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Heating contractor helps homes radiate warmth
By KELLY BOYLES Reprinted by permission - Eastern PA Business Journal - October, 1996
"When we were planning the building, one subcontractor told me I shouldn't try to use conventional heat. Radiant heat would be the perfect application for the high ceilings," says Jim Macdonald a homeowner in Coplay.
The ceilings are just the beginning. The entire rear of the 3,800 square-foot custom home is nothing but windows, top to bottom. The ceilings in the main part of the house and the master suite are 18 feet tall. No matter if it's electric or oil -- even the gas bill would make most people dizzy.
Searching for more information he stumbled on a home show explaining the technology and benefits of radiant heat. That's when it hit
him, he thought "That's the way." Finding a local vendor was no small feat, considering that radiant heat makes up only 1 percent of the overall U.S. heating market. That's when he met Jeffrey Young, owner and operator of Climatec of Easton. "I set a higher standard of efficiency," says Young, whose company specializes in radiant heating.
"I'm trying to bring a European feeling to heating your home. In the U.S., forced hot air is popular. But it's just not comfortable," continues this member of the Radiant Panel Association. Radiant, or panel heating, is space heating by means of wall, floor baseboard or ceiling panels with embedded electric conductors or hot-air or hot-water
pipes. Originally dating back to the Romans, radiant heating gained an unstable reputation in previous decades, says Young.
"It's a completely different science now than 30 years ago. They used to dump copper pipe into concrete. The pipe would break, and leaking water was a real problem. With today's new plastics for tubing, modern systems will probably last longer than the house itself." Installation is easier for buildings under construction. But Young maintains he can install radiant heating in almost any existing building, with a minimum of muss and fuss. He can lay a piped hot water system in the slab by using special gypsum concrete, or staple aluminum panels to the subfloor of a finished house.
Radiant heating can be used with any type of flooring: hardwood, tile, or carpet. Floor systems are very stable, and tend to maintain a more uniform climate. Young says he can install radiant into walls and ceilings if the total heat load of the room makes it necessary. They respond more quickly to changes in room environment than floor systems do.
Proponents say the most obvious benefit
is the comfort. Just as a cold window drafts heat from the body and makes one feel cold, unheated floors also rob the body of warmth. Walking on warm floors reduces bodily heat loss. "The comfort level and inviting warmth are unmatched by any other system," maintains Young. When a large surface like a floor is heated, it keeps a consistent temperature Young says. The bigger the surface, the lower the actual surface temperature required.
Because the method of heating is so efficient, no matter which fuel is used -- electric, gas or oil -- much less is required to keep the house warm. It wasn't comfort that compelled the Europeans to seek higher efficiency -- it was economics. "Energy costs are triple
there what they are here," comments Young. "That forced them to develop energy efficient systems. For example, a gallon of fuel costs less than a dollar here. In Canada and Europe, it's $2.50."
That's why radiant heat comprises 75 percent of the total market in those countries. Young says it's inevitable that domestic costs will soon put Americans in a similar pinch. "Sooner Or later, U.S. costs must catch up. And heating systems here are notoriously wasteful. With radiant heat, the boiler runs at a lower temperature between 100 to 130 degrees. In most homes, furnaces operate at 180 to 200 degrees. "I can greatly increase comfort. while greatly decreasing energy consumption," maintains
Young. With radiant heating, thermostats can comfortably be set three to five degrees lower. Young claims that each degree translates into 3 percent energy savings.
While savings may be significant, there's no getting around the initial price tag: "It's more expensive to install -- by 25 to 30 percent. Yet it's so much more efficient to run. A full-blown system, with all the bells and whistles, pays for itself in five to seven years," says Young.
Macdonald says in his home during the ferocious winter of 1995, the average daily cost to heat the entire house, 20-inch snows and subzero temperatures notwithstanding, was $5 to $6 dollars per day, including hot water. From April until September, the oil
burner sipped a scant 1/16th of a tank. He estimates the system will pay for itself within eight years.
But does it feel warmer? According to Macdonald, the results are "awesome. The simple comfort is great. The heat doesn't go to the ceiling. It stays in the first 10 feet from the floor. So the warmth is concentrated where the people are. It's definitely worth every penny," he assures.
Additional benefits abound. Radiant's versatility helps clients see their way to biting the investment bullet up front. Not only does the boiler heat the house or facility, it's also perfect for domestic hot water, snow melting, and spa and hot tub heating. Because there's no air movement, it's much
healthier. No dust blows around, and cleaning is easier. Says Macdonald: "My wife and I have two kids. We no longer worry about them getting chilled or catching colds. How can you put a price on that kind of comfort!"
The company, founded by Young in 1992, has grown 35 percent in the first four years. Revenues for 1995 topped $100,000. Young guarantees all labor for a full three years, and all manufacturers' warranties apply. Because radiant heating is so unusual in this country, "I have to educate my clients. Home shows on TV in the last few years have emphasized radiant floor heat, so that's really raised awareness. I certainly don't mind sharing my knowledge. I enjoy giving information to
clients."
If Macdonald is any indication, clients are probably his best advertising. "Builders and contractors won't sell radiant heat systems until the demand is there." When it is, Climatec will be leading the charge.
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