Think about running the heat tonight

[joe the plumber]

Gents,
Warm air moved across the human body has a cooling effect reguardless of how well a hot air system is designed,and I think Dave will agree,sooo many are not.I will admit though that the advances in VCM motor technology have made great strides in minimizing this problem.
Hydronic heating relies on stratification.Its not "forced" but none the less is far from perfect.
So to answer the question of which is more efficient.......I still have to say that hydronic heating still delivers the best bang for the buck for the reason I stated in the first paragraph.
And yes,I am a huge fan of radiant floor heating.I installed my first system on Block Island in 1988.Instead of payment I asked for use of the clients home for surf fishing.I still go there every year to fish.You see,this thread is about fishing in the long run!!!
I would continue to install RFH systems and others for the next 17 years,untill I closed my buisness.I now design and sell them to younger guys.....
Radiant heating is the closest one can get to a "perfect"indoor enviroment.There is no form of space heating more comfortable in my opinion,and yes,its in my home.
Joe

[Dave Dennison]

Joe, I agree 100 percent with you, No matter how balanced my warm air system is there are always cold spots and heat changes in the home. I do not have zone dampers so trying to get two floors comfortable is almost impossible.
With radiant it is a nice consistant heat that not only keeps you warm but heats very evenly. It is also very easy to zone areas when the design is done by somebody who knows what they are doing. There is no better heat in my opinion.

Up front to install radiant can get costly but in the end you will be so much happier. I think all new homes should have it. I happen to like Watts Radiant best but have installed other brands over the years.

If I built a new home I would have a Viesmann or Buderus Boiler with outdoor reset, an indirect storage tank, and radiant heat and yes a Riello Oil burner. My wife always wanted the radiant towel warmers I installed thru the years. Nothing like heating your bathroom and getting warm towels to boot..

[Saltheart]

This thread started as a one night warning about the bitter cold . Its turned into a great thread on home heating. Some of the best to the point info I've seen in years.

[joe the plumber]

Originally Posted by Saltheart

This thread started as a one night warning about the bitter cold . Its turned into a great thread on home heating. Some of the best to the point info I've seen in years.

I enjoyed it also.Now...lets countdown to Spring.AKA-Warm Weather Shutdown.

[tattoobob]

I keep my house hot if it's not 75 in my living room I'm uncomfortable and my wife complains that she's cold, I keep my bedroom cool for sleeping tho