Warmboard or Staple Up Radiant Heat?
Many people wonder which they should use Warmboard™ or a staple up radiant heating system. In actual fact the choice can be pretty clear depending on when you want to install the heating system.
If you are planning on building a new home then a Warmboard™ system is a great choice. It utilizes and combines a structural subfloor with a complex radiant panel into one straightforward radiant heating system. It is basically a strong, weather-resistant, 4′ x 8’ sheet of plywood, with a series of channels cut into the top insulation portion of the panel along with a thick sheet of high-grade aluminum, which is permanently bonded to each panel. The aluminum adds a highly conductive heat aspect for heat retention. In fact, it’s about 30% more conductive than most other common alloys, but it also cools down quickly.
Warmboard™ replaces the normal structural subfloor which means it needs to be installed as the house is being built. It can be cut, nailed or screwed and glued directly to your floor joists just like any conventional subfloor. Pipes are run trough the grooves in the subfloor for this hot water heat system. Though most Warmboard™ systems function with water ranging in temperature between 90º and 110º it can vary depending on the type of flooring you are installing. For instance if you are considering a wool carpet or another high resistant floor covering, you can easily use hotter water temperatures and still operate your heating system efficiently.
Warmboard™ also have two important properties, high conductivity and low thermal mass, which means they will heat up quickly and retain heat quite well. Unfortunately, not quite as long as radiant systems imbedded in concrete, but still very good.
On the other hand if your home is already built and you want to install a new hot water heating system, a staple up radiant heat system is what you need to consider. It is the most unobtrusive radiant heat to install in an existing home. It does not add any additional floor thickness or disrupt your existing floor coverings as it is installed underneath the current subfloor between the floor joists.
This system is perfect when you want to add a radiant heat system without replacing your floors or floor coverings. It too has limitations and is only easily possible if your basement is unfinished. This way you could easily staple up radiant heat tubing between your ceiling or floor joists.
A staple-up system is not as responsive as Warmboard™ basically because under-floor radiant heat needs to heat up the wood subfloor and floor covering above. To radiate more heat into your home, you may want to consider installing it with heat transfer plates. These heat transfer plates ensure that your heat lasts much longer as they are a better heat conductor than wood, so your home would not only heat up more quickly, the heat would also last longer.
Both these systems have their advantages. A Warmboard™ panel system can save you time and money as they are easier to install. But it really depends on when you are planning to install your system. Both types of radiant heat systems are a clean and cost effective way to go.
Why look at Solar Energy Options?
With rising energy prices and concerns for the environment, homeowners are increasingly looking at solar energy options. Experts say new benefits and current conditions are making solar energy systems a practical reality for a growing number of homeowners.
This has been aided by a new federal tax credit, plus some province/state and local incentives encourage adopting solar systems. The government offers a tax credit for a significant percent (depending on where you live) of the cost of a solar electric or solar water heating system. There is no cap for business owners and homeowners receive a maximum $2,000 credit for each system installed.
These credits make solar energy systems a feasible solution for hot water heating and electricity production for many building owners. There are many homeowners who already benefit from solar heating for their pools and spas without government incentives and this is great.
As awareness grows it is expected that thousands more will consider solar options in the near future. With continued rising energy costs and consumer interest in clean, renewable energy I believe more homeowners and business owners will look for sustainable alternatives in the upcoming year.
In many provinces/states, another advantage of solar electric systems (also called photovoltaic or PV) is the option to send excess energy back to your local utility grid and get paid for it. For example, if you are a residential customer, your system may generate more electricity than you need during the day when your family is away at work and at school. Net metering allows you to send this excess electricity to the grid, spinning your meter backwards, and reducing or offsetting the electricity you use at other times.
Today, solar energy equipment sold by reputable companies is high quality, reliable and backed by warranties. When bought from any of these reputable firms they also will be installed by experienced contractors.
There are also many resources to learn more about solar energy. FindSolar.com is a great starting place to learn more about solar energy and to check out the options for your own particular home or building. With minimal inputs, including where you live, and typical monthly energy bill, the site provides you with estimates of system size, costs, savings and other benefits.
In places such as Germany and Spain where they don’t have as much sunshine, yet they have still managed to harness the sun’s free energy to produce large quantities of clean green electricity. Unlike Germany, we in North America have a strong solar footprint, yet we have very few solar systems installed to take advantage of the sun’s energy that rains down on us every day. We can do more.
Your decision to go solar is the first step. Now you must choose an experienced, reliable partner to walk you through the process, from design to installation to rebate paperwork. But you can do it. Don’t pick the first company you bump into but start looking today.