There are many ways available to keep your home warm, so it is a given that some are more energy efficient than others. After all, there is the traditional fireplace, coal burning heaters, wood stoves, electric heat and radiant heat. Yet one of the most energy efficient methods, radiant heat, is perhaps one of the most unused, despite having been around since the days of the early Romans.
History shows that the early Romans used radiant floor heat as a form of central heating for their villas and baths by directing flue gases from beneath the stone slab floors. However, this method of heating ultimately became obsolete, until the early 20th century when it was rediscovered and then adapted by modern science so that hot water was run through the iron or copper pipes. In fact, when Frank Lloyd Wright began designing houses, he frequently employed radiant heating.
As with any "new" thing, it took time for radiant heating to become more standard, but today there are many companies that specialize in the installation and maintenance of this energy efficient method of heating one's home. And, despite claims by more traditional heating methods that assert as much as a 92% efficiency rating, a radiant heat system is actually 30-40% more efficient than forced-air heating systems. This is due to a simple law of science: hot air rises and cold air falls. Consequently, radiant heat rises up from the floor heating the air from the bottom up, then during the warmer months the system is combined with an attic mounted air conditioning system so the air is cooled efficiently and effectively-saving the homeowner money!
If you are building a new home, or merely thinking about upgrading your current home heating system, think about these reasons for using radiant heat:
History shows that the early Romans used radiant floor heat as a form of central heating for their villas and baths by directing flue gases from beneath the stone slab floors. However, this method of heating ultimately became obsolete, until the early 20th century when it was rediscovered and then adapted by modern science so that hot water was run through the iron or copper pipes. In fact, when Frank Lloyd Wright began designing houses, he frequently employed radiant heating.
As with any "new" thing, it took time for radiant heating to become more standard, but today there are many companies that specialize in the installation and maintenance of this energy efficient method of heating one's home. And, despite claims by more traditional heating methods that assert as much as a 92% efficiency rating, a radiant heat system is actually 30-40% more efficient than forced-air heating systems. This is due to a simple law of science: hot air rises and cold air falls. Consequently, radiant heat rises up from the floor heating the air from the bottom up, then during the warmer months the system is combined with an attic mounted air conditioning system so the air is cooled efficiently and effectively-saving the homeowner money!
If you are building a new home, or merely thinking about upgrading your current home heating system, think about these reasons for using radiant heat:
- Consistent warmth throughout the home because heat loss from occupants is reduced as the higher temperatures are nearer to the floor while cooler temperature are at ceiling level.
- More effective use of energy as the rooms are not pressurized and allowing air and heat to seep out.
- Temperatures stay even throughout the home as you can set the temperatures based needed heat levels. Also, because the heat is dispersed through the floor, there is no need to have the furniture set up a specific way to allot for air vents.
- Radiant heat is quiet. Because the heat is produced by water moving through pipes in the floor, there is no need for the system to make any noise when the heater "kicks in". The only sound comes from the burner in the boiler.
- Miniscule amounts of bad air as only 5% of the heat is transferred by convection. This means that there is no dust, odors, germs or allergens being dispersed throughout a building.
- Durability is perhaps the greatest benefit of radiant heating thanks to PEX tubing that is used in installation. It will last for years and requires little or no maintenance.
For additional information on the topic of radiant heat systems visit Northern Air Plumbing & Heating.
Article independently authored by Janet M. Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Northern Air Plumbing & Heating. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog. |
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