Replies

1. 
   Tim_Rice | Nov 15, 2001 04:30pm | #1

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   Muniini,

   See the discussion with Eddie from Ireland on some pros and cons of Radiant Floor Heat vs Forced Air Systems.

   To answer your questions, though, the first and foremost way to create a comfortable environment starts with building construction. Every dollar paid upfront for superior windows, insulation, and high efficiency equipment will reap many $$ in savings in the long run, thereby reducing operating costs, energy usage and saving the environment in the process.

   With radiant floor heating you cannot effectively cool, control humidity or introduce fresh air into your house. The comfort, efficiency and zoneability (the ability to separately control different areas of your house) in heating are exceptional.

   Forced air systems tend to have a great range of effectiveness and comfort because most HVAC contractors don't know enough about what they are doing to do it right and are unwilling to charge their customers the price it costs for a well designed and installed system. A well designed and properly installed forced air system does provide you with the ability to cool, dehumidify, ventilate and humidify the space and are very comfortable.

   In a forced air system, top quality filters are a must and there is a great deal of evidence that they contribute to better air quality. Poor filters allow dust to foul the coil, heat exchanger and ducts. Eventually (without regular cleaning) the dust in the ductwork provides a haven for microbiological growth that will cause IAQ problems. Electronic air cleaners do perform as advertised provided they are maintained, as do high efficiency mechanical filters. The former must be cleaned regularly but do not require replacement and cost more to install. Aprilaire offers excellent filters for this application.

   I don't have any comments on the Lennox humidifier, though with any humidification system I would recommend a powered humidifier (one that does not recirculate air from the supply to thee return) because bypass humidifiers reduce the overall efficiency of the system and have more potential to become fouled if not properly maintained. A humidistat in the main return plenum with computer controlled feedback control is important.

1. 
   Muniini_Mulera | Nov 15, 2001 09:02pm | #2

   *Hello Tim:Thank you very much for sharing this information. Any suggestions re: overcoming the shortcoming of the radiant floor heating system, namely, the inability to cool, control humidity or introduce fresh air into the house? Thank you again.Muniini

1. 
   Cloud_Hidden | Nov 16, 2001 03:59am | #3

   *I have Wirsbo radiant floor heat. Love it. Never liked the air blowing around all winter. It's quiet and clean.We added a Unico system for cooling (hardly have to use it, even as far south as North Carolina) and have a dehumidifier also.Agree with Tim that setting up a system like this takes a skilled contractor. Don't necessarily agree with him on the comforts of forced air. Radiant floor heat can be very efficient, depending on how you create the hot water that circulates. During winter, I'll take warm feet (I go barefoot all winter) over warm air blowing around my head any day!Jim

1. 
   Tim_Rice | Nov 16, 2001 04:01pm | #4

   *Jim,You'll notice that remark was qualified by "well designed and properly installed" but RFH wins the comfort contest, no dispute.Muniini,The introduction of fresh air into a space with or without a forced air system is best done via an energy recovery/heat recovery ventilator. There are three basic designs of these, one using a desiccant coated rotating wheel, one is a variation of a plate heat exchanger and one (Renewaire) is a unique combination of the two. What they all do is take conditioned inside air, pass it through a means to transfer energy (and in 2 of 3, moisture) to outside air (OA). Most houses have enough leakage that introduction of OA is not necessary (if you ignore the Mechanical Code) because of water heaters, clothes dryers and kitchen/bath exhaust fans take inside air and exhaust it outside creating a lower pressure inside that forces outside air to leak in.Dehumidification can be performed by a stand-alone unit or several depending on the size of the house and the environment. I believe July and August in Canada are pretty muggy, though not that hot. An undersized forced air central air conditioning system is the best whole-house dehumidifier ever devised.Adding moisture to the air is also possible with stand alone units and may not be necessary depending on building construction, number of people and other factors (i.e., a house with lots of people taking showers, abundance of live plants, aquariums, cooking, etc.. has a lot of moisture sources).I don't know of a way to cool without moving air. In floor tube systems can be operated with a heat pump but a cool floor will collect condensation in all but the driest climates. An option, though not a preference of mine, in areas with limited cooling seasons is the use of portable ACs or window units. These are inefficient, to some unsightly and will not do much to dehumidify your house.

1. 
   Muniini_Mulera | Nov 17, 2001 03:29am | #5

   *Hello Tim:Very helpful information, thank you very much. Yes the Toronto area gets very humid and very hot in late July through August. In fact it can be unbearable. We are proceeding with a WIRSBO radiant floor heating system + a Heat Recovery Ventilator + a HEPA filter + central air conditioner with an in-line humidifier. Appreciate your help.Cheers,Muniini

2. 
   Muniini_Mulera | Nov 17, 2001 03:29am | #6

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   Hello:

   I am a complete novice when it comes to residential heating, ventilation & air conditioning systems. So please bear with me.

   I am having a house custom built here in Canada and I need to provide indoor comfort without harming the environment.

   1.What are the pros and cons of a Radiant Floor Heating System versus a Forced Air System. Anyone familiar with the WIRSBO Radiant Floor Heating System? Is it worth the money?

   2. Is there objective evidence that high efficiency air filters in home ventilation systems make a significant difference to the air quality? If so what type/make of filter would you recommend and why? Do electronic air cleaners do what their manufacturers claim, i.e. are they really better than, say HEPA filters. Problems?

   3. Anybody familiar with the WP2-18 HEALTHY CLIMATE HUMIDIFIER by LENNOX? How does it compare to the common APRILAIRE humidifiers?

   I appreciate your advice and education.

   Cheers,

   Muniini K. Mulera
   In Cold Canada