What is Radiant Heating?

People typically think of heating their homes in terms of warm air blasting from a vent and warming the air. Some may be surprised to know there are other solutions that can be more efficient, environmentally responsible, and work just as well or even better. Radiant heating is a system of heating that may be a great option for your home.

What Is It?

Radiant energy gets emitted from a heat source and warms the surface area of objects via the radiation of heat. This is also known as infrared radiation. With radiant heating, your walls, floors, or ceilings will be heated and they will produce heat into the room. Instead of warming the air, this heat source warms people and object directly. The effect is the same as your oven warming the kitchen when it is in use.

There are several systems to choose from including underfloor, which can be electric or hydronic, wall, radiant ceiling panels, or overhead gas fired. The hydronic systems are particularly energy efficient. There are differences between each method, so speak with a professional about which of these options will work best for you. Keep in mind each method can also be used as a complement to your current system, reducing the energy costs of your traditional method of heating.

Who Needs It?

This is a practical solution for people who are looking to cut the cost of their heating oil. As prices rise, those with radiant heating will not have to be concerned with keeping their tanks filled with oil for the cold winters. It is also possible to install radiant heating in only certain areas of your home, enabling you to heat these rooms more efficiently. If you find areas of your home are particularly cold, or if your family spends most of their time in only one room, you can choose a single-space method of radiant heating that will allow you to cut back on whole-house heating.

Since radiant heating does not blow a supply of air into a room, it is a cleaner way to heat. Those with breathing problems such as asthma, or those who suffer from allergies will benefit from this method of heating their homes. The allergens that would normally be dispelled into the air via the ducts and vents will not be a problem with radiant heating. If your home has poor insulation this method of heating can also help. It works best in colder climates and is not of much use for warm climates. It is also energy efficient. So if you are looking for ways to upgrade your home, this may be an option.

Benefits

If you are searching for ways to improve the air quality in your home, radiant heating is a great solution. Most people are surprised by how dirty forced-air and baseboard heating make their homes. Those with radiant heating report less dust settling on objects and swirling in the air in their house. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, this method of heating is more efficient than baseboard and forced air heating because energy is not lost as heated air moves through the duct system.

Radiant heating can be associated with a solar-powered water system or geothermal heat pump. This enables homeowners to create a fully environmentally friendly space. According to House-Energy.com, a home energy online resource, this is the best way in which to heat your home if you decide to pursue energy efficient upgrades. It is also a great solution if your home is not located on the power grid. The system uses minimal electricity and will save on your generator. The heating can be installed as a do-it-yourself project, and manuals and instructions are both available online.

Risks

The most important thing to remember if you are installing radiant heating is to be sure you have met all of the compliance requirements. You will need to apply for a license and receive approval. Your application may require a letter from the manufacturer of your radiant heating system, which most companies are happy to supply. If you are having the heating installed professionally, ask the installation company if they handle building codes requirements. Most professional installation companies understand what is required and will take care of this beforehand.

Radiant heating is not the best solution for warmer climates. It is expensive to install, so the expense is difficult to justify if your home is warm most of the year. Once the system is up and running, it will save money for those whose options are oil and forced air heating. However, if you find your home does not require heating most of the year, it is financially not worth the upgrade. Use your judgement when making the decision to switch to radiant heating.

The Bottom Line

Radiant heating is a great way to boost the energy efficiency of your home. It can be an economical improvement, and you will find your home is cleaner and healthier when using this heating method. If you are considering radiant heating, find a reputable HVAC installation company and speak with them about your current system and what you would need for an upgrade.