The Pros and Cons of Radiant Heating

There are two main types of heating systems in the world–forced-air heating and radiant heating. Contrary to some popular beliefs, they’re actually quite different from one another.

A forced-air heating system is something like a furnace or a heat pump, heating the air of your home which then allows everything else to stay warm. A radiant heating system in Tallahassee, FL is going to radiate heat through walls and objects using either electrical resistance or hot water.

Each heating system has its own pros and cons, and different homeowners enjoy them for different reasons. So, if you’re on the fence about your next heating system and you’ve never explored radiant heating, now is your chance! Keep reading to learn more about our radiant heating systems and why they might be perfect for your home.

The History of Boilers

In order to understand how we got here, we need to go back to the early days of civilization. Since ancient times, steam and hot water have always been great methods of heating a home. The ancient Romans used to heat water underneath a house and let the steam rise through the walls, completely insulating homes with warm temperatures during the winter.

Of course, things have changed since then, but the idea behind radiant heating is still there. It just works incredibly well!

Pros of Radiant Heating

Radiant heating has its own unique pros and cons which is what makes it so enticing for homeowners. If you’re interested in a new radiant heater, then check out some of the great reasons to invest in it.

• Energy efficiency. Radiant heating is efficient. This is due to the fact that (for water boilers), water is an efficient heat transfer medium. It holds heat well and transfers that heat much better than air does, leading to a more efficient use of fuel or energy.
• Radiating warmth. Some people just love the feeling of radiant heat. It’s similar to the heat that comes from the sun’s rays, since it flows through objects and even your entire body.
• Stability and reliability. Boilers and other radiant heating systems last a very long time. While a forced-air heating system will be lucky to last 10-15 years, boilers can last 20 years and sometimes even beyond that!

Cons of Radiant Heating

In fairness, we should talk about some of the negative aspects of radiant heating. If any of these are dealbreakers, then we’d recommend a forced-air heater like a heat pump or furnace.

• Leaks and other malfunctions. Boilers can leak water which is a big hassle to deal with. If you’re not a fan of hiring a specialist to patch leaks every once in a while, then you might want to steer clear of a boiler.
• Not a cooling method. Radiant heaters, no matter the type, cannot cool your home. This is in comparison to some forced-air heaters like heat pumps or ductless mini splits which are both heating and cooling systems.
• Requires infrastructure. If you already have air ducts in your home, or you’d like to limit the cost of installation, radiant heat might be a tough sell. It requires infrastructure, like pipes for a boiler or coils for an electric radiant heater.

With Parker Services Inc, comfort’s just a call away! Contact us today to learn more about our radiant heating systems.

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