Hot About Heating?

In a social setting not too long ago, someone discovered that I was a plumbing contractor. Immediately one person launched off in detail about a horrifically expensive radiant heating system they saw in a Park City home. He described how hot water was pumped through floors to create warm floors. He talked of numerous thermostats scattered throughout the home to provide customized heating zones. He told me that this system was also installed in the garage floors. With envy in his eyes, he told about pipes installed outside in driveways and sidewalks to melt snow and ice, so that no one ever had to use a snow shovel.

Together we fantasized sarcastically about life in such a high tech radiant heat dream home. Since neither of us had the luxury of turning on a switch to clear the driveway, we pondered the possibility of assigning one of the kids the arduous job of turning the snowmelt system on if it snowed. We joked about spoiled kids in a high tech home complaining, like we complained, about having to clear the driveway? In actuality, there are electronic sensors that could measure temperature and moisture so we could leave the kids out of the loop.

I felt an urge tell my new friend of other radiant heat applications. Did you know that this same heating system is used in the ground to keep grass green and healthy during colder months? Bronco Stadium in Denver has a radiant heated football field. I also mentioned how the towel bars can be connected to the heating system to provide warm towels. At this point in the conversation my friend confessed that radiant heating systems are so expensive that only the rich can afford them. Until now, we were on the same page.

I get irritated that so many people, even builders, believe that radiant heating systems are only for the rich. Hot water radiant heating systems are more practical and affordable than people realize. Apartment owners especially are making a huge mistake by not considering the benefits of radiant heat. Consider this:

1. Radiant Heat Uses Less Space: Space is valuable and scarce in small apartments and homes. Forced air heating systems are huge, bulky, and use up way too much space. They require ceilings to be framed down to hide cold air returns. The smaller the home or apartment, the more practical is radiant heat. With radiant heating systems, heat is transferred through small ½” or ¾” pipes and not big ducts. If a dwelling unit needs more head room and utility room space, consider radiant heat.

2. Less To Clean: By creating radiant heat floors and/or walls, we eliminate dirty heat registers and ducts that fill up with dirt and trash. We also eliminate having to replace dirty air filters. As a landlord, wouldn’t you like a few less things to care for?

3. More Comfort: Its easier to spread the heat around more evenly with a radiant system than with forced air systems. Blowing hot air into those most distant rooms is difficult. And with a forced air system you are only allowed one thermostat. With hot water we can easily transfer huge amounts of heat to those most distant corners of big cold houses and apartments. Then we can install additional thermostats so that cold areas get just the right amount of heat. For added comfort radiant heating systems don’t dry out the air, mix it with dust, and noisily blow it around the home. Tenants that have allergies, that want a pleasant temperature, and that need quiet, are very impressed with hot water radiant heating.

4. Affordable To Operate: Furnace fans draw more electricity than do the small pumps we use to pump water but the biggest savings will be in gas. Radiant heating warms furniture, floors, and walls. Furnaces heat the air which floats to the ceiling like a bunch of small helium balloons.  That hot air hovers on the ceiling, escapes to the attic and filters out through small crakes in doors and around windows. With radiant, the heat stays closer to the floor where you need it.  

 5. Affordable To Purchase: Every sales person and TV program is going to show you a very small high tech 95% efficient boiler that costs thousands of dollars. Proudly they will flaunt a complicated spider web of numerous zone valves, pumps, stainless steel flues, mixing valves, gauges, thermostats and electronic control boxes.  When  your jaw drops because of the price, they will introduce the less efficient bigger boiler for a very few thousand dollars. Rarely does anyone ever explain how you can use a $300 dollar water heater for a boiler and design a simple yet very functional radiant heating system on a very tight budget. Upgrade this simple system by using an appropriate tankless water heater for about $800. These simple systems can easily be maintained and repaired by almost any handy man.

I personally feel sad for anyone that pours a basement or garage floor without first installing radiant heat. I will confess that every top floor of a building should probably have a forced air heating and central air conditioning system. Few have considered the advantages of radiant heat walls or adding some kind of radiator to a room.

I told my friend that all of my apartments, garages, and my personal home use some form of radiant heating.  I have installed some very simple inexpensive heating systems for property owners. In fact, with a little coaching you do-it-yourselfers could easily install your own. These simple systems can later be updated when you have more money. In the end, my new acquaintance was much more impressed with the affordability and benefits of radiant heating systems than with the pricey high-tech boilers and “icemelt” systems used by the rich. Inexpensive and simple radiant heating systems are something we can all get excited about.        

This article was written by Rod Olsen, a Journeyman Plumbing Contractor and owner of “Faucet Fixers LLC” (a full-service plumbing company located in Salt Lake City). www.faucetfixers.com  Phone (801)533-8277

March 13, 2005