Switch to Radiant Heating
Radiant heating is one of the most recommended methods of keeping your home warm during cold seasons. The four main reasons homeowners switch to radiant heating are flexibility, efficiency, feasibility, and quality. DHL Mechanical is heatings experts and can advise any number of great in floor heating systems , as well repair current boilers, and systems .
- Flexibility: You can install the radiant heating system in the smallest and largest rooms in your home. It is easy to install over the existing floor. You can cover it with one more layer of tiles or boards from wall to wall. There is no need to install external radiators or other heating devices. You can choose the best interior design for the rooms without having to worry about disturbances from the radiant heating system.
- Efficiency: Radiant heating system is efficient, since it doesn’t heat the air in the room. The electromagnetic radiation generated by the system transfers the heat directly onto the objects and persons in the room. Hence, the probability of heat loss is near to zero. You can customize the panel layout, switching system, and the level of heating for every room individually. The system uses the energy for selective heating. It improves energy efficiency and eliminates waste.
- Feasibility: The radiant heating system is technically and financially more feasible compared to the other forms. There is no need to install external heating devices. The radiant heating pipes ad panels are relatively cost effective compared too the o of heating. The entire infrastructure is easy to install and configure. When you use the Hydronic system, it increases the safety parameters. The investment you make on the system gets recovered within a few months of installation.
- Quality: Quality of air within the radiant heated space is the best and the most hygienic. The radiations can eliminate humidity, kill the molds and bacteria, and keep the air fee from contaminants in all the possible forms.
Best Practices for Radiant Heating and Cooling
Best practices for radiant heating and cooling start from analysis and system design. Calculation of space volume, assessment of external factors (average-maximum-minimum room temperature, condensation, existing ventilation, required insulation, etc), occupancy, required heating/cooling level, and related factors will be helpful. Proximity to heat source (Ex: Boiler) can determine the type of piping to be installed.
- Design: Radiant heating design consists of two parts. First part consists of boiler installation location and piping layout. The second part involves the installation of heating panels within the individual rooms and connectivity to the operating controls. Piping material, distance, vertical height, water pressure, and external insulation for pipes can determine consistency in supply water temperature. Condensing boilers can work at an efficiency of more than 90% since they utilize flue gas to heat water. Parallel piping to individual rooms can improve heating efficiency. Utilization of return water temperature will also help improve efficiency.
- Material: PEX tubes are mostly recommended for radiant heating systems. The material can retain heating and cooling factors from the point of heating/cooling to the points of distribution within every room. PEX is also highly flexible and strong. It can endure the stress factors of mechanical coupling, joints, fittings, looping, and other stress factors. Diameter of tubes within the panels, supply and return paths determine the consistency of flow rate, pressure, and heat retention. It is easy to form multiple looping patterns in every room, depending on the heating requirements. The material for external pipes can be PVC coated pipes which can withstand the flowing water temperature and prevent loss during transmission from source to the target points. Under-slab and edge insulation materials made of high grade foam can help preserve the heat without loss.
- Panel: Panel dimension depends on the space volume (to be heated or cooled) and available surface area (floor, wall or ceiling).
Radiant Heating – Why Switch?
Radiant heating is the safest and the most “silent” form of keeping your home warm, hygienic, and refreshing through cold seasons. You can install the system beneath almost all types of flooring. It doesn’t heat the air in your living space. So, you don’t sweat or experience difficulty in breathing. Time required for heating for a given volume of space is the least compared to other modes. Proper insulation can ensure longest heat retention time. So, you can save on energy by its smart utilization.
- Health Benefits: Radiant heating can eliminate most of the airborne bacteria and infection causing elements. It condenses the floating humidity and removes it from air. So, the probability of mold and mildew deposits and growth on the floor, walls and ceiling. Your living space remains free from dust and allergens.
- Optimum Heating: You can control the required heating level in every room, independent of the others. You can also turn off heating wherever it is not required. Installation of sensors at the heating source can determine the changes heating requirement by detecting the temperature of return water. So, the fuel supply volume and the heating level also get customized. There is no loss of energy. You can change the source of heating based on your specific requirement (solar, Hydronic, etc).
- Safe Heating: With radiant heating, you don’t need any external devices like the radiator, electrical installations, etc. Hence, it is the safest method of heating for homes with children and elderly family members. It is also the most “silent” system since there is absolutely no noise of radiators, flowing water, and vibrating air from forced air systems.
- Saves Money: The average monthly expenses on home heating bills reduce considerably. You can also utilize the heating source for supplying hot water for your bathroom, kitchen, garage and other points of requirements.