Heating

Heating, process of providing heat and controlling the temperature in a particular environment. Human beings are warm-blood animals, most comfortable in an atmosphere between 70° F (21° C) and 78° (26° C). Heating provides a way for people to function in very cold climates. Central heating systems provide consistent and monitored heat for a building or home and are regulated by a thermostat, a device that automatically measures and adjusts an area's temperature. These systems are powered by electricity, gas, or oil and are common in the United States. Other countries often use fireplaces, room heaters, or wood-burning stoves.

See also: Heat.