With so many heating options on the market, finding the right fit for your home and lifestyle can be confusing. For example, forced-air and radiant floor heating are two very different heating systems.
Description
Forced air: This type of heating system uses a network of ducts throughout the home to supply heat from the main furnace, with a blower fan or air handler moving the air. These ducts can be installed within the walls, crawl spaces, and ceilings. Temperature is typically controlled by a wall-mounted thermostat.
Radiant floor heating: This type of heating is installed under the flooring in the form of heating panels, allowing each room to be controlled independently from wall mounted thermostats. When in use, the panels heat up, warming the floor and corresponding air.
Distribution
Forced air: In a heating system, warm air is pushed through the ducts and vents to heat various rooms in the house, which can cause cold and hot spots as well as heat loss. Depending on the location of the temperature sensors, these heating systems can also run when not needed, overheating areas and wasting energy. The rooms are heated quickly, but may cool just as fast.
Radiant heating: Heating elements, with the heat provided by heated water, electricity or air, are installed throughout the flooring, providing even heat distribution and reducing, if not eliminating, cold and hot spots. It may take a little longer for the rooms to heat to the desired temperature, but the rooms maintain a comfortable level once heated, reducing the need to continuously run the furnace.
Efficiency
Between forced air and radiant floor heating, radiant flooring is up to 30 percent more efficient than forced air. Less heat is lost through air transfer and heat loss in the ducts, and it takes less energy to achieve the optimal comfort level. It also provides a more even heating, removing cold and hot spots. Each room can be independently controlled, allowing for even more energy savings. Installation is typically costlier with radiant floor heating.
To learn more about the benefits of radiant floor heating, or to request a free installation estimate in Lorain and the surrounding areas, please contact our expert staff at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about radiant floor heating and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area