Understanding Hot Water Heating
Posted on: 9 July 2019
Hot water heating systems can be an effective and efficient way to keep your home warm this winter. There are a couple of different types of hot water heating systems, as well as many benefits for each of these systems. The following guide can help you better understand these systems so you can decide if they are the right choice for your home's heating needs.
Options in hot water heating
The two common types of hot water heating are radiant floor heat and radiators. Radiant floor heating requires the installation of piping under the floor. When hot water courses through these pipes, heat radiates outward. You won't have any cold spots or uneven heating issues with radiant floors as long as the piping coverage is thorough. Radiators work using similar technology, except they are installed above the floor. A common method is with baseboard heaters, which are narrow radiators installed along the baseboards with the water pipes hidden inside. There are also larger coil-styled radiators that use hot water as the heating method.
The benefits of hot water heating
As mentioned above, hot water heating methods provide even, consistent heat. Your home won't dip into colder temperatures until the thermostat triggers the furnace to pop on; instead the temperature remains the same until it you decide to adjust it. Further, you won't have warm, drying air blowing into your home. No more need to run a humidifier to try and add some much-needed moisture into your winter home. This also improves air quality, since hot water heating doesn't blow up dust or spread mold spores. Unlike forced air, hot water heating is also silent. Finally, this method of heating can also be highly energy efficient compared to traditional forced air heating that requires energy to both heat the hair as well as to run the blower.
Issues to be aware of
The only real concern with hot water heating is the installation cost. If your home was previously on forced air, you will need to have the boiler or a dedicated water heater installed and piping or radiators installed. This cost can be higher than having a new forced air system installed, but in the long run it may actually save you money in energy costs.
Contact a heating contractor to discuss your heating options or visit a website such as https://www.erickson-plumbingqc.com/. They can help you decide whether a hot water heating system is the best choice for your home.
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