A Case for Using Water Heaters for Radiant Heating

A Case for Using Water Heaters for Radiant Heating

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A Case for Using Water Heaters for Radiant Heating

Climate Control Company is a big believer in radiant floor heating for homes in Glenwood Springs, Aspen, or Vail, CO. Don’t get me wrong. I know that forced air heating does a fine job of keeping millions of homes comfortable, but given the option there are many reasons to choose radiant heating.

Refresher course

Just to make sure everyone is on the same page; radiant heating means warm or hot water is circulated throughout the home. The most common form these days is a network of plastic tubing installed under the floor. The warmth from the water then radiates into each room in the home.

What are the advantages?

Here are some of the reasons you might want to choose radiant over forced air:

  • No noisy fans & blowers
  • No air blowing through the house carrying dust & dirt
  • No expensive ductwork to install & maintain
  • Extremely even heating
  • Easily zoned for custom temperature control in different rooms & areas

Radiant heating will generally be more efficient than forced air because there’s no heat loss because of leaky or poorly insulated ductwork.

Water heaters vs boilers

Radiant heating systems have traditionally used boilers, usually burning natural gas or propane to heat the water. In some cases, these boilers can also be configured to supply domestic hot water for the home. The opposite is also true. A traditional water heater can be used to heat the home as well. Climate Control generally believes high-efficiency boilers are a better choice than a water heater. That being said, I know there are some situations where using a water heater to provide radiant heating can be the right choice.

Climate Control can help you decide

The many benefits of radiant heating in your Glenwood Springs, Aspen, or Vail, CO home do come with a price tag. It will cost more upfront than a typical forced air system. If you would like to learn more about which system is best for you, whether to use a water heater or a boiler, then call Climate Control Company. Great information like this is always available on our social media accounts, so be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.