Radiant heating is the type of heating that comes from a boiler (i.e. hydronic heating). The boiler heats water and then pumps it to points in the house where it warms up objects: a baseboard heater, a radiator, or special in-floor pipes that heat the floor. Warmth then radiates from these objects into the living space, spreading heat without having to blow around air the way furnaces and heat pumps do (forced-air systems).
You may have considered getting a radiant heating system for your house. We definitely encourage your interest in this, because radiant heating can offer you some excellent benefits:
Energy savings
Radiant heating can save you money compared to many forced-air systems. There are several reasons for this:
- Water is a more effective heat transfer medium than air, so less energy is lost when using radiant heating.
- Radiant heating, particularly in-floor heating, works faster at warming a room. You won’t need to run a radiant heating system as often as a forced-air one.
- Because radiant systems do not use ductwork, they don’t have heat loss through the duct walls—or any of the other costs associated with ducts, like repairs and cleaning.
Even heating
The way radiant heating spreads through a room creates a more even distribution of warmth than that coming from a forced-air heater. With a forced-air system, hot air is blown out of the vents and rises to the ceiling. It takes longer for the heat to spread through the space and it leaves cold spots. Radiant heating starts from the floor and spreads out evenly throughout a room, warming it quickly and thoroughly.
Improved indoor air quality
One of the drawbacks of using any ducted HVAC system is that dust and debris collect inside the ductwork. Whenever the blower fan comes on, a blast of these pollutants is sent out into the air. Radiant heating doesn’t stir around dust or any other particles: it’s clean heat. This can make an enormous difference for people in a house who suffer from asthma and allergies.
Cozy warmth
This is more subjective, but people tend to find radiant heating more comfortable than forced-air heating. It feels like the warmth from the sun. With in-floor heating, you have the special benefit of waking up in the morning to warm floors.
Find your best options for home heating
Radiant heating isn’t the optimal choice for all situations. If your home already has an extensive network for ducts for a furnace or heat pump, it’s best to stick with a forced-air heating system rather than make drastic changes to the house to install a hydronic heating system. But if you are doing major renovations or remodeling to your house, it’s an excellent opportunity to switch over to radiant heating, especially in-floor systems, which are increasing in popularity.
We can answer all your questions regarding radiant heating in Indianapolis, IN , starting with whether one is a good choice for your comfort needs. We offer full-service installations for a range of heating systems and back up our work with a 100% Happiness Guarantee.
