Radiant Heat vs. Furnace Basics

According to the Department of Energy, the largest energy expense in the average American home is space heating. When winter hits Northeast Ohio, you’ll want to have a heating system that enhances your comfort without breaking the bank. Let’s compare two common heating options: radiant heat vs furnace.

How They Work

A furnace draws air out of your home through the return ducts and heats it at the burner. It then distributes the heated air throughout your home through the supply ducts. A radiant heat system uses electrical resistance wires or plastic tubes carrying hot water, which are installed below wood subflooring or embedded in a concrete slab, to heat your home.

Efficiency

In houses with furnaces, overheated air congregates near the ceiling and doesn’t contribute much to warming the lower levels of the room. As a result, energy is wasted. What’s more, openings in ductwork also lead to energy loss.

The heat generated by radiant systems warms your rooms from the bottom up. Due to the absence of long pathways for it to travel, energy loss is minimized. The heat remains nearer to floor level rather than accumulating at the ceiling, further reducing the energy wasted. Some studies suggest that radiant heat can be up to 30 percent more energy-efficient than forced air systems.

Upfront Costs

The standardization of blowers, furnaces, and duct fabrication and installation methods have helped significantly reduce furnace installation costs. The upfront installation costs of radiant heat systems can be considerably high, particularly if it’s installed in an existing house as a retrofit. What’s more, because radiant heat doesn’t use ductwork, you’ll need to install a dedicated duct system for cooling in the summer.

Wait Time for Warmth

Radiant heat has a longer time lag between starting the system and reaching the desired warmth level than a furnace. Homeowners who often need immediate warmth to heat a cold home may find this wait time uncomfortable.

Air Quality

The heat that a radiant system produces is silent and draftless. It doesn’t stir up and circulate allergens as furnaces tend to do.

Both of these heating systems have advantages as well as disadvantages that you shouldn’t ignore before making your final decision. For more help with analyzing radiant heat vs furnace, contact Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning, proudly serving the heating needs of the Lorain area.