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Overview of Radiant Heating Then and NowThe radiