With heating accounting for about 60 per cent of energy use in a home, it's no wonder homeowners want to be up to date on the most economical options.
While there are a number ways to heat a house, choosing the right system often comes down to budget and the house itself.
Houses built prior to about 1950 often had hot water (hydronic) heating systems, with boilers supplying hot water to cast-iron radiators. Houses built after 1950 commonly used forced-air systems that distributed heat throughout a house via a system of ducts.
For either of these scenarios, a gas furnace is the most economical choice.
"Go for a high-efficiency furnace," recommends Rob Barry, an applied science technologist and president of Island Energy.
"The capital cost for a gas furnace is low and the cost of the fuel is expected to be stable for the next 10 years."
