![]() “If propane prices quadrupled in Georgia next week, we would likely see an increase in radiant new construction business there because of the excellent energy efficiency you can obtain with these systems.”īut comfort is still the main reason consumers choose radiant heat over other options. “The market share for radiant heating tends to be higher where energy is expensive, regardless of geography,” said Rohr. ![]() That’s why it’s important for contractors to point out how much energy can be saved with a radiant heating system, especially in areas with high utility costs. There is also a lack of education on how to put these systems in and a perception that these types of systems cost a lot.” But we need to increase awareness for those who are native to the southern regions as well. “Many older people who move South are at least somewhat aware of radiant heating systems. To set themselves apart in this way, contractors in temperate climates should focus on raising awareness of radiant heating technology, said Swanson. The best contractors often present a variety of heating source options to their customers and pick which one fits their needs.” “If every one of your competitors installs forced-air heating equipment, and you can bid and install a boiler system option, you have set yourself apart from the crowd. “Floor-heating contractors have a distinguishable skill set in warmer climates,” said Rohr. While radiant heating systems will probably never be as popular in warmer climates as heat pumps or furnaces, contractors should still consider offering them. Radiant cooling allows the use of these systems almost all year long.” INCREASED AWARENESS “When customers choose these systems, they want to be able to use them year-round and not pay for something they only use a few times a year. For cooling, however, a hybrid system is commonly needed to cover the cooling load and address the humidity appropriately.”įor commercial applications, Swanson agrees that combining radiant heating and cooling makes the most sense for many end users. For heating, radiant systems are generally designed to be the sole source of heat. “A well-designed radiant heating and cooling system can use up to 30 percent less energy than other options. Radiant heat can be installed as either a primary or supplemental heat source, but Rohr believes it is most efficient to use it as the primary heating method in warmer climates and install it with radiant cooling. “Our systems tend to be very efficient, because we can design around lower water temperatures due to the milder climate,” said Copeland. And while most customers in this area choose radiant heat due to a want rather than a need, once the system is installed, they find the energy savings it offers as an added bonus. Granted, northern Arizona gets its share of colder weather in the winter, but for much of the year, it is a gloriously temperate climate - particularly around Sedona, which is where Copeland installs most of his radiant heating systems. Many of them came from other parts of the country where radiant heating was more popular, and they wanted that same kind of comfort here.” “We found that people retiring to northern Arizona wanted this type of system in their new homes. Consider Richard Copeland, service manager of Verde Sol-Air Services in Camp Verde, Arizona, who started offering radiant heating systems about 15 years ago. Most people don’t think of radiant heating systems as being very popular in warmer climates, such as Arizona, Texas, or Florida, but that may not be the case anymore.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |