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CHESAPEAKE HOME MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2005 contractor'scorner
NEW
HEATING OPTIONS FOR THE HOME
B Y
M A T T K U R R L E No
one would dispute that home operating systems like electrical systems, plumbing,
heating, and air conditioning are essential for a functional, comfortable home.
And whether the project is a new home or an addition to an existing home, builders
and their clients must consider the various options available. Typically when
homeowners research these investments, though, they do not look beyond the most
popular and widely used systems. However, basing one's decision on preliminary
information can be inadequate, especially when it concerns home heating. Most
of us are familiar with common systems such as baseboard heat, radiators, and
forced hot air. These are generally fueled by electricity, natural gas, or oil.
But the advances in heating technology over the past ten years have made home
heating more efficient and enhanced, ultimately lowering monthly heating costs
and providing better heating.
As a Project Manager
for C.E. Wheeler, a custom builder serving the Baltimore metro region, I have
seen and used many of today's newer systems and products. Every homeowner planning
an addition, renovation, or new home should look into these newer systems, so
they can make an educated decision |  PHOTO
COURTESY OF WATTS RADIANT
Electric radiant heat tubing
installed
to the subfloor during construction.
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about
their home heating options.
One of the most popular
advances in home heating borrows technology from the hot water and steam heating
systems still common in older homes throughout the region. But instead of delivering
heat throughout the home by way of pipes and radiators, the
hydronic radiant heating of today delivers heat through a series of polyethylene
pipes that are built into the floor. These pipes can be set in concrete, on top
of the subfloor using a track system, or under the |
| floor.
Hot water is pumped through these tubes, heating the floor. Radiant heating uses
the same principles as old-fashioned radiator systems. Since radiators are located
on the walls of a room, though, they can cause hot and cold spots; by placing
the tubes in the floor, the area is heated more evenly, creating a more comfortable
environment. The cost of installing hydronic radiant heat varies depending on
the size of the applicationÐoverall, upfront costs are more than a traditional
heating system, but its benefits can quickly outweigh the expense.
Of
course, in order for hydronic radiant heating to work, there must be a source
of hot water. In many older homes, hydronic systems used an oilfired boiler as
their hot water source. Over time, though, the drawbacks of radiator and boiler
systems became evident, and many were replaced by modern heat pumps and gas furnace
systems. As the hydronic radiant method again becomes popular, the need to produce
hot water for heating has increased. This need has brought about several new oil,
gas, and propane boilers that can more efficiently produce unlimited amounts of
hot water for radiant systems and domestic hot water. | |
Radiant
heat can be installed outdoors beneath walks and driveways to melt snow and ice.
PHOTO COURTESY
OF WATTS RADIANT
contractor'scorner | | |
 |  |  | Typical
radiant heat floor systems during construction.
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|  | | RIGHT:
PHOTO COURTESY OF WATTS RADIANT ABOVE: PHOTO COURTESY OF C.E. WHEELER,
INC. | |
|  | 
ABOVE:
Geothermal heat systems can be configured in a variety of ways in order to maximize
potential of extracting heat from the shallow Earth.
PHOTOS
COURTESY OF GROUND LOOP HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. | Many
new boilers use European technology, where radiant heat has been a heating staple
for years. These new boilers produce hot water to a certain temperature based
upon the needs of the system. A sensor is located on the outside of the home to
detect the air temperature; the boiler then produces the hot water based upon
this outside temperature. Without this technology, a boiler would produce the
maximum temperature water at all times, thus wasting fuel and causing more wear
and tear on the equipment. The newer systems can produce lower temperature water
when the air outside is warmer, or vice versa, making them much more efficient
and ultimately making the home more comfortable.
Another
new heating method that has become common in the last few years is the geothermal
system. The benefits of a geothermal system lie in its efficiency and the fact
that it is used for both heating and cooling the home. Unlike conventional heating
systems, geothermal heating uses the ground as a source of energy. By connecting
a home heating system to underground pipes installed in horizontal or vertical
wells, geothermal systems use a minimal amount of electricity to extract heat
from the relative constant temperature of the shallow Earth. In the summer, the
process is reversed–the system deposits heat from |
| the
home back into the ground. This technology can be used both to heat water for
hydronic systems and home water needs as well as providing heating and cooling
for forced air systems.
The true
benefits of a geothermal system can be seen in its longevity and sustained cost.
The system itself lasts longer, and by using the ground to produce heat, there
is a much lower expense to heating and cooling. Although initially more expensive
than a traditional system, energy savings easily justify the higher installation
costs. A typical geothermal system can pay for itself in five to seven years.
With the efficiency and quality
of heat delivered by these new heating technologies, I always recommend radiant
flooring and geothermal heat to my clients. These new systems offer a more comfortable
home and keep monthly costs to a minimumÐboth important to those building new
homes and additions.
Do your homework,
and consider all of the options available in today's market. Whether you decide
on a hydronic radiant heating system using gas or oil or geothermal technology
and all its benefits, you can rest assured that your home is equipped to provide
2Ist centurycomfort. |
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