A gas furnace relies on a duct system to transport heated air to the various rooms.
The heat is then blown into the space, where the majority tends to rise straight up to the ceiling.
The air only falls back down once it cools. This process creates drafts and stratification and requires higher than necessary thermostat settings. Plus, the air blowing from the vents brings in all sorts of contaminants, such as dust and bacteria. The ducts make noise during operation, require maintenance and tend to allow a great deal of heat to escape. An alternative to a forced air system is hydronic heating. In comparison, a boiler uses water to move heat energy. It is a closed system and doesn’t require fresh water or introduce pollutants into the air. The boiler utilizes a series of pipes which can connect to radiators, baseboard heaters or radiant floor heating. No other heating system compares to the benefits of radiant floor heating. This type of system is entirely concealed beneath the floor. It takes up no living space and there’s no need to arrange furniture to accommodate vents. Heated floors operate silently, require no maintenance and create very even temperature. The heat is distributed evenly from wall to wall and rises very slowly. It heats every object standing on the floor, which then further radiates heat. The heat is very gentle and it doesn’t overly dry the air. Heated floors also accommodate zone control. A thermostat in each room allows for independent temperature settings to suit personal preference, occupancy and the needs of the particular space.