Comfort Starting at the Ground Floor

As Winter weather approaches, our thoughts turn to cozying up on the couch with a cup of tea and staying indoors as much as possible. But how warm we stay is directly connected to the way we heat our home. Forced-air heaters have remained a familiar fixture in North American homes, but hydronic heating systems are now becoming more and more popular and taking heating to a whole new level of comfort and efficiency. 

Hydronic (or radiant) heating differs from traditional furnaces by heating water, instead of air, and pumping it through insulated in-floor piping or radiators. The advantages of hydronic over forced-air heating include more comfortable heat, lower energy bills, and less potential harm to your health and the environment. 

Hydronic heat, which is the most common form of modern heating worldwide, is also more economical because water holds heat longer than air. Therefore less energy (both gas and electrical) is required, saving homeowners up to 60 to 70 percent per month on their PG&E bill. Hydronic systems also take up less space in the house and utilize the same condensing boiler that provides all other household hot water needs. Hydronic heat is considerably quieter than forced-air furnaces and allows for varying comfort levels throughout the home.

Hydronic heating is the most comfortable form of heating for the body. Living things feel more comfortable when their feet and body are warm and their head is cool. With forced-air furnaces, the hot air rises so your head gets hot and stuffy, and your feet stay cold. The opposite is true of hydronic heat, which flows up from the floor so your feet and body stay warm while your head remains cool. This mimics the way we sleep, with our head out of the covers, and our bodies covered and warm.

Additionally hydronic heating provides better air quality. Because hydronic heaters don’t take in air like a furnace, they don’t collect household dirt, dust, pollen, and pet dander and blow it back out through vents. Eliminating air ducts and vents also helps to prevent allergies and dried-out sinuses. When it comes to preserving the environment, hydronic heating is a good choice. Forty percent of a home’s carbon footprint comes from heating the house and hot water. Installing a system that runs for less time can reduce that number by 80 percent and the boiler only runs for about an hour each day. 

There’s nothing like being warm and cozy indoors when the weather gets cold. Curling up with a good book in the warmth of hydronic heat will raise your quality of life.

For more ideas and resources visit http://www.todayshomebayarea.com.