Comparing
Radiant Heat and Traditional Forced Air Systems
What are
the Advantages of Radiant Heat?
A room with
radiant heat
will have a much more uniform
temperature from the ceiling to the floor than one
with a forced air heating system. Forced air systems
blow heat that quickly rises to the ceiling, and
occupants tend to turn up the thermostat to fill
the rooms with so much warm air that it eventually
"pushes" the heat down to where we can feel it. However,
with a radiant floor heating system, the heat
originates where we need it most, to warm us from
our feet to our heads. The warmth radiates from the
floor to other objects and warms the air. The heat
is not wasted by immediately gathering at the
ceiling. Instead, the warmth is enjoyed from the floor
up.
Heating a
basement floor is an ideal application for a radiant
heat system. If you've lived in a house
with forced air, you know that even as you turn
the heat up, the basement (especially the floors) tends
to remain chilly. Installing a radiant floor
warming system changes this, and will add comfort
and warmth to your lifestyle.
Below is a
general comparison of electric radiant heat systems and
forced air heating systems. (For more
information, read the article on
Radiant
Heat and Forced Air Heating Systems
.)
SYSTEM
COMPARISON CHART
Radiant Heat vs. Forced Air Heating
|
|
Efficiency
|
Electric Radiant Heat System
|
Forced Air and Gas Heating System
|
| Efficiency at 100% of
capacity |
100% |
60-90% |
| Efficiency at 50% of
capacity |
100% |
30-60% |
| Efficient - relative
thermal |
100% |
50-75% |
| 100% of energy is
delivered to the heating element |
YES |
NO |
| Proper sized capacity of
"off peak" conditions |
YES |
NO |
|
Maintenance
|
Electric Radiant Heat System
|
Forced Air and Gas Heating System
|
Annual Maintenance
Required - Clean or change filters; inspect for
carbon monoxide leaks
|
NO |
YES |
| Easy to repair |
YES |
NO |
| Controls - Simple and
reliable |
YES |
VARIES |
|
Cost Savings
|
Electric Radiant Heat System
|
Forced Air and Gas Heating System
|
| Expandable - Easily and
economically |
YES |
NO |
| Compatible with all floor
coverings |
YES |
YES |
| Floor space required for
installation (mechanical room) |
NO |
YES |
| Decorating limitations
for furnishings, wall coverings, etc. (no
registers, grills, radiators) |
NO |
YES |
| Simple installation and
operation |
YES |
NO |
| Structural building cost
increases required to accommodate |
NO |
NO |
| Venting required to
outside and combustion air required |
NO |
YES |
| Concrete required -
regular or lightweight |
NO |
NO |
|
Remodeling
|
Electric Radiant Heat System
|
Forced Air and Gas Heating System
|
| Retrofit-ability in
existing concrete or asphalt |
YES |
NO |
| Retrofit into joist space
effectively |
YES |
NO |
| Simple modification for
remodeling |
YES |
NO |
| Easy and effective for
large or small areas |
YES |
NO |
| Minimal floor height
increase (1/8-inch or less) |
YES |
YES |
|
Health and Safety
|
Electric Radiant Heat System
|
Forced Air and Gas Heating System
|
| Health & Medical
(doesn't distribute dust, pollen, allergens
through the air) |
YES |
NO |
| Environmentally-friendly
(greenhouse, glycol, etc.) |
YES |
NO |
| Safety (no high-voltage,
no hot surfaces, no combustible gases) |
YES |
NO |
|
