When it’s time to install a new heater in your home, you have a wide variety of options to choose from. One of those options is radiant heat. If you’ve never heard of this type of heater, you may be wondering, what is radiant heat?
It’s actually one of the best ways to provide heat from your home, although the installation process can be quite a lot if you don’t have an existing radiant heat system. You can keep reading to learn more about how radiant heat works, and the benefits of having this type of heater installed in your home.
How Does Radiant Heat Work?
Radiant heat is different from other types of central heaters. Instead of using airflow to move heat through your home, a radiant heater uses pipes full of boiling hot water to transfer heat. These pipes are usually installed in your floors or walls. When a heating cycle is triggered, the water heater or boiler channels water through the network of pipes and then back into the water heater.
Unique Benefits of Radiant Heat
Water and metal are much better conductors of heat than air. A radiant heater offers two unique benefits. One, the water heats up quickly and efficiently and flows easily through the pipes through your home. But even once the water moves back into the tank for storage, the metal pipes remain hot for longer and continue to heat your home.
With a forced air system, vents are often attached to the ceiling of your home, blowing heat down into the rooms. This can be problematic because heat naturally rises, so a majority of heat may get stuck at your ceiling. Radiant heat begins at the floor to heat your home from the bottom up, offering an elevated level of comfort.
Radiant heat can also be more energy efficient compared to forced air systems. Less energy gets wasted producing heat that is lost in ductwork or trapped along your ceilings. So in addition to elevated comfort, you can also save money with this type of heating system.
Installation Considerations
Installing a radiant heat system into an existing home can be a massive undertaking. These systems are usually only installed in brand new homes that are being built or as part of a home renovation project. Since the water pipes need to be installed under your floors, you have to have your rooms clear and understand that your flooring will be removed as part of the installation.
If you’re interested in radiant heat, it’s best to schedule an appointment with our team to learn exactly what is involved in the installation process and make a plan for how best to complete the installation. We can talk to you about the installation process, how it would work and what we need you to do to prepare for the appointment. This way you can decide if radiant heat is right for your home and family.
Your comfort is our business! Comfort Flow Heating serves all of Oregon, so contact our team today to schedule your appointment for an in-home radiant heat assessment.
