Central heating, partial/background heating, and individual heaters are three common methods of heating a home. Central heating uses a boiler to heat water that circulates through radiators to keep the home between 16-20 degrees Celsius, and also provides hot water. Partial/background heating uses electric storage heaters to provide gentle background heat. Individual heaters heat each room separately using methods like a fireplace, stove, or electric heater. Proper insulation is important to prevent up to 75% of heat loss through walls, roof, windows, doors and floors using materials like still air, wool, or polystyrene that are poor conductors of heat.

1. Heating and Insulation
© PDST Home Economics

2. Methods of Heating
Central heating: heat created by burning fuel (solid,
oil, gas) in a boiler in a central location and delivered
to the rest of the house by heating and circulating
hot water through radiators . House kept @ 16-20⁰C.
Hot water provided as well.
Partial or background heating: electric storage
heaters using off-peak electricity provide gentle
background heat but some rooms e.g. living room, will
need another heat source
Individual heaters: each room has its own source of
heat e.g. Open fire, stove, portable gas heater,
electric fan heater, oil filled radiator.

3. Methods of
Heating
 Ce
nt
r
al
 Bac
kgr
o
u
nd
 I
ndi
vi
d
ual

4. Heating methods
Advantages Disadvantages
Quick
Efficient i.e. no waste
Clean
Easy to use
Pleasant
No storage needed
Heats water
No fumes or ashes
Easy to regulate
Portable
Cheaper to run
Modern features e.g. timer
Dries the air
No hot water
Dangerous
Storage needed
Gives off fumes
Not cosy
Lots of work
Dirty
Not portable
Causes pollution
Not easy to control

5. Insulation
Heat is lost from a
house through
walls, roof,
windows, doors and
floors. Good
insulation can stop
75% of this heat
loss.
Insulation is made
from materials
that are bad
conductors of heat
e.g. still air, wool,
polystyrene.

6. Good Insulation
Keeps house warmer
Saves money on heating bills
Saves the environment by using less energy
Sound proofs the house

7. Types of insulation - walls
 Cavity
 Polystyrene
sheets

8. Types of insulation
– attic/roof
 Felt
 Wool
 Fibreglass
 Polystyrene
pellets

9. Types of insulation – windows and
doors
Double glazing
Draught
Excluders
Heavy lined
curtains

10. Insulation for
floors
Polystyren
e sheets
Carpets
Underlay

11. Hot Water Cylinder
Lagging jacket