Everything You Should Know About Heat Pumps
What Is Radiant Heating?
Jessica Jimenez
The search for an ideal solution to heating has been on for a while. Nowadays, the most common solutions are those that heat air before the air is transferred to different parts of the house. However, there are different issues posed by this solution.
The movement of air spreads airborne particles and this can spread dust and even pathogens throughout your space. Additionally, these systems are among the highest consumers of energy in the average American house. However, radiant heating is becoming an increasingly popular alternative and with good reason.
What Is Radiant Heating?
Radiant heat is the heat that's transferred through infrared radiation. This is the same way that the heat from the sun reaches us. This method of heat transfer is quite different from systems that transfer heat through the air which use conventional heat transfer system.
The use of radiant heating in homes goes backs thousands of years, ever since people started using fireplaces. Most modern houses cannot make use of fireplaces, but there are many other ways that radiant heating can still be used in many houses.
Radiant Heating Options
Radiant heating options are usually classified based on what produces the radiant heat within the house. There are underfloor heating systems which can be hydronic (water-based) or electric. There are also similar systems for ceiling panels and walls.
In hydronic systems, water is heated in a boiler and passed through pipes running under the floor or behind the walls. A traditional radiator also uses this type of system. Electric systems have heating elements that produce the heat directly.
Advantages of Radiant Heating
Radiant heating has several advantages in addition to not having to move air around. For starters, it's possible to achieve the same level of comfort using radiant heaters while maintaining a lower air temperature in the building. This means that under the right circumstances, the amount of energy used by these systems will be lower.
Another advantage of these systems is that there are no ducts to clean. Many experts argue that these systems are, overall, much easier to maintain compared to standard conventional systems.
Radiant heating can also be used outdoors in the patio and other such spaces where conventional heating isn't an option.
Disadvantages of Radiant Heating
The most commonly cited disadvantage of radiant heating systems is that they can be costlier to install compared to conventional systems. However, it's a good idea to get a quote from a heating contractor like Biggerstaff Plumbing Heating & Air first before you decide on which you want to utilize.
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Hello. My name is Josiah. I am a 44-year-old married dad of three. I work in the automotive industry and love what I do. Recently, my heating and cooling unit stopped working. I did a lot of research on what type of heating element I should install in my home. I wanted something energy efficient, yet reliable and lasting. After a lot of research, I settled on a heat pump. A heat pump is a great heating and cooling element that many people don't yet know about. I created this blog to help educate other people on heat pumps and answer questions related to it. If you need a new heating or cooling device for your home, I hope my website helps explain to you what a heat pump is and how it can be beneficial.