Radiant Heat Heats Up Efficiency as Energy Costs Soar

Learn how the design of a system limits its performance and efficiency

With energy bills spiraling like a runaway hot air balloon, homeowners are rightfully laser-focused on efficiency. This is where radiant heat shines brighter than ever before, leaving traditional forced-air systems gasping for air (and wasting precious energy).

So, what makes radiant heat the efficiency king? Its secret weapon is the absence of that pesky villain – the duct. In forced-air systems, hot air traverses a labyrinth of ducts, losing its fiery power like a cooling dragon through leaky scales. Walls steal thermal energy, cracks whisper secrets of wasted heat to the unheated zones, and by the time warm air reaches you, it’s a mere shadow of its former self.

This energy leak, known as “parasitic loss,” can be a substantial drain on your wallet. In older homes with ductwork riddled with leaks and inefficiencies, the loss can be even more staggering. It’s like paying for a show where half the cast exits through hidden trapdoors!

One of the downsides to forced-air heating is “parasitic loss” – a term that refers to energy loss due to inherent inefficiencies in a system. One example of this is duct work. Hot air blows through ducts, and some of that heat is absorbed through the walls of the ducts and released into unheated areas of the house, such as crawl spaces. Some homes with older types of ducting often have small cracks and holes in the ductwork, allowing heat to escape. So, the system is operating as it should, but the inherent flaws in the design of the system limit its efficiency.

Forced air vs radiant floor heating home

Another example of parasitic loss occurs when too much air is pumped into a room with limited air flow. Air pressure in that room builds and actually weakens weather stripping on window and door frames.

Another shortcoming with forced air systems are the blowers. Not only are they loud, but they require 9x more electricity to operate than the pumps in a radiant system.

In contrast, radiant heat is very efficient. And Warmboard is the most energy efficient product in the industry. Lower water temperatures and faster response times ensure you are always comfortable, and that the heat you need goes where you want, when you want it.