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When winter rolls around, and you turn the heat on for the first time in a year, it’s normal to sense a light odor. This could smell a little like burning because some dust has gathered in the heating unit over the warm months and will fade away shortly after. However, there are some smells you should watch out for and take caution around: an egg-like sulfur smell or an electrical burn odor would indicate there’s something wrong. Turn it off and call a professional for maintenance as soon as possible. 

Hydronic and standard electric baseboard heaters differ in how they operate, their cost, and their performance. Standard convection heaters use electric coils to heat the air directly, while hydronic heaters warm a contained liquid like water or oil, which then radiates heat into the room.

In terms of cost and efficiency, hydronic heaters usually have a higher upfront price but are more energy-efficient and cheaper to run over time. This is because the heated liquid retains warmth, allowing the heater to continue providing heat for a while after the thermostat turns it off. In contrast, electric heaters provide heat more quickly but are less efficient.

Ultimately, the better choice depends on your priorities. If you need a room to heat up fast and have a lower initial budget, an electric heater might be suitable. If long-term energy savings are more important and you don't mind a slower heat-up time, a hydronic heater is likely the better option.

Chilled water HVAC systems use water instead of traditional components and refrigerants. They're more common in commercial settings than residential ones but are slowly being adopted by some homebuilders to cool homes. As the name implies, the system keeps the water chilled at 40 degrees and circulates it through water coils. The water absorbs the heat from your home and drains outdoors. Condo apartments are more likely to have chilled water HVAC than single-family homes because this system is designed to cool several rooms or large areas individually.

On average, you’ll need about two gallons of oil per day to heat your house when it’s 50 degrees Fahrenheit outside. Most oil tank capacity is about 275 gallons, and heating your house with two gallons of oil per day will last about four and a half months. This consumption will vary depending on the climate and average temperature in your location. For example, if the winters are longer and colder where you live, you’ll probably need to refill your oil tank at least once to get through the winter.