Central heating from a furnace has been the predominant mode of heating homes throughout most of the country for decades. The equipment has gotten more efficient through the years, so that even in an area with long winters such as ours, it’s possible to keep winter energy expenses somewhat in check.
But if it’s getting close to time to replace your HVAC system, and you’re wondering if you should look into another mode of heating, you might want to consider radiant heat vs furnace.
Radiant Heat
Radiant heating systems have become more popular in recent years as homeowners look for more comfortable, more efficient ways to heat. Radiant heat can be produced by hot water, air or electricity. The heat moves into the room in the form of infrared radiation that makes contact with people and objects. The heating system may be be under the floor or in baseboard heating.
Radiant heating eliminates the loss of rising heat through the ceiling. It’s also a clean, quiet, even kind of heat that doesn’t need ducts.
Concerns about radiant heating include that it’s hard to access the systems beneath the floor (although they require little maintenance) and installation and cost of equipment may seem high compared to a forced air system. However, lower energy bills may help offset these costs.
Forced Air
Forced air heating is not quiet, although in recent years, equipment has been improved. Many persons could also do without that big burst of hot, dry air that is the hallmark of a forced air system, but that too has been toned down with modulating fans and other new, energy-efficient equipment.
Forced air is also not terribly efficient, having to travel through ducts, where the air often leaks out into unconditioned spaces.
Some pluses for central heating via a furnace are: the technology been around a long time, so is reliable and furnaces generally last a long time; it’s generally easy to work on; and you can purchase an efficient and reliable system for a moderate cost.
Want to know about radiant vs furnace? Contact Ace Hardware Home Services of Dayton.
