HOW TO HEAT OUR HOMES

The Romans invented the hypocaust system – an early method for efficiently distributing heat

7 HOLLOW BRICK

The walls of the building were hollow to allow heat to rise through them.

6 COMFORTABLE HOMES

This heating system could heat the air in rooms up to 30 degrees Celsius.

5 FURNACE

People were required to keep wood burning in the furnace, releasing heat.

4 HEAT CIRCULATION

The gaps between the stacks of brick created passages for hot air to spread horizontally.

3 TRANSFORMED BATHS

Romans are famous for their baths. While early Roman baths were heated by natural hot water springs, hypocausts were also used from the 1st century.

2 CHAMBER SYSTEM

Below the ground, brick pillars called pilae supported the building.

1 SMOKE PASSAGE

Cavities in the walls were essential to stop a buildup of smoke in the home. Smoke travelled vertically, released through the roof’s chimneys.