Radiant Floor Heating 101

Tired of riding out the winter in sweats because you can’t afford those heating bills? Radiant underfloor heating is among the most efficient heating methods on the market, keeping not only your toes toasty, but everything in the room from floors to furnishings warm and cozy – and that’s not where the benefits of radiant heating end…  

Hydronic advantages
With proven efficiency up to 30% better than forced air systems, hydronic (liquid) based radiant floor heating loses no warmth to duct loss, as well as far less to leakage (air loss around doors and windows) than forced and convection-style radiators. Quick response times and individual control of each and every room offer additional energy savings. Allergy sufferer? Radiant floor heating systems do not dry out nasal membranes and distribute allergens throughout your home like forced air systems. Hydronic systems also require little electricity, providing off-the-grid operation and the potential for use with a wide variety of energy sources for heat – natural gas, propane, fuel oil, wood or solar heat, ground source heat pumps, boilers, and more, alone or in combination.

What does hydronic mean?
Hydronic means liquid based. Liquid based systems are the most popular and cost-effective of radiant floor heating methods, utilizing a heat source (boiler, solar, etc.) to warm water to between 100 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit, then circulating it though tubing laid in a pattern under the floor to provide warmth. Typically designed to heat an entire house, zoning valves may also be used to separate areas of your home and better regulate room temperatures. While today’s designs employ updated technology, this subfloor heating method has been around since ancient Roman baths, and was even used in Frank Lloyd Wright’s late 1800s housing designs.

Does it have to be installed on a new home, or can it be retrofitted?
Radiant floor heating can be used in both new and existing construction thanks to varied installation methods…

• Wet installations
  Wet installations place tubing or cable in a thick concrete foundation slab or in a thin layer of concrete atop subfloor. They are the oldest form of modern radiant floor heating systems. Professional installation is necessary for these installations, as additional floor support may be necessary for slabs not resting on solid earth.
• Dry installations or “sandwiches”
  Dry installations "sandwich" radiant floor cables or tubing in an air space between two layers of plywood. Rapidly gaining in popularity, they are faster and less costly to build, however these systems must operate at a higher temperature to maintain warmth as they heat an air space versus a solid mass (concrete), which is better able to contain heat.

How much does a radiant heat system cost?
The installation cost of hydronic radiant floor heat varies by the size of your home, location, type of installation (wet or dry), floor covering, and necessary labor. To schedule a free quote by our radiant heat installation professionals, contact H&H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

Are Geothermal Heat Pumps a Good Choice for heating my home?

About 100,000 geothermal heat pumps are installed each year across the United States. Interest in geothermal heating and cooling technology has increased dramatically in recent years alongside the desire for lower utility payments and climate change and energy dependency concerns. For those pondering any one or combination of these issues, geothermal heat pumps may offer an ideal solution.

Efficiency: “Desuperheater” you’ve been looking for
A ground-source heat pump (GSHP), also referred to as a "geothermal" heat pump, is an efficient beast, pumping out more heating and cooling per unit of energy consumed than conventional systems - 25 to 50% less, to be exact. Coupled with an additional device called a “desuperheater,” it can save you on water heating costs to boot, heating the water used in your home in the summer for free, and cutting winter water heating costs by about half.

Benefits: What’s covered...

• Easy compatibility with “zoned” space conditioning – keeping different parts of your home at different temperatures.
• Radiant heat compatibility with desuperheater systems.
• Improved humidity control, with levels at near-perfect, 50% RH levels.
• Space-saving above-ground hardware that requires less room than conventional systems.
• Fewer moving parts, and sheltered components with parts carrying long warranties: 20+ years for heat pumps; 25 to 50 years for pipes.
• Reduced energy consumption and emissions at levels 44% below air-source heat pumps and 72% below electric resistance heating.

Site characteristics
The layout and landscaping on your property will determine horizontal or vertical system design. Geology and hydrology also play a role in determining compatible hardware for you system, with certain variations requiring more or less piping for temperature control. However shallow ground temperatures are constant throughout the U.S., making professional installations possible nearly anywhere.

Economics: Seeing the forest through the trees
With the right combination of climate, soil conditions, and system features, geothermal heat pumps offer savings that vary by installation type:

• New build
  Installed in a new home, you can recoup your geothermal heat pump investment in 2 to 10 years through lower utility bills. Include the costs in your mortgage and gain a positive cash flow from day one.
• Retrofit
  Retrofit installations offer much lower utility bills, leading to investment recuperation in the same 2 to 10 years as those installed with new builds.

Incentives: Following the dangling carrot
For those yearning for a geothermal heat pump but cringing at costs, there are a ton of breadcrumb trails to follow to savings… Energy efficient mortgages from your local lender can cover this and other energy saving improvements to your home. Also available, federal and state tax incentives alongside those from your local power provider to help you more easily afford this greener, cleaner technology.

Installation: Not for the do-it-yourselfer
Specialized knowledge and equipment is key to geothermal heat pump sizing and installation. Ensure success with the trained professionals at H&H Heating & Air Conditioning. Contact us to learn more about geothermal heat pump installation at your site today.  

