solar power. | | | | |