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Is Whole House Radiant Floor Heating Effective?

Radiant Floor Heating

There’s a good reason why radiant floor heating is a popular choice in new construction and home renovation in Glenwood Springs, Aspen, and Vail, CO. In the opinion of Climate Control Company, it is the most luxurious form of home heating, as well as being more efficient.

COST VS BENEFIT

I don’t have to tell you that radiant floor heating is going to have a higher upfront cost than a typical forced air heating system. We’re going to use this article to help you decide if it’s worth the extra cost. Here is a closer look at the advantages you can expect:

  • Energy Efficiency
    • Simply put, it’s more efficient to heat water than it is to heat air. Once the water in a radiant heating system is warmed to a certain temperature by the boiler, it will maintain that heat much longer than the hot air produced by a furnace.
    • There is also added efficiency because there is no ductwork. Forced air systems are always going to lose some efficiency as the conditioned air moves through the ducts.
    • The bottom line is that radiant floor heating saves about 15% on heating bills when compared to other systems.
  • Comfort & Convenience
    • Since the entire floor is heated by the water circulating underneath, the warmth radiates up evenly. In other words, hot and cold spots will almost never be a problem in your Glenwood Springs, Aspen, or Vail, CO home.
    • Radiant floor heating is virtually silent. There are no noisy fans and motors or even the sound of air blowing through the vents.
    • Indoor air quality will be improved because there’s no blowing air to carry dust and allergens throughout the home.
  • Design Freedom
    • One hundred percent of the home’s floor space is usable. There are no heat registers in the floors or walls, so you can put furniture wherever you wish with no concern about affecting the performance of your heating system.

SO WHAT’S THE BAD NEWS?

At the risk of sounding like a salesperson, there aren’t many negatives associated with radiant floor heating, at least in our opinion. 

  • Upfront Investment
    • Yes, the initial cost is going to be higher. This is no place for an official estimate, but a rule of thumb is to expect radiant to be about twice as expensive upfront compared to a forced air furnace.
    • Much of the expense will be offset by increased efficiency and lower maintenance costs over the life of the system.
    • It takes longer to heat water than it does to heat air. If you allow the house to get cold while you’re away from home, it will take longer to warm it up. It’s not really a problem, you just have to plan ahead a bit more.

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME LUXURY?

If you’re ready for the luxury of radiant floor heating as part of your new or renovated house in Glenwood Springs, Aspen, or Vail, CO, call Climate Control Company now for a no-obligation estimate. Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to learn more about why our motto is, “Comfort Driven, Colorado Style Since 1956.”