A Description of Several Types of Radiant
Systems Including Our Preferred System.
There are many ways to take advantage of the benefits of radiant heating
and cooling. Some heating system concepts are at least 100 years old.
They are familiar and well accepted. Other systems are newer and more
innovative. We urge you to at least take a
look at these modern systems. The newer and more innovative systems
can offer significant advantages in terms of price, energy efficiency,
environmental sensitivity and simplicity. Some can be readily
converted to alternative energy sources such as solar, where the older
ones cannot.
The decision about which system to go with is a personal
one. You must consider budget, architecture, your comfort level with
innovation and the dictates of your local building codes. Our Company
offers several kinds of systems. The technicians at supplying Company are
ready to help with your decision. We want to help you get the best
possible result with your project.
It is important to understand that building
codes have changed in response to improved technology and in
response to our need to conserve energy.
Here are descriptions and diagrams of several popular systems
including our preferred system.
Click On The Diagrams For More Details And Information.
Closed System
Indirect System
Open Direct System
THE CLOSED HEATING SYSTEM
This system, dedicated exclusively for space heating, uses a boiler
or water heater to heat water (or an antifreeze solution) which is
circulated through the in floor tubing. This is a familiar and
conventional approach that is well accepted by building code officials.
THE INDIRECT HEATING SYSTEM
This system uses a high efficiency water heater for both space
heating and domestic hot water needs while keeping the two systems
separate by using a heat exchanger.
THE OPEN DIRECT HEATING SYSTEM
This system uses a high-efficiency hot water heater to provide hot
water for space heating and domestic hot water within a single system.
It is our preferred system for most residential applications. There are
significant advantages in terms of initial cost, fuel efficiency,
simplicity and environmental friendliness. These systems can be
converted to use solar energy at any time.
A COMBINED SYSTEM
Radiant heat from a high-efficiency boiler
A high-efficiency boiler is an excellent alternative heating appliance
in situations where codes dictate or where baseboard hot water heat is
also desired - either as backup or as primary heat for a portion of the
dwelling. If you already have boiler-fired baseboard hot water heat and
wish to retrofit your home for radiant, you'll likely be able to use your
existing boiler.
These systems are compatible with sophisticated controllers and the new
ultra-high efficiency boilers.
Solar Energy Assist
We support the use of solar energy whenever it is feasible and note
that solar efficiency has improved greatly in the past few years.
If wood or coal is considered, the same design and mechanicals can be
used to produce a system that is convenient to operate and also generates
fewer pollutants because of steady higher temperature operation.
A solar installation in conjunction with an Open Direct System,
provides supplemental solar for space heating and domestic hot water
needs.
