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Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc. Blog

Dalton’s Guide to Radiant Heating

radiant-heating-tubes

Winter is really just right around the corner in Cedar Rapids and with it comes cooler temperatures and an increased emphasis on heating. We all need reliable heaters to get us through the cold months of winter, but for whatever reason, more traditional boilers and forced-air furnaces may not be right for you.

If you’re ready to replace an old heater or simply install a new one, you might consider a radiant heating system. The installation cost tends to be higher than more traditional heating systems, but there are substantial benefits that go along with it.

What is radiant heating? We’ve spelled out a few quick answers below.

How it Works

Radiant heat is heat conveyed through infrared radiation: the warmth you feel from a hot stove when you pass by it, for example, or the heat you feel in a south-facing room with the sun shining in. In the case of a radiant heating installation, the equation involves coils or warmers being installed beneath the floorboards of your house, or behind the drywall. When the heat is turned on, the coils warm up, passing heat directly into your feet and the furnishings through radiant energy.

Why Is That Beneficial?

In the first case, radiant heating is much more efficient than forced-air systems because it doesn’t need to heat the air. The warmth is passed directly into you or your furnishings, ensuring that you stay cozy and comfortable regardless of the circumstances. Forced air systems are also vulnerable to breezes and cold spots, which radiant heating systems completely do away with.

Among other things, that helps prevent the spread of germs and other dangers through the air, improving the overall indoor air quality in your home. In addition, because the heat is distributed more efficiently, you end up paying less than you normally would in monthly heating bills, and because radiant heating systems feature room-by-room controls in many cases, you need only warm those parts of the house that you’re using. 

Installing Radiant Heating

Radiant heating installation is best done during new construction or even home remodeling since the tubing for these systems is installed beneath your flooring and/or behind drywall as we mentioned above. That said, existing homes can absolutely be retrofitted with a radiant heating system and radiators to distribute that heat. So whether you’re moving into a newly built home or are in an older one, be sure to contact us to learn more about these systems and see if one will work for your home. 

At Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc., your comfort is our promise! To set up an appointment in the Cedar Rapids area, give us a call at the number above, email customerservice@daltonphc.com or schedule an appointment online for radiant heating in Cedar Rapids, CA.

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