How to Maintain the Efficiency of your Water Heater if you have Hard Water

Hard water can cause serious problems for appliances, especially your home's water heater. Mineral buildup inside your water heater tank consisting of calcium, magnesium, and other deposits can greatly reduce its lifespan. Luckily, you can prevent unexpected troubles – and the untimely demise of this often overlooked but frequently used appliance - with a little bit of routine maintenance.

Sneaky sediment
Just as your HVAC system needs maintenance, so too does your water heater to keep mineral sediment from building up and clogging fixtures. Its mere operation – heating water – produces the sediment that lines your tank. The hotter the water, the greater the sediment buildup, making turning down the temperature a smart move not only to prevent burns and over-inflated utility bills, but to protect the efficiency and lifespan of this appliance.  

Flushing – It’s not just for the toilet
You can rid your water heater of sediment much the same as you would rid waste in the bathroom – with a simple flush. How can you accomplish this?

• Turn off the power and/or the gas.
• Close the shutoff valve on the cold water supply pipe.
• Release pressure in the tank by turning on a hot water faucet anywhere in the house.
• Drain the water, taking care to remember it is scalding hot, and must be handled carefully. Two-to-three gallons should be sufficient.
• Close the drain valve. If it won’t close completely after the flush, you may need a replacement.
• Restore water supply so your tank can fill.
• Note noises indicate air in the system, and are not harmful.
• Red alert! Turning on your water heater before it has refilled with water could permanently damage the heater – or create a dangerous situation.
• Turn on a faucet in your home to purge air in the system.
• Turn the power back on/re-light the pilot.
• Repeat this flushing process every four-to-six months.
• If you are unsure of your ability to complete any of the tasks above, enlist the help of a dependable service and maintenance heating repair professional.

De-liming: Not a DIY endeavor
Notice a hard buildup on the surface of your tank’s interior during flushing? This hard lime or scale buildup results from tanks that go too long between flushing or cleaning, or in systems heating extremely hard water. As with scale, it can also cause operational issues, reduced efficiency, and shortened system life. Flushing will not clear it. Removing it requires the use of strong chemicals which, if used improperly, could create dangerous conditions including etching and damage to your tank, exposure to acid burns during cleanout, water contamination, and even explosion. Do not try this at home. Reducing lime scale buildup in your tank is better and more safely managed by turning down the temperature of the heater (120 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended), flushing your tank if you are capable, and calling a pro for regular professional maintenance including a more thorough cleaning and inspection of essential components such as electrodes and pressure relief valve. 

Hot water heater left you high and dry? H&H Heating & Air can help, with after-hours and emergency services to get your life back afloat. Contact us today.

Things to Consider when Installing a New Hot Water Heater

Cold shower? Emergency repair may not be enough. You may need a new water heater.  In high-demand, your average tank-style water heater is only designed to last 8-12 years, putting water heater replacement at the top of the list of common home improvements.

What things should you consider before installing a new water heater?

• Water heater type
  Water heaters come in many different types, including gas and electric water heaters such as American-made Bradford White water heaters, and tankless and tank-style models:
  
• Tankless
  Ninenty-nine percent efficient, tankless systems use a heat exchanger rather than a storage tank, taking up far less space and boosting efficiency with on-demand access. Though they last longer and have more extensive warranties, they also require increased maintenance and additional installation costs.
• Tank-style
  Tankless not in the budget? No worries. Traditional models still offer at least 93% efficiency, with those featuring new heat-pump technology to boost efficiency (like your HVAC system) offering even more.
• Hybrid
  Hybrid systems combine the best of both conventional and tankless elements.
• Water heater size
  Water heater size is not the only thing that matters – you must also consider “first hour ratings” – how many gallons the heater can supply (and replace) per hour. U.S. News reports a new 50-gallong tank with a first hour rating of 35 only yields enough hot water for two 8 minute showers. If that’s not sufficient, you’re going to have to think bigger – or go tankless for constant, on-demand hot water access.
• Timespan
  Upgrading to a tankless system from a tank-style water heater takes much longer – 10-12 hours versus the 2-3 our installation time of traditional systems.
• Installation cost
  The cost of professional water heater installation from even the best heating and air conditioning companies is widely variable by project. Cost can vary greatly based on factors such as replacement type (will your new system be the same style and size as your previous water heater – or will retrofitting be necessary?), the installation site, and changes necessary to bring the installation up to code (venting, electrical and gas supplies, and more). Over-the-phone estimates are not possible. The site must first be surveyed and you must know what type of water heater you’d prefer to replace your existing one with to ensure an accurate installation quote.
• Safety
  While saving a buck map prompt you to attempt a DIY installation, you will be far safer going with a pro hvac technician. This will not only ensure proper permits and a system safely installed to current local plumbing codes, but prevent related dangers such as gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning risks, electrical risks (electric heaters require 240 volts), clearance headaches, water damage and possible mold issues from improperly installed systems.

Information overload cause your brain to spring a leak? The professionals at H&H Heating & Air Conditioning are here to guide you through the water heater purchasing process so you can make the right choice for your home, family, and budget. Contact us today to learn more about our extensive array of efficient, high-performance water heating systems.