Chapter 18 Further Reading: How Heating Systems Work

Books and Long-Form References

1. "The Homeowner's Complete Guide to Heating Systems" — Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) ACCA is the trade association for HVAC contractors and publishes technical manuals used in the industry. Their consumer guides translate this technical knowledge for homeowners. Particularly useful for understanding system sizing, load calculations, and what to expect from competent contractors. Available through ACCA's website (acca.org).

2. "Residential Energy: Cost Savings and Comfort for Existing Buildings" by John Krigger and Chris Dorsi One of the best reference books for homeowners and energy auditors on the interaction between the building envelope, HVAC systems, and energy consumption. The chapters on heating systems, combustion safety, and heat loss are technically accurate and clearly written. Multiple editions available; look for the most recent.

3. "Build Your Own Net Zero Energy Home" by Bob Ramlow and Benjamin Nusz While focused on new construction, the heating and mechanical systems chapters provide excellent context for understanding modern high-efficiency heating options, heat pumps, and renewable energy integration. Useful for homeowners considering major upgrades.

Government and Non-Profit Resources

4. U.S. Department of Energy — Energy Saver Website (energy.gov/energysaver) The DOE's consumer-facing energy efficiency resource covers every heating system type with current, accurate information. Their heating section includes calculators, system comparisons, and tax credit information updated annually. Free, reliable, and updated more frequently than any printed resource.

5. ENERGY STAR Program — Heating Equipment Specifications (energystar.gov) The EPA's ENERGY STAR program maintains current minimum efficiency thresholds for furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps. Their certified product lists and buying guides help homeowners compare specific equipment before purchasing. The "ENERGY STAR Most Efficient" designation identifies the top-performing equipment in each category each year.

6. American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) — Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings ACEEE publishes research on residential energy efficiency. Their consumer resources explain heating system efficiencies, operating costs, and the economics of upgrades in accessible language with supporting data. Available at aceee.org.

7. Gas Technology Institute (GTI) — Homeowner Combustion Safety Resources The GTI publishes technical guidance on combustion appliance safety, including heat exchanger failure modes and combustion testing procedures. Their resources on CO safety and combustion analysis are particularly relevant to this chapter's safety content.

Online Tools and Calculators

8. Heat Pump Calculator — NEEP Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (ashp.neep.org) NEEP maintains the most comprehensive database of cold-climate heat pump performance data, including performance at various outdoor temperatures and climates. Their ASHP Product List and operating cost calculator let you model heat pump economics for your specific location, utility rate, and equipment choice. Indispensable for anyone considering a heat pump upgrade.

9. Home Energy Saver Pro (homeenergysaver.lbl.gov) — Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory An online home energy assessment tool that estimates heating and cooling loads, models the impact of upgrades (including furnace replacement, insulation, air sealing), and calculates operating costs by fuel type. Based on DOE simulation tools used in professional energy audits.

10. Fuel Cost Comparison Calculator — U.S. EIA (eia.gov) The Energy Information Administration publishes current and historical fuel prices by state, and their energy calculators let you compare the cost of heating with different fuels. Essential for the kind of cost-benefit analysis described in this chapter's case studies.

Safety Resources

11. National Fire Protection Association — NFPA 54 (National Fuel Gas Code) NFPA 54 is the code standard governing the installation of natural gas equipment in homes. While written for contractors and code officials, homeowners who want to understand what correct gas appliance installation looks like — combustion air requirements, venting requirements, clearances — will find the relevant sections accessible. Available for purchase or free reading through many public library systems.

12. Carbon Monoxide Safety — Consumer Product Safety Commission (cpsc.gov) The CPSC maintains consumer-facing safety guidance on CO detectors, placement requirements, and what to do when a detector alarms. Their resources also cover the statistics on CO poisoning fatalities — which number approximately 400 per year in the U.S., with heating equipment the leading cause. Free access at cpsc.gov; search "carbon monoxide."