Posted: January 5, 2026
How you heat your home has a big impact, not only on your comfort but on your heating bills, too. That’s a lot to think about, especially if you’re buying your first home and you’ve never had to think about the mechanics of heating. And if it’s been a while since you were shopping for heating equipment, a primer on today’s home heating options can help you understand the advances in technology and efficiency to make the best choice, whether you’re replacing old equipment, planning a renovation or building or buying a new home.
If you haven’t given much thought to home heating before, you might use the terms “boiler” and “furnace” interchangeably. While both systems serve the same purpose — keeping your house warm — they do it in very different ways.
A furnace heats air and distributes it through ductwork to vents throughout your home. These are commonly paired with forced-air systems that can also handle central air conditioning. Furnaces tend to heat spaces quickly, but the warm air can feel drier, and temperatures may vary from room to room.
A boiler, on the other hand, heats water and sends hot water or steam through pipes to radiators, baseboards, or radiant floor systems. Boilers provide a more even, consistent warmth and don’t blow air around, which many homeowners find more comfortable — especially during long winter months. Radiant heat is also quiet and can feel warmer at lower thermostat settings.
Replacing a system of vents and ducts with a system of pipes and radiators (or vice versa) is a complicated and expensive undertaking. Today’s high efficiency boilers and furnaces will work better than older versions, keeping your home more comfortable while burning less fuel.
The fuel your heating system uses plays a major role in both operating costs and performance.
Heating oil remains a popular choice in many regions, especially here in New England. Modern oil-fired boilers and furnaces are far more efficient than older models, delivering reliable, high-output heat even in very cold weather. And, thanks to advances in the refining process, ultra-low sulfur heating oil burns so cleanly and produces such negligible emissions that the Federal Clean Air Act doesn’t even regulate it anymore.
Propane is another flexible and efficient option, particularly for homes without access to natural gas. Propane systems heat quickly, and propane can also be used for cooking, water heating, fireplaces, and generators — making it a versatile whole-home energy solution.
Electric heat pumps are popular because they don’t require ductwork and can work to cool rooms in the summer and provide heat in the winter. But heat pumps work by moving existing heat in the air from one place to another using an outdoor compressor and an indoor air handler. In the summer, hot air from inside your home is removed — creating a cooler indoor environment. In the winter, the pump extracts heat from the outdoor air or ground and distributes it to your home. But with our frigid winters, a heat pump needs to work extra hard to generate heat. That can drive your electricity bill through the roof.
No matter what system or fuel you choose, how you use and maintain it makes a big difference.
Regular maintenance is one of the simplest ways to improve efficiency and extend the life of your system. An annual tune-up will also catch small issues before they turn into costly repairs, as well as protect your warranty.
Another smart way to maximize efficiency without sacrificing comfort is to use a smart or programmable thermostat to lowering your thermostat by a few degrees when you’re asleep or away from home. Programmable and smart thermostats make this easy, adjusting temperatures automatically based on your schedule.
A new heating system is a significant investment that is worth every penny. The pros at Roberts Energy have decades of experience helping families in northern Vermont keep their homes warm. Whether you have home-heating equipment questions, are looking for reliable heating oil, kerosene or propane delivery, or need equipment installation or service, Roberts’ team is here for you.
Contact us for more information today.
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