Radiant Heating
With so many innovative new ways to warm your home, you might not know which option to choose. One that has recently become an increasingly popular choice among Idaho homeowners is radiant heating. This system works well for indoor spaces and can also provide heating services for outdoor spaces, making it a versatile way to warm your entire home.
At Big Foot Heating & Cooling, we specialize in installing, maintaining, and repairing radiant heating systems, ensuring your home stays warm no matter how cold it gets outside. Whether you want to warm up a cold basement, address chilly floors in your bathroom, or prevent snow from accumulating on your porch or patio, this may be your new favorite heating option.
How Radiant Heating Works
Radiant heat operates by directly heating the surfaces of your home, including your floors and walls. There are two main systems: hydronic and electric.
- Hydronic Heating: This is the most common type of radiant heat and works by pumping hot water through tubes beneath your floor. The hot water radiates heat through the floor, warming the room from the ground up. This system is energy-efficient and ideal for heating large areas.
- Electric Heating: Electric systems use cables or mats installed beneath the floor or within walls. These systems are used in smaller areas like bathrooms or as supplementary heating. They’re easier to install than hydronic systems but may be more expensive to operate in larger spaces.
Both systems provide gentle, consistent heat that feels natural, unlike the sudden blasts of hot air you may experience with a traditional furnace. The warmth is evenly distributed, eliminating cold spots and ensuring that every corner of your home is comfortable. With radiant heat, you may not even realize the system is running because of its natural feel.
At Big Foot Heating & Cooling, our team understands how beneficial the addition of these floors can be to a variety of spaces across your home. Whether you want to avoid an accumulation of snow on your front porch or you’re tired of feeling cold tiles beneath your feet in the morning, radiant heat is a great way to keep your home comfortable throughout the year.
Benefits of Radiant Heat
Radiant heating offers many benefits, making it a popular choice for homeowners seeking efficiency and comfort. Unlike traditional forced-air systems, radiant heating warms surfaces, not air, making it up to 30% more energy-efficient and lowering energy bills. This system provides even heating, eliminating drafts and cold spots, so your living space feels consistently comfortable.
Since radiant heating doesn’t rely on blowing air, it also improves indoor air quality, reducing dust and allergens—ideal for respiratory sensitivities. Additionally, it operates silently, creating a peaceful home environment without the noise of air being pushed through ducts. With proper maintenance, these systems, especially hydronic ones, offer long-term durability and can last for decades, ensuring reliable, energy-efficient warmth.
Radiant Heating vs. Forced-Air Heating: Which Is Better?
When choosing a new heating system for your home, you must compare its heating ability to the heating capabilities of forced-air heating. There are a few distinct differences between the two that you must consider before making this investment:
- Comfort: Radiant heat is more comfortable because it doesn’t rely on blowing air. Instead, it heats surfaces, allowing the warmth to be absorbed by objects and people. Forced air may create drafts, making certain rooms feel cold running.
- Energy Efficiency: Radiant heating is often more energy efficient than forced air systems, especially in well-insulated homes. This system does not lose heat through ductwork, reducing monthly energy consumption and utility bills.
- Air Quality: Forced-air systems circulate air throughout the home, which can spread dust, allergens, and other particles. Radiant heat doesn’t use air circulation, making it a better option for households with allergy sufferers.
- Maintenance: These systems require less maintenance than forced-air systems. There are no filters to change or ductwork to clean, and the systems are less prone to breakdowns.
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Meeting All Your Heating Needs
When you live in St. Anthony, you know how important it is to maintain a warm and comfortable space all year. Without adequate heating in your home, you may spend countless nights shivering beneath layers of blankets. If you think radiant heating may be the right choice to keep your home comfortable, our Big Foot Heating & Cooling team is here to help. With our support, you can ensure your indoor and outdoor spaces are comfortable and perfectly warm when snow begins to fall.
If you think this might be the best heating option for your home and are ready to schedule installation, contact us today.
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