Don Mordal answers a prospective client’s questions about Efficiencies and Radiant Heating
I really love talking about this next part so please forgive me for going a little long.
Efficiencies and Radiant Heating | Heat Loss Estimates
Heat Loss estimates really are just that – Estimates.
I’m not a fan of ever providing heat loss estimates merely because it can vary greatly depending on how someone uses their space and building. Most people never get an operational cost estimate on a competing system, but typically our operating costs are 30%-60% less than electric or propane forced air systems, hydronic or co ray vac infrared systems.
However, even if our operating costs were the same or higher we still have no maintenance, repair or eventual replacement of part or all of the system.
Efficiencies and Radiant Heating | Efficiency
Every manufacturer out there makes claims of efficiency.
I’ve even heard now of some ground source heat pump (GSHP) manufacturers claiming to be 600% efficient. I’ve seen our systems match and even be lower than GSHP’s, but I still wouldn’t make a claim to be 600% efficient. I’m not even sure what that means.
We have a study from the Department of Energy in coordination with the National Association of Home Builders that shows our Radiant Ceiling Systems to be 52% more efficient than baseboard and 33% more efficient than air source heat pumps (ASHP). Baseboards only claim to be 90%+ efficient and most ASHP manufacturers claim to be 200%-300% efficient.
Even though it makes our Radiant Ceiling Systems look really good, if you think about it – it still doesn’t really make sense either. I call it all small print propaganda.
I built a 76 x 100 (7,600 Sq.Ft.) building in 2003 with our Floor Heat System and tracked the kilowatt usage and operating costs for years and we never had a heating bill over $1,300 for the whole heating season. (Click here for case study)
On the flip side, I just talked to a guy with a 12,000 Sq.Ft. building and he said he has paid up to $5,000 per month, but is super happy and had nothing but great things to say about the system. He uses it completely different than most and with completely different operating costs.
Efficiencies and Radiant Heating – Real World Heating Costs
My last rant is my favorite and also ties into this video:
This building is 104,000 Sq.Ft. and the owner paid an engineering consulting firm to provide him with a report telling him the best and most energy efficient way to build his new manufacturing plant.
When I met with the owner, I had already read the 42 page report and included in the report was a comparison of our Floor Heating System to traditional roof top natural gas forced air units and a Hydronic Tubing system.
The engineering firms report showed that all three systems were about the same in operating costs, which came out to be around $96,000 per year to heat the building.
When he asked what I thought of the report, I said that if he paid more than $5 for that report it was a total waste of money. Kinda funny when he told me he paid $27,000 for the report. I told him that we could heat his building for less than $30,000 per year.
The first heating season was 2015/2016 and the total cost was less than $16,000 (Started in December). 2016/2017 was around $23,000, 2017/2018 (Bad Winter) – still less then $30,000 for the entire heating season. Every year since has been fluctuating with the number of degree days accordingly.
Compared to what his so called experts told him, we have already saved him over $250,000. Ridiculous!! https://www.designreadycontrols.com/connect/media/
Hundreds of Commercial Projects
Although many of our projects are residential in nature, this list has over 150 more notable projects with our heating systems installed. Any of which, I would be happy to provide a contact for you to talk to directly and ask any question you want especially operating costs.
I appreciate your due diligence and I always encourage people to do the same. I recommend comparing real world operating costs, maintenance, longevity, space, noise, etc. etc. instead of believing the small print propaganda (Including Ours) to determine if a system is a good match.
Have a Warm Day – Go Radiant!
Don Mordal
Premier Energy USA
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