Comfort
The number one reason to choose radiant heat is comfort. Radiant
heat virtually eliminates drafts, stops the noise of heating
systems, cuts down on dust and airborne bacteria and frees up your
wall and floor space to use in any way you want. By eliminating the
floor registers or baseboard heaters that cause drafts,
radiant heat improves your comfort. Favorite areas of radiant heat
include bathroom floors and tub enclosures. You will be warm
from the time you step in until you step out of your daily shower
or bath. Kitchen floor heating allows you to work in stocking or
barefoot comfort, reducing fatigue from cold floors that draw the
heat from you. Foyers and entry ways instantly dry those wet boots
and shoes and warm the jackets in the closet. Family room floors
become big card and board game tables as people are drawn to the
rich warm wood or tile coverings that make you even cozier by
sitting or lying on. In a survey of 80,000 Americans only 20% said
they were very satisfied with their heating systems. Radiant heat
is the only type of system we know of that so closely matches the
system of heating to the ways our bodies feel and give off
heat. It is simply the most comfortable type of
heat.
Energy Savings
Energy savings can be substantial with radiant heat. As much as 50%
energy savings is not unrealistic. Savings come in many forms with
radiant heat. Lower water temperatures require less energy to heat
with. Instead of heating air or water to nearly 200 degrees, a
radiant system will work well with temperatures from 75° - 130°
degrees. For every 3 degrees you lower the supply temperature of a
heating system you save approximately 1% in fuel. (190°- 100° = 90°
÷ 3° = 30% fuel savings) There are less wasted BTU's with this
distribution system. Without the drafts, without the uneven
temperatures and wasted heat near the ceilings, radiant heat can
save 10-15% just because of its superior distribution of the heat.
Radiant heat is easy to zone. This means that instead of heating
the rooms you're not using you can set the thermostat back to a
lower temperature. By zoning the heat, your savings in energy can
be from 5-25% on large homes. Because the basic component of the
radiant system is a boiler, the practicality of adding an indirect
water heater that uses the same energy source will save
substantially over an electric or vented type water heater. The
water heater savings could amount to 10-15% of your energy bill
savings. Overall the small extra amount that it will cost to
install a radiant system over a forced air system will be paid back
in energy savings in 5-7 years in most cases.
Health
Radiant heat is cleaner because it does not require the air
movement that forced air or to a lesser extent baseboard systems
need. If you think baseboard systems don't need air movement to be
effective, try blocking the lower air intake next to the floor in a
room and watch the temperature difference on a cold day. The air
movement is what spreads dust, bacteria, germs, pet dander, radon,
smoke and contaminants around your home. One of the leading causes
in the US for respiratory illnesses according to the American Lung
Association is traced to heating systems that force air movement
through the home. Air heat systems (convection heat) can be adapted
to try correct the problems but drive the systems operation prices
higher without adding the comfort of radiant heat. Elaborate and
expensive to maintain Hepa filters, UV light purification systems
and electronic air filters are all popular options that try to
correct the problems associated with these convection heat
systems.
Resale Value
The resale value of homes equipped with radiant heat are more
desirable and increase the home's value. New home owners get added
comfort and added savings.
Basements
are ideal for radiant heat whether you add warm floor heating to
an existing floor or incorporate the tubing into your new home.
This usually damp, clammy feeling area becomes a favorite cozy room,
with added resale value to your home and added living space as well.
Vaulted
Ceilings and rooms with lots of glass are a particularly hard
challenge for convection heating and lend themselves very well to
radiant heat. Radiant heat concentrates on heating the objects in
the room and the first 6 feet of air space. There is no need for
ceiling fans or high low returns.
Versatility
Versatility is another key to the radiant advantage. Some of
the "tricks" of the trade for added comfort and convenience include
these creature comforts:
Wrapping the back side
of the bath mirrors to eliminate "fogging".
Adding a heated towel
bar for warmed towels as you leave the shower.
Running a separate zone
outside the home in garden beds for an early start to the season an
extended season or to just protect special plants.
By putting extra loops
in a well insulated closet, jackets and boots become heated or dry
off quickly after a rain
A special pet area can
be created in the garage or even outside close to the house without
wasting a lot of energy in the process. You can keep your pets
safely protected from the cold without the mess of letting them in
and out.
Shower stalls and
bathtub floors can have tubing directly underneath to warm the
floors.
Snowmelt systems are
actually less expensive to run and more effective than using a paid
plow service.
