Radiant Heating
Modern style, in-floor radiant heat.
We like to tell people having radiant heat in your home is a little bit like driving a luxury car. Sure, the economy model will get the job done, but a little more money spent up front can make your life much more comfortable. Don’t get us wrong, forced air heating will do a fine job of keeping your house warm, just as it does millions of others, but it’s not the only choice for your Indiana home.
What we are talking about
Radiant heating has been around for centuries (think Roman Empire) but the most common modern style is in-floor radiant heat. A boiler heats water and it’s pumped through tubing installed under the floor. You may have grown up with a different type of radiant heat with hot water or steam pumped through radiators in your school or home.
But what does it mean?
Radiant heat is the same thing as the sun streaming through your windows. It does not heat the air; it heats objects in the room which radiates heat to other objects and eventually warms the air in the room. As common as forced air heating has become, heating air is inefficient when compared to heating water which holds the heat for much longer.
Benefits of Radiant Heating
Here are some reasons why radiant heat is the “luxury car” of heating systems:
- No blowers & fans—They are noisy and blow hot air around the house which also carries dust and allergens. Floor heating is quiet as the heat slowly warms all the objects in the room.
- Fewer hot & cold spots—Many times with a forced air system the upstairs is too hot, and the downstairs is too cold. Those problems are virtually nonexistent with radiant heating.
- No registers or return ducts—This gives the homeowner complete freedom to arrange and decorate as they please. No worrying about covering up the hot air registers with the sofa or entertainment center.
- Complete control—Radiant floor heating can be easily zoned, meaning each room or area can be set to different temperatures. Zoning is possible with forced air systems, but it’s much more difficult to accomplish.
- Save money—Radiant heating is generally 25% more efficient than forced air. A big reason is you don’t have ductwork. In a typical duct system, it’s not unusual to lose 30% of your hot air before it even gets to the living areas in your home.
Disadvantages of Radiant Heating
It takes longer for a radiant system to warm a home when compared to forced air. Let’s say you leave home in the winter and turn the heat down to 55℉. You need to plan your return trip to make sure your home has time to return to a comfortable temperature. Of course, any modern radiant system can also be controlled by a Wi-Fi enabled thermostat so you can turn the heat up while you’re driving home.
The decision is yours
We understand not everyone can afford to drive a luxury car. The upfront cost of radiant floor heating is higher than a forced air system, but there is value in the increased comfort. Additionally, over time the greater efficiency will help pay for the system. Call Masters to learn more about the advantages of installing radiant heat in your existing or new home.
