Radiant Heating Summerlin

Compared with standard forced-air systems, which are often less efficient and costlier to run, the radiant heating systems made by Warmboard are generally more energy-efficient and less expensive to operate over time. They offer even heat distribution, can be controlled room by room, and, while installation (especially in a retrofitted existing home) can be pricier than the alternatives, these systems provide savings on energy bills that can make up for the difference. In a place like Summerlin, which has a big range of seasonal temperatures, there's a good chance that running affordable warm water through copper plumbing in the walls can beat whatever price you're paying Dominion or NV Energy for natural gas or electricity.

In Summerlin, the typical expense for putting in radiant floor heating runs from $10 to $20 for every square foot. This cost can fluctuate due to several factors, including what kind of system you're putting in (hydronic or electric, for example), the dimensions of the space you're planning to heat, and whether or not you're dealing with some kind of installation complication. For a standard room, the total cost can be anywhere from $1,000 to over $5,000.

Radiant floor heating systems generally have a lifespan of 20 to 35 years. Yet, they can last longer or even forever with proper maintenance and care, which moves us to the real meat of the matter. What, then, are the maintenance and care procedures that can give anyone an almost guaranteed assurance of a long life for a radiant system?

Radiant heating has a downside, and that is the expense it incurs to install. When you set up a radiant heat system, you essentially lay out a network of either tubes that carry hot water or electrical heating cables under the flooring and sometimes in the walls. Retrofitting to this kind of system, or making necessary repairs when things go wrong, can be difficult, especially if the heat source is located in a concrete slab or other area that is hard to access. When you're talking Summerlin, where the air conditioning typically has a lot more to do with a comfortable living space than the heating in the winter, a radiant heat system coupled with its indoor design needs—either a network of tubes or a series of electric mats—in an otherwise cool, comfortable space, could lead to your next cooling solution being way more labor intensive and way more costly.

Although radiant energy systems can be very efficient, they have some drawbacks. The first is that they can be expensive to initially set up. Once you get past the equipment and labor needed to install a radiant heating system, the materials used in the system can also raise costs. The heating elements themselves can be installed in a variety of ways, and the methods can be quite different from one another in terms of appearance and how they interface with the architecture of a building. A second disadvantage is that the systems are far less responsive to temperature changes than forced-air systems, making them less adaptable to sudden changes in weather. A third is that if the system is improperly installed, or if the space isn't adequately insulated, it can become an energy hog.

Compared to conventional heating systems, radiant heating often consumes less electricity because it warms surfaces and objects instead of the air in a room. This allows for improved heat distribution and reduced energy use. But several factors complicate the picture. The type and configuration of the radiant heating system, the manner in which it is operated, and the building itself—all affect how much electricity (and how much comfort) the system really is using. Electric-based systems, for instance, may actually consume more electricity than their counterparts using heated water; but all in all, systems using substantial amounts of electricity tend to be more efficient and effective than most electric space heaters.

In Summerlin, selecting between forced air and radiant heat comes down to a few key factors—like personal taste, furnace design, and heating need. We talk with a fair number of homeowners who have some experience in the matter and can relay to us the virtues and vices of each heating type. Although common, forced air isn’t the only option for heating a desert home. Summer density—both in built and in heat—calls for heating systems that can moderate space (and in some cases time) for the user. Concerning space, forced air, despite its topsy-turvy reputation, can be remedial. It can también distrovert; no vent with any interior wind need alight in a room for its occupants to feel the presence of a house that, in the winter, warms with what we prefer to call heat.

Usually, radiant heating is quite safe and poses a low risk of starting fires when it is properly installed and used. The heating system works by sending out infrared waves that directly heat objects and surfaces, rather than the air, which in turn creates a cozy environment—almost like being near a campfire, but without the direct flame. However, any heating system has the potential to pose a fire risk if it isn't installed or maintained properly, or if there's a nearby misuse of materials. Following the heater's manufacturer guidelines, having a professional perform the installation, and adhering to a maintenance schedule can help ensure that radiant heating remains a safe method of keeping a space warm.

An entire house can be heated by radiant floor heating. This system, which can be powered either by electric cables or by warm water tubes located beneath the floor, provides even, consistent, and efficient heating throughout the space. It's effective because it heats from the ground up and because it has nearly 100 percent effectiveness in heating the entire house. However, the system must be designed properly for the house and the conditions it's in; if it's not, then it simply won't work. Even when properly designed, radiant floor heating requires a few things to be efficient and effective: good insulation, not too much variation in the height of different floors, and a set of either electric cables or water tubes that will reach every corner of the house.

Radiant heat works most effectively with flooring that has high thermal conductivity, such as tile or stone. These materials are nearly ideal because they transfer heat so well, and they serve as a sort of "heat sink," actually holding the warmth so that it radiates back into the living space. Most of the time, however, carpets are poor choices. They tend to insulate rather than conduct, so a carpet would act like a blanket. There are ways to make it "workable," by using thinner padding, doubling up on the underlayment, and ACA recommends a low-pile, Berber carpet. Still, you could handle a modest amount of radiant flooring with carpets on top.