The days are steadily getting colder, and some of us are scrambling to get quality heating solutions in place before winter arrives. If you’re one of those people looking for a new heating system, you should consider installing radiant heating. Radiant heating has been used for many decades, and is experiencing a resurgence in popularity with the rise of new technology. Read on for an explanation of how radiant heating works, and the benefits it can provide.
How Radiant Heating Operates
Radiant heating operates by applying heat directly to the walls and/or floor of each room in the house. There are a couple of different systems that work this way. Boiler-based radiant heating operates by running hot water through pipes installed in the walls and subfloors of each room. Electric radiant heating uses heating panels to the same effect. It’s called “radiant heating” because heat radiates directly through the surfaces in the room.Advantages of Radiant Heating
Radiant heating provides a number of distinct advantages, compared to more traditional forced air heating systems. For one, radiant heating is far more energy efficient. Forced air systems lose a lot of output to duct leaks, almost 30%, according to the US Department of Energy. Radiant heating systems don’t use ducts, and as such deliver far more energy to the intended destination. Radiant heating systems also heat rooms more evenly than forced air systems. Warm air will always rise to the ceiling, then sink as it cools. This creates uncomfortable hot and cold spots throughout the house. Radiant heating, on the other hand, transmits heat through solid objects. This keeps the heat near the floor of the room, where it will be most useful.If you’d like to install a radiant heating system in your home, call Magnolia Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We install and service radiant heating systems throughout Washington, D.C.
