Most homes in our area, and even throughout the country, use some form of forced-air system such as a furnace to keep warm during the cooler months. This is what most homeowners are familiar with, and it’s a very good option for some homes, which is why so many people use furnaces and heat pumps. However, it’s not the only option for your home heating solutions!
Radiant heating has become increasingly popular in recent years, though it’s actually been around for quite a while! In fact, the ancient Romans even used a form of radiant heat. It is a great option for those looking for a different, perhaps more efficient, way to heat their home. Keep reading to learn more about this Park Ridge, IL HVAC system, how it operates, and how it can benefit your household.
What Is Radiant Heating?
Radiant heaters generally come in two forms: hydronic (using heated water) or electric. Hydronic systems use a boiler, which heats and pumps water through a series of tubes installed in the subfloor of each room of your household. The heat from the water in the pipes radiates through the floor and into the room, thus giving the system its name. This type of radiant heater also can make use of modular units like baseboard heaters or iron radiators.
With electric radiant heaters, heating cables are installed in the floor, rather than water pipes. A generator provides the heat instead of a boiler in this case. But other than that difference, these systems are pretty much the same.
The Benefits of Radiant Heating
There are a number of benefits to using a radiant heater, many of which you won’t find with any other heating system. For instance, a radiant heating system doesn’t have to contend with air duct leaks. This could seem like a minor issue, but you may be surprised by how much damaged ductwork can affect the efficiency of a forced-air heating system.
Radiant heaters also typically heat homes more evenly than other heating system types. This is because when warm air is pumped into a room, it naturally rises to the ceiling and drops as it cools. This process creates uneven heating throughout the home. But since radiant heaters transmit heat through solid objects, this keeps the heat near the floor of the room, where it’s most comfortable for your household occupants.
One final benefit is that radiant heating improves the quality of the air in your home. We’re going to talk about your air ducts again—this ductwork is typically full of dust, dander, and other airborne contaminants that can provoke allergy and asthma symptoms in even healthy people. There are multiple indoor air quality products that can help with this, but radiant heating systems eliminate the need for even most of those.
An Important Note on Radiant Heating Installation
It’s important to keep in mind that radiant heating installation is typically best done during new home construction, due to the fact that the pipes or cables need to be installed behind walls or beneath floors. That doesn’t mean that radiant heating installation is impossible in an existing home, but it may involve some construction. We’re happy to discuss your specific situation and needs when you give our team a call!
For quality heating solutions throughout the Chicagoland area, contact Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning today.