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| How do Radiant Heating Systems & Forced Air Heating Systems compare? |
Important considerations are: Type of building and materials used in the building, the occupants living requirements (number of zones/ thermostats, level of heat, heat loss etc.), location of property and availability of both energy sources and heating products. Mainly due to the much greater amount of labor required to install a radiant system the cost is about twice that of a forced air system. This cost is often recouped in the increased value of the home. Radiant systems modernize older homes and have become a much demanded heating system for high end new construction and custom homes. Part of the appeal of radiant is the longer life of a boiler, usually 30-50 years, as compared to 10-25 yrs for a forced air system. For many discerning home owners the most important feature is the clean air, quiet operation and low maintenance of the radiant system.
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| Why do some radiant systems cost more than others? |
The size of the system as well as the number of zones and thermostats, the BTU requirements and type of boiler greatly impact the overall cost of an individual system. These considerations can make it difficult to compare one radiant system directly to another. Smaller installations often result in a higher cost per square foot. This is usually because the larger boiler required for a bigger installation does not increase in proportion to the increase in square footage. For example, a home of 2000 sq feet may require a boiler that can supply 30,000 BTU of heat. This boiler may cost $4000.00. Another home of 4000 sq ft may require 50,000 BTU’s of heat and this boiler may cost $5000.00. Even with the increased material and labor costs for the larger home the per square foot cost will be considerably less.
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| Is Radiant cost effective to maintain? |
Radiant systems that have been properly designed and installed with high efficiency boilers can save 25 to 50% of the cost of forced air systems. Once again factors such as insulation (heat loss) and large glass panel windows and walls should be calculated into the equation when the system is designed.
The boilers we use should be periodically cleaned and checked. We would like see a boiler every couple of years.We have seen boilers, properly installed, that have gone for years without service and not suffered greatly from the neglect.
In general , boilers and water heaters used for hydronic systems that are connected to the house water supply require a backflow preventer called a reduced pressure principal device. This actually applies retroactively to old boilers. Their purpose is to protect the house water from contamination from the heating system. These require testing once a year.
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| How versatile is Radiant Heating? |
Radiant heat can be installed as panels in walls and ceilings. Some applications are even done outside such as walkways, driveways, around swimming pools and under patios. Often it is recommended to supply thermostatic zones to separate living areas in which desired temperatures are higher or lower than other areas, such as bedrooms and bathrooms. Most people prefer the bathroom warmer than the living room; and the bedroom cooler than the living room. Some imaginative gardeners have even installed radiant in flower and vegetable beds.
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| How long will a Radiant System last? |
Wirsbo tubing is warranteed for 25 yrs by the manufacturer. Under most conditions the tubing should last the life of the house.
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| What happens if the tubing leaks? |
Occasionally a construction accident, such as nail being driven into the tubing, causes the tubing to leak. If covered with concrete the damaged area must be exposed and the tubing will usually be repaired with a coupling.
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| What about earthquake stresses? |
The tubing used in Radiant is both tough and flexible but can be damaged if a sufficient shift in the concrete it is embedded in occurs. This has been very rare to date since good construction is built to prevent shifting.
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| Is there a safe guard to prevent tubing from clogging? |
The water going into the system should be clean. Filters can be installed to ensure that it is clean. Once in the system evaporation is very low, if at all and the already clean water is recycled in this closed loop. Hence clogging is not an issue.
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| How efficient is Radiant heating? |
Radiant heating is more efficient than any other method of heating. This is due mainly to the way it accomplishes heating. That is, heating objects (people, chairs etc); not air, which then rises making the ceiling nice and warm and leaving the occupants with the cooler air lower in the room. In addition the newer boilers are far more efficient in terms of energy usage than older boilers or furnaces. Often with Radiant heating the residents feel more comfortable with slightly lower temperatures.
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| Do you ever use anything other than boilers with Radiant Heating? |
While we have used special water heaters from time to time in the past we find boilers to be the most efficient and provide the most satisfactory service.
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| How do I get started? |
Consulting with an experienced professional is the most important step in planning and designing a radiant heat installation. The heating technicians at Seattle Radiant/Good Services Corporation will use their knowledge and skill to help you achieve your goals for comfortable living. Please call the office 206-322-3000 to set up an appointment
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SEATTLE RADIANT |
