A typical residential central heating system functions by warming air at a central location and distributing that heated air throughout a building via a network of ducts. This type of system commonly employs a furnace, which burns fuel, or an electric resistance heater to increase the temperature of the air. The warmed air is then propelled by a blower fan through ductwork to vents or registers in individual rooms.
The widespread adoption of this heating method stems from its relatively high efficiency, its ability to provide consistent and uniform heating across multiple rooms simultaneously, and the ease with which it can be integrated with air conditioning systems for year-round climate control. Furthermore, the technology is well-established and has undergone continuous refinement, resulting in improvements in energy efficiency and reliability over time. The capability to filter the air circulated through the system is an added benefit, contributing to improved indoor air quality.