![]() This makes it more efficient (COPs are often over 5), but requires more heat transfer surface area. A water-to-water geothermal heat pump operates at much lower temperatures (between 90 to 120° F). Most hydronic systems are sized for the very high water temperatures of a fossil fuel boiler (typically between 140 and 180° F), meaning they have a relatively small amount of surface area in the piping or radiators. This can be done, but only if the existing piping or radiator system is designed for it. Many people ask us if they can replace their fossil fuel-fired boiler with a water-to-water geothermal heat pump. The only drawback to these systems is their higher cost of installation. Because of this lower heat loss, and because a water-to-water geothermal heat pump has lower operating temperatures, these systems have the highest efficiencies and energy savings of any active heating system. ![]() This also reduces the heat loss through the ceiling and upper walls. The temperature of the air in the home will be warmer at the floor, and cooler as you rise toward the ceiling, which is unmatched for heating comfort. Water-to-water geothermal heat pumps work great with correctly designed hydronic radiant floor systems. It may cost a little more initially, but in the long run the savings is exponential.Using Hydronic Radiant Floor Heating with a Water-to-Water Geothermal Heat Pump Not only does it save energy, but is also quiet, and allergy friendly. If you’re remodeling your home, bathrooms are the perfect place to start with radiant flooring, not only because they are small requiring less materials, but also because radiant heating pairs well with tile, linoleum or laminate.Īll in all, radiant heating can be the perfect solution to the cold winter ahead. New Floors Required: Radiant heating goes under the floor, so that means that the best time to install is either during a remodel or new construction.Not a DIY: A good handyman could install an electrical radiant system, but it is a time-intensive project, and is worth it to hire a pro to save you the headache.There are no filters to replace and as long as your system runs smoothly, you’ll eliminate a large amount of the elements that can cause allergies. Radiant heated flooring is a closed system, meaning it will not affect the air you breathe. ![]() Even with a filter that you have to replace every three months, the air you breathe in your home can end up causing a lot of health issues. Good for Allergies: Central Heating systems force a lot of air through dusty ducts and with that air comes a lot of mold spores, pollen and bacteria.With radiant floors, you don’t have the sound of air blowing through ducts, or the noise of it rattling the vents. Quiet: Radiant flooring is quiet, especially if you compare it to the noise level of a typical central heating system.Not to mention radiant heated floors add value to your home and typically last much longer than traditional HVAC units. Over 27% of energy is lost when air is pushed through the maze of ducts. Heat rises, so doesn’t it make sense to start at the floor with your heating system? Central Heating systems are notorious for their inefficiency. Cost Effective: Unlike traditional central air systems that do bursts of hot air and then shut off when it reaches the designated temperature, radiant floors heat up slowly from the ground up.Here are the pros and cons of choosing radiant heating. This type of RFH uses heat-conducting mats that contain copper and nichrome resistance wires to heat your floors and is great in bathrooms, but typically too expensive to install throughout the house. The second is an electrical radiant heating system. The hydronic heating system works well in any room of the home, especially the bathroom. Although the initial cost is more than a furnace, you will save money in the long run with lower energy prices. The first is a hydronic system that pushes hot water through a series of polyethylene tubing to heat the floors. A system that has been used since the Roman Empire, used all over Europe and gaining popularity in the United States, heated floors are the ideal way to heat your home. But there is an alternative: radiant heated floors. Winter in Omaha, NE will soon be here and that means cold hard floors, your furnace running all day, and your energy bill going up.
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