Sure you can. In fact, separate heating and cooling systems really make the most sense. Radiant floor heating keeps the heat near the floor where it does the most good; and air conditioning ductwork is placed only where it is needed to cool your home.
Radiant-floor heating systems are unobtrusive because the plastic tubing that distributes hot water around the house is buried in or under the floor. Homeowners like that. But because there are no air ducts with a radiant-floor system, air conditioning must be added separately.
Radiant cooling works by circulating chilled water through panels in the floors or ceilings. These panels absorb heat, creating a cooler indoor environment. While very effective in dry climates, this system can face challenges in humid climates due to condensation when panel temperatures drop below the dew point.
Electric radiant heating can be expensive to operate, depending on local electricity rates. Hydronic systems are expensive to install. Radiant heat is difficult to retrofit and may require major renovations.
Ductless mini-split systems are an excellent air conditioning option for homes with radiator heating. These systems comprise an outdoor unit and one or more indoor units. The outdoor unit is connected to the indoor units by a small conduit that runs through a small hole in the wall.
As mentioned above, if you have a forced-air furnace, you already have ductwork installed that may be suitable for cooling purposes. In many cases, a central A/C system can be connected to existing ducts without additions.
Some baseboard-heated homes don't have ductwork, in which case you'll need to install ductwork before adding central air. Homes without ducts can also consider a mini-split system or high-velocity system in place of central air. Central AC installation costs $3,900 to $7,900 for most people.
Lifespan of Radiant Heating Systems
Radiant heating systems use water or electricity to heat floors or walls and can last 15 to 25 years. Hydronic (water-based) systems have a longer lifespan than electric systems.
Radiant floor heating can heat an entire house but in some cases might not always be suitable as the sole heat source (e.g. extremely cold climates). Radiant floor heating systems are often more efficient than traditional systems.
Energy efficient
Most electric floor heating systems use 12 watts per hour per square foot, meaning a 100-square-foot room would use 1200 watts in total every hour, or 300 watts less than the average space heater.
Advantages of turning off UFH for the summer
By using the temperature controls for UFH, users can easily switch off their system for the warmer months of the year and gain from further energy savings. Keeping radiant floor heating activated through June, July and August can be a waste of valuable resources.
Radiant floor heat is a fantastic way to add warmth and comfort to your home during the colder months. Not only does it provide effective heating, but it also enhances your family's comfort. So, does radiant floor heat add value to your home? The answer is a resounding yes.
Indusmatrix Radiant Underfloor Cooling System at ₹ 550/square feet in Ghaziabad.
Some radiant heating systems also operate as cooling systems, circulating chilled water through floors, walls or ceilings in the cooling season to absorb heat energy from spaces.
Yes, you can add air conditioning to a forced air system, as long as the existing infrastructure supports the addition. This often involves integrating a condenser unit and evaporator coil into the current ductwork. Homeowners considering this upgrade should assess the current ductwork and system capacity.
Even though hydronic radiant floor heating is considered more cost-effective than an electric system, you're still looking at $6 to $20 per square foot for installation.
Homes with radiators do not have duct work and therefore your home will require additional equipment or ductwork to provide you air conditioning. In this article, we will discuss the air conditioning options you have available to be comfortable in your home with radiators. Ductwork can be added to any existing home.
Yes, underfloor heating has a few disadvantages, such as higher installation costs, longer warm-up time compared to radiators, and potential restrictions on furniture placement.
Compared to traditional radiators, radiant heating panels are highly efficient – which leads to lower running costs.
Radiant heating system leaks
This is rare, thankfully, but still a risk. It's most likely to occur if there are shifts in the floorboards or any other flooring material, which puts stress on the joints and leads to leaking.
Never Leave Unattended: Do not leave the space heater unattended while it is operating overnight.
Yes, you can install central air conditioning in your house. Central air systems provide whole-home cooling and are a common HVAC upgrade for many homeowners. The installation process typically involves adding ductwork, an outdoor condenser unit, and indoor air handling components.
Replacing baseboard heaters with forced air is common for many homeowners because forced air systems are much more efficient and save your bank account over time.
The average cost to install a mini-split is $2,000 to $14,500, with a national average of $3,000. The more zones, the higher the cost.