Benefits of a boiler and radiant flooring
The winters in my local area are brutal.
We regularly set national records for the amount of snow accumulation.
The temperature often drops below freezing and can get down to negative twenty-five degrees. The wind chill makes the conditions feel even colder, and it can be dangerous to spend any significant time outdoors. I am fortunate that my house is equipped with a hydronic heating system. There are unique benefits to hydronic heating that are ideal for especially lengthy and cold winters. We have a boiler installed in the basement that heats up water and directs it through a network of pipes concealed beneath the floors of the home. Because the boiler has very few moving parts, it requires little maintenance and is wonderfully reliable. The pipes create a closed loop system that circulates the same water over and over. There is no risk of the system pulling in and distributing contaminants. Hydronic heating systems are especially clean and avoid issues with insufficient humidity. The operation is almost entirely silent. The heat from the pipes spreads across the surface of the floor from wall to wall. There are no cold or hot spots, no drafts and the temperature from floor to ceiling never varies more than three degrees. With radiant floor heating, the comfort is consistent and gentle. Because water heats up quickly and effectively retains heat, the system is quite energy efficient. I like that the equipment is hidden under the floor. It takes up no living space, doesn’t require a special arrangement of furniture to accommodate vents and doesn’t affect my decor.