Although there are multiple systems that produce heat for a property, they all share the same simple principle; convert energy into heat. Central heating systems accomplish this by burning natural gas in a combustion chamber and then blowing the heated air through duct work throughout the house. The radiant heat system's ideology is similar to central heating where you have a central heating source (the furnace or the boiler) and then it is distributed through a network around the property. Radiant heat heats water instead of air and pushes the heat through pipes and radiators instead of vents. Ductless heating systems (AKA Mini Split) operate similarly to a central heating system, except it uses electricity instead of natural gas to heat the air. It also does not use ducts, so the unit has to be in the same space it is trying to warm. Electric baseboard heaters act as permanent space heaters. They, too, run off of electricity that heats coils inside of the unit. Unlike the other heating methods, baseboard heaters do not have a means of blowing or pushing heat throughout the property. It simply warms the air around it. Lastly, you have wood and coal-burning stoves and fireplaces. These methods are not often utilized in today's world, but some homes and cabins still utilize these heat sources.
