Radiant Heating Retrofit: Energy Savings and Comfort for Your Home

If you are in the market for a new home heating system, consider radiant heat. These systems come in different configurations such as under or in-floor, or the traditional radiator variety. The most energy efficient and cost effective systems are water based – or “hydronic” systems. Going from an existing forced air furnace to a different system may seem exorbitant, but if you are in the midst of a home renovation and have the opportunity to reconfigure your heating system, it may be worth the effort.

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There are many benefits to a radiant system.

• Comfort: Radiant heat warms objects and surfaces rather than the air within a space.
• Fresh Air: These systems separate ventilation from heating, allowing windows to be opened without drastically affecting the interior temperature of a room.
  
• Versatility: Radiator and some in-floor systems can provide both heating and cooling.
  
• Quiet: The systems are quiet compared to a furnace; slow moving water carries heat through pipes in lieu of air being pushed through vents. Usually the loudest component of a radiant system is the pump or boiler. Noise is also reduced through the elimination of ducting which typically carries sounds – such as conversations – from one room to another.
  
• Cleanliness: These systems help reduce dust generation which is a benefit for those with allergies.
  
• Zoning: On a more complex system, a house can be zoned to control heating within different areas to allow for lower temperatures in unoccupied areas of the house.
  
• Energy Savings: Systems can be integrated into green technologies such as solar hot water heating; geothermal; high efficiency condensing boiler or even district heating.
  
• Lifespan: According to CMHC, if properly maintained a system can last 30 – 40 years. Piping life varies depending on the material, but will likely exceed that of the system boiler and pumps.
  

As with any system, there are also several drawbacks:

• Response Time: Compared to forced air, a radiant system can be slow to respond to desired temperature changes. As a result, depending on the system, night set-back changes can be difficult to accommodate due to this slow response time.
• Complexity: Radiant systems are not a do-it-yourself type of installation. Professional mechanical contractors are required to make modifications and maintain the system.
  

The simplest system to integrate into a home retrofit is a radiator system. This system can run on a two or three pipe configuration, depending on the functions desired. Two-pipe configurations provide heating only, while three pipe systems provide both heating and cooling. Radiators can be integrated into a solar hot water system to supplement the heating of a gas-fired boiler. Depending on the geographical location, the payback period for such an installation can be incentive enough for the initial expenditure. Additionally, both federal and provincial governments offer financial incentives for integrating energy saving technologies which can help offset capital costs.

If aesthetics are a concern, new models of radiators look nothing like – and function better – than the large cast iron rads of years past. Manufacturers such as JAGA have a series of low-water-temperature radiators with thin profiles that can be integrated into millwork, mounted on walls or on the floor, blend in to the room, or stand out as a feature.

If a new heating system is on your horizon, a radiant system should be a consideration. For more information, feel free to contact KHA Design, your local mechanical contractor or CMHC.