How to Heat an Assisted Living Facility? As an assisted living facility owner, you are concerned with comfort as well as controlling your energy costs.
Assisted Living Facility Heating Challenges
As we age, our bodies are unable to retain heat. This causes nursing home occupants to frequently feel cold and to need a extra blanket even when you “turn up the heat” and blow hot air at them.
Inside your facility, the heating challenges in your assisted living facility change as you attempt to heat a wide variety of areas.
The core problem is caused by wide variations in heat loss in each area. But in every area, you need to be concerned about losing heat:
Ceilings
High, poorly insulated ceilings are a key source of heat loss. You need to lock that heat in so it doesn’t fly to the sky.
Walls
Poor wall insulation is another source of heat loss. It’s a slow and steady loss of heat energy that adds to your heating costs every month.
Doors
Your doors will be opened and closed many times each day. As each person enters or leaves your assisted living facility, your heating expenses skyrocket.
Windows
Poorly insulated and sealed windows are a major source of heat loss as well as an area of discomfort for customers seated near the window.
Floor
Yes, even your floor is a problem area for heat loss.
But wait! Doesn’t heat rise? If so, how can your floor be a source of heat loss in your assisted living facility?
A New Heating Paradigm
Let’s ask that question again. Does heat rise?
Surprisingly, the answer is no, heat does not rise.
It’s hot air that rises. Conversely, heat is attracted to cold.
It’s basic physics. Heat goes to cold in any direction.
If it is cold at the ceiling of your assisted living facility, heat will move in that direction. The same is true for your walls and even your floor. But the real problem areas are your windows and doors.
Not because heat is rising (remember – that’s hot air), but because your windows are colder than the temperature of the room and every time your assisted living facility door opens heat is attracted to the cold outdoors.
As you consider this new heating paradigm, ask yourself – why would I heat my assisted living facility by blowing hot air?
You would never let your assisted living facility profits escape through your ceiling, walls, floor, windows and doors, if you understood you can lock up those profits for your assisted living facility.
Assisted Living Facility Heating Considerations
What do you need to consider in heating your assisted living facility if you are constructing a new assisted living facility or renovating an existing assisted living facility?
Product Costs
How much capital will you invest in the heating product for your assisted living facility? You’ll need to consider the costs of heating system controls as well as the core product.
Installation Costs
How complex is the installation of the heating system for your assisted living facility? This directly affects the time it takes to install, which has a direct impact on the installation costs.
Operating Costs
What will the ongoing operating costs be for your assisted living facility heating system? Although this will vary based on the severity of the weather, your projected operating costs can be calculated.
Maintenance Costs
How much will it cost you to maintain your assisted living facility heating system? How often will you need to buy parts to keep your heating system running at top-notch efficiency?
Replacement Costs
When will your heating system need to be replaced? Five years? Ten years? Twenty years? Never?
How long your assisted living facility heating system will last is a major consideration when evaluating the lowest total cost of heating system ownership.
You’ll want to consider each of these factors individually, but also all of them together to realize the lowest total cost of heating system ownership for your assisted living facility.
In addition, you’ll want to ensure you are providing the ultimate in warmth and comfort to keep your guests opening your assisted living facility door.
Before you choose the heating system for your assisted living facility, you’ll also want to consider the experience of your heating system consultant, the heating system manufacturer’s track record and how your heating system compares to alternative systems.
Heating System Consultant Experience
Always look for a heating systems consultant with years of diverse experience in delivering heating systems for assisted living facilitys. They should be able to demonstrate successful assisted living facility heating projects they have completed and explain how they apply unique solutions specifically to heating assisted living facilities.
Manufacturer Track Record
Always look for a manufacturer with a lengthy track record for delivering quality product solutions and a solid product warranty. You’ll also want to examine their track record for on time delivery as well as product documentation, such as installation guides and owner’s manuals.
Assisted Living Facility Heating Alternatives Comparison
Explore alternative assisted living facility heating systems to determine which heating system provides the best solution for heating your assisted living facility.
|
Convection (Forced Air) Heating Systems |
Hydronic Radiant Heating Systems |
Electric Radiant |
|
| Product Costs |
Medium |
High |
Low |
| Installation Costs |
Medium |
High |
Low |
| Operating Costs |
High |
Medium |
Low |
| Maintenance Costs |
High |
Medium |
None |
| Replacement Costs |
Medium |
High |
None |
| Total Cost of Heating System Ownership |
Medium |
High |
Low |
Assisted Living Facility Heating System Solutions
We offer a wide range of heating solutions for your assisted living facility:
Electric Radiant Thermal Mass Storage Heating Systems
Our most effective product for new assisted living facility construction projects. This product is installed under the concrete slab of your building and delivers the absolute lowest total cost of heating system ownership. If you have off-peak rates available in your area, you can increase your savings dramatically with this assisted living facility heating system. Learn more about Thermal Mass Storage Heating Systems.
Electric Radiant Ceiling Heating Systems
Our Radiant Ceiling Heating Systems are perfect for assisted living facilitys with enclosed ceilings and are installed between the joists and above the ceiling. This system can be used for new construction as well as renovations. Learn more about Radiant Ceiling Heating Systems.
Electric Radiant Supplemental Heating Systems
Our Supplemental Heating Systems are perfect for addressing cold areas in existing assisted living facilities by the windows and doors. They can also be used effectively in new construction and offer a variety of aesthetically appealing installation options. Learn more about Electric Radiant Supplemental Heating Systems.
Electric Radiant Heating System Controls
One of the most important considerations in designing an effective heating system for your assisted living facility are the controls so you can manage your heating system in various areas of your assisted living facility at different times of day. Learn more about our Electric Radiant Heating System Controls.
Electric Radiant Snow and Ice Melting Systems
The safety of your customers, employees and vendors is vitally important to every assisted living facility owner. One of the greatest risks to their safety is the risk of slips and falls due to snow and ice. Our snow and ice melting system can also have a positive impact on your liability insurance premiums (check with your insurance agent). Learn more about Electric Radiant Snow and Ice Melting Systems.
Get the Lowest Total Cost of Heating System Ownership for Your Assisted Living Facility