Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Electric Vs Hydronic Radiant Heating – How Do They Work?

With the advances in modern technology, maximizing your home’s comforts has become a lot easier. However with the arrival of newer and more efficient hvac installation service  also comes a level of uncertainty. Many times, homeowners find it difficult to understand how the latest innovations in heating and air conditioning such as radiant floor heating work and how they can benefit from it. If you are interested in radiant floor heaters for your home but are unsure about how they work, read on.
Radiant floor heating is one of the latest innovations in the HVAC industry and is a more natural option for heating up your home. They also require a lesser amount of energy to function than traditional home heating units and are available in both electric and hydronic varieties.
Electric
The first type of radiant floor heaters utilizes a series of heating cables that are installed underneath the floorboards of your home. This set of cables distributes the heat throughout the various areas of your house. When looking to purchase the electric option, it is important to keep a few things in mind.
•    The system constitutes of three main parts which include a thermostat, heat cable, and temperature sensor.
•    As electricity is not always the cheapest source of energy, electric radiant heaters are often preferred for smaller areas. For instance, if you are aiming to heat the floors of the otherwise cool areas of your home such as the kitchen or bathroom, investing in this option is viable, but when it comes to heating your entire home, an electric option can be quite costly.
•    Installing the electrical system does not require a thorough knowledge of wiring and if you are handy enough, it can be done as a DIY project, however if you are unsure, it is best to contact your local Heating contractor to make sure your system operates without a hitch.
Hydronic
A hydronic radiant floor heater operates using warm water that is transferred through a network of plastic tubes that are positioned beneath or within your home’s flooring. This network of underground tubing allows the water to be transferred throughout the varying areas of your home, heating them. Some factors to consider before making this choice are:
•    Installing a hydronic system consists of a boiler, pump and gas lines. It can also require electric zone vales and additional pumps.
•     Unlike the electrical system, installing the hydronic system on your own can be a difficult task especially if you do not have a great deal of knowledge about electrical and plumbing systems.
•    This option is, however, a lot more cost effective if your intention is to heat the entirety of your home. The hydronic system will provide a significant amount of heat at a lower running cost than the electrical.
•    The heat source of a hydronic system is generally a boiler or a hot water heater installation. In some instances, home owners can also use their existing boilers to support the hydronic system.
So if you are looking to replace or upgrade your current home heating system, radiant floor heating may be the perfect choice for you. Your local Heating and Air Conditioning company can help answer all your questions regarding how you can get started.

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