Energy Efficiency

Super energy efficient radiant has many efficiency advantages Compared to other systems. Convection creates a layer of very hot air at ceiling which is trying to escape, also in some cases positive pressure is formed, literally forcing heated air outside.  With Radiant floor heating, often lower thermostat settings are needed for optimum comfort. Radiant can have multiple zones and thermostats. With super efficient heating appliances available, hydronic heating is adaptable to any energy source.

Cost, consider both initial cost and operating cost

Just considering Initial cost compared to a typical forced air system without taking into account the additional benefits (including comfort, resale, efficiency with less noise, drafts, dust, vents, ducts etc.)

Initially, radiant heating does typically costs more than forced air. Radiant is materials and labour intensive, for example a condensing boiler could cost several times as much as a condensing furnace. A typical home could use 1/2 mile or more of Radiant tubing.

With many variables and components to choose from, selecting your system can be challenging.  We can help you select the system and options unique to your project to achieve the most value in installation and operating costs.

A Basic Hydronic Radiant System will be energy efficient and provide far more comfort and satisfaction than any forced air system, all at a reasonable cost. hydronic Radiant is very versatile and many options can be selected that will all run off the same boiler. For example:

• multiple  thermostats to automatically regulate heat in all rooms individually.
• Indirect domestic Hot water for an endless supply of hot water with high quality Stainless Steel Tanks
• Radiators in modern or Classic Styling
• Towel warmers for the ultimate functional bathroom accessory
• Snowmelt for your driveway and sidewalk
• Outdoor reset
• Natural Gas boilers with 95% efficiency ratings
• Air to water or ground source heat pumps are ideal for radiant

A smaller home

Generally requires a similar mechanical room to a larger house so typically a smaller home will cost more per sq. ft.   (But smaller homes often do not need expensive controls for optimal comfort and efficiency, which can result in significant savings)

A larger custom home

Will benefit from higher end controls and Zoning options

Through research, testing and knowledge we offer the most affordable economic, simple system that works the best for your Home or business. We also offer more advanced controls and methods as customer options. We have researched the best ways to install electric and Natural gas systems that install quickly with less labour and materials to save you Money.

Operating Cost

As energy prices are subject to change and recently have been very volatile and on the rise, energy efficiency is very important.  Some Radiant equipment suppliers state that it is possible to save up to 40% in energy cost with radiant in floor heat. These energy savings can offset the initial capital costs, particularly since currently interest rates are extremely low.

• Watts Radiant
• Rehau

 Energy Sources

One of the great benefits of hydronic in floor heat is that any energy source can be used, with the ability to change to a different energy source relatively easily. - Or another heat source can be added with most of the existing system remaining intact. All systems can have optional indirect domestic hot water heating.

Natural gas /propane
High efficiency (modulating, condensing often called mod/con) these units are a relatively new design. Some units available with modulating and condensing features with rated efficiencies better than 95%
Note: to reach these high efficiencies specific design and mechanical room layouts are required, certain conditions are required to actually attain condensation and the resulting energy savings.  If your system is incorrectly designed or installed the efficiencies may at times drop to around 85%.
Conventional boilers are available to around 85% efficiency ratings and are considerably cheaper than condensing units.
Note:  specific design and mechanical room layouts are required to prevent Thermal shock and or condensation that could ruin a new boiler within a few years. Correctly installed conventional boilers are very reliable and can easily last 25 or more years.
There are high efficiency and conventional combination units available that can also heat domestic hot water. Although these units cost more the installation can be much simpler resulting in significant labour savings.

Electricity
electric boilers
Combo (with Domestic Hot Water combination) is expensive but greatly simplifies installations resulting in lower installation costs.
Note: A standard electric hot water tank only provides about 10,000 BTU which is only capable of heating a relatively small area - several would be required for a typical home. Most are not certified for this purpose.

Oil boilers are available

Heat Pump

Air to water heat pump. These units can save about 50% or more of heating and dhw costs.
Daikin Altherma, Offers a new to North America state of the art air to water Heat pump with optional DHW and solar assist. Draws heat from the air for the ultimate in energy efficiency. These systems should approach geothermal efficiencies in certain warmer climates of Canada at a much lower cost.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPIjuNFPeKM

Geothermal heat Pump. Drawing heating and cooling from the ground using ground loops in drilled vertical Holes or buried horizontal trenches. Also loops can be installed in ponds, lakes or ocean.  Geothermal can cut heating costs well above 50%. These installations should be considered the ultimate in energy efficiency.  High costs for drilling boreholes or laying ground loops generally requiring 1/2 acre or more of land can limit widespread use of this system.

Wood
Can be used as primary home heating and can used in combination with backup boiler that will automatically provide heat when required.

Solar
A typically installation primarily will be used to supplement Domestic Hot Water, providing about 50% of dhw energy( it will provide most or all dhw requirements in summer and supplement dhw energy  in winter)
Generally with a typical installation unless you are in an area with a lot of sun in the winter, solar can only supplement Home heating in spring and fall.

Efficiency.

I believe any method of in floor installation will give excellent comfort and will be equal in efficiency subject to insulation levels. I think the only difference is response time, which has no factor in efficiency.  For example If you  could imagine someone  developed a floor system with all copper tubes conducting through an all copper  floor,  the rate of transfer of energy would  be extraordinary, surpassing any existing system in the rate of transfer of energy... But the efficiency would be exactly the same!!! Put in 5000 Btu of energy in a typical floor installation and that is what you will get out, subject to the same insulation levels. Where else could the energy go???