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Typically, when heating systems or appliances are compared, all the costs that are incurred—purchase, installation, operation, and maintenance costs—can be combined into a life-cycle cost, the cost of ownership over a period of years. The table below compares the various types of central heating systems:
| Compare | Safety | Installation Cost | Operating Cost | Maintenance Cost | Life-Cycle Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combustion-Based | A Concern | Moderate | Moderate | High | Moderate |
| Heat Pump | Excellent | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Geothermal or Ground-Source Heat Pump | Excellent | High | Low | Low | Low |