Page 40 - The Homeowner's Handbook 2017

THE HOMEOWNER’S HANDBOOK EIGHTH EDITION

Everything You Need to

Know About Radiant Heat

Consider the four big benefits of radiant heat, and you’ll understand

why it is poised to grow as the heating system of choice in today’s
high-performance homes.

ADIANT FLOOR HEATING—A concept that’s
been around since ancient Roman times—isn’t
a tough system to understand, install, operate
or maintain. In fact, it’s one of those systems
people hear about and think, “Wow. I’d like to
Rhave heated water circulating underneath my
floor, warming everything it touches.”

Here are the four key benefits of
in-floor radiant heat systems:
#1: COMFORT
“Comfort” is a key reason people consider installing a radiant heat
system in their house. With radiant, heat slowly rises from the floor
as opposed to blowing down at different temperatures with a forced-
air system. Radiant floor heating produces room temperatures at
75 °F at floor level, declining to 68 °F at eye level, and then to 61 °F
at the ceiling.
According to the Radiant Panel Association, a radiant heat floor CREDIT: UPONOR
normally feels “neutral” with a surface temperature lower than
normal body temperature, although the overall sensation is one of
comfort. # 4: COST
# 2: EFFICIENCY Before looking at cost, consider durability: A radiant system lasts
The water in a hydronic radiant floor system has the capacity to two to three times longer than a typical furnace, primarily because it
transport energy 3,500 times greater than air, so it can heat (and doesn’t have as many moving parts. The boiler system can last 20 to
even cool) using less energy than a forced-air system. This amounts 30 years; the piping in the floor—radiant heat system manufacturer
to greater comfort at a lower thermostat setting, which provides Uponor offers a durable crosslinked polyethylene (PEX)—will last
reduced energy use and lower energy bills. for the life of the home.
In fact, more people are comfortable with radiant floor heating The actual costs for installation and equipment vary greatly, de-
set at a lower thermostat setting than with forced-air heating at pending on the manufacturer, type of system, the size of area to be
a higher setting. In addition, a radiant heating system works in heated, type of zoning and controls required, flooring type and labor
zones, allowing different areas of a home to be at varying tem- cost. There are other factors as well, such as whether you are ripping
peratures. out an existing floor or installing the system in a new concrete floor.
While radiant is more expensive up front than a forced-air sys-
# 3: HEALTH
tem, by rolling it into your mortgage you can enjoy the benefits of
A radiant floor heating system provides very high indoor air quality the system immediately; if you choose forced air, you pay less up
because it does not use fans or blowers, which can circulate dirt, front but will have higher utility bills, lower indoor air quality and
dust and other allergens throughout a home. Plus, warm radiant reduced comfort.
floors can eliminate the need for carpeting, which is a breeding To learn how radiant heat systems work, visit Uponor at www.
ground for dust mites, a very common cause of allergy-related uponor-usa.com.
respiratory diseases.
38 GREEN BUILDER The Homeowner’s Handbook 2017 www.greenbuildermedia.com

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