Most homes in America rely on a furnace to heat their homes. But just because it’s a common choice doesn’t make it the best choice for every family and house. There are many different ways to heat your home, but one of the best ways is with a radiant heating system. Ready to learn more? Keep reading for everything you need to know about radiant heating.
What is Radiant Heating?
Unlike an HVAC system that heats air and circulates it through ducts, radiant heating is placed under the home’s flooring. The heat then radiates into the room to keep everything warm. Here are the three primary types of radiant heating.
Hydronic Radiant Heating
Hydronic radiant heating is powered by the hot water in your boiler. A series of tubing leads from the boiler to the area you want to heat; when you turn it hot, the hot water is pumped through the tubing to heat the space.
Hydronic heating is the most common type of radiant heating, thanks to its versatility. When designing the system, professionals can concentrate heat in some regions of the home and avoid others that aren’t used as much. That means you can adjust each room’s temperature independently from the others.
Air-Heated Radiant Heating
Instead of using water to heat the system, this type of heating uses air. While air-heated radiant heating may work in some small spaces, it’s not the best option for most homes. With this type, you still have to have a furnace to heat the air, so you’re still using just as much energy (and money) to stay warm. In some cases, you might be able to use this under-floor heating in conjunction with a solar heating system to reduce costs, but it still won’t be as efficient as hydronic radiant heating.
Electric Radiant Heating
Electric radiant heating is the most expensive option of the three. It uses electric cables under the floor for heating instead of water or air. And while it does cost a lot to run, it’s a great option if you want to heat a newly-built part of your home that isn’t currently connected to the primary heating system. In addition, running an electric radiant heating system only when needed and in smaller spaces could make it more cost-efficient.
Why Get Radiant Heating
There are a ton of benefits to investing in a radiant heating system, whatever type you choose. Here are some of the things you can look forward to:
- Increased efficiency in heating large spaces.
- Better air quality compared to an HVAC system that dries out the air and spreads allergens.
- Lower electricity bills. Radiant heating is a cost-effective heating method.
- Less noise. An underfloor radiant heating system is nearly silent to run.
- Increased safety. Because all heating elements are under the flooring, there’s no danger of touching a too-hot radiator.
Choose Plumbing & Heating in Stoneham, MA
If you’d like to learn more about radiant heating systems, Elite Plumbing & Heating Inc. can assist. Our heating experts can help you select and install a great radiant floor heating system that will keep your home warm all winter long. Give us a call today at 781-438-2997
