If you’re in the market for a new heating system, you should consider the many advantages of radiant floor heating versus a conventional furnace with forced air. Not only is radiant heat more efficient, but it also provides a more even, continuous level of warmth.
What is radiant floor heating?
In a radiant floor heating system, warm water flows through flexible plastic tubing called PEX (an acronym for cross-linked polyethylene) that is located underneath or within the floors. The PEX tubing carries the warm water into specific rooms or zones in order to effectively heat the entire room.
In addition to the PEX tubing, the other main components in a radiant heating system include a heat source, pumps, manifolds and controls. The heat source in a radiant floor heating system is typically a boiler or a hot-water heater. However, other heat sources can be used, including highly energy-efficient sources such as geothermal and solar.
Because a radiant floor heating system is designed in zones, you have the luxury of changing temperatures for each room, depending on its use. This makes the system even more energy efficient because unoccupied or lower-use rooms such as a guest bedroom or formal dining room can be set to a lower temperature than rooms with greater use — like a kitchen, bathroom or basement.
The benefits of radiant floor heating versus a conventional forced-air systems
A radiant floor heating system solves all of the inefficiencies inherent in forced-air systems, with some studies showing that they are as much as 30 percent more efficient. Additional benefits include:
· Less heat loss. Because the heating panels in radiant systems are in direct contact with the floor, there is very little heat loss, as there are no long pathways for the warmth to travel. Air doesn’t shoot out of vents in this kind of system, so there are also no breezes to contend with, which allows you to keep the thermostat lower.
· More efficiency and consistency. The blower in a forced air system typically requires nine times the electricity used by the pumps in radiant floor heating systems. Plus, the heat is also more consistent with radiant flooring. Rather than getting blasts of warm air that dramatically raise the room’s temperature, radiant heat provides a continuous level of warmth, which means less fussing with the thermostat.
· More warmth. Another major benefit of radiant over forced air heating is the fact that 50 percent of the heat it produces comes from infrared, a form of invisible light. This type of heat works best as you get closer to it. As a result, because radiant heat is embedded in the floor, it will keep you warmer than heat that collects up near the ceiling. This saves energy not only because you can lower your thermostat, but also because radiant systems need to produce heat in just the 75 to 80 degree Fahrenheit range, as opposed to the 120 to 140 degree Fahrenheit temperatures generated by forced air systems.
No more cold feet…Call Curley Plumbing and Heating today!
Family owned and operated since 1972, Thomas Curley Plumbing and Heating is a fully equipped radiant heat specialist. Licensed and bonded, our name carries a distinguished reputation where quality workmanship, honesty and follow-up are without compromise.
Let Thomas Curley Plumbing and Heating install your radiant floor heating. Call us today at 516-487-6816 to schedule a complimentary consultation. We look forward to seeing you soon! Contact us today!
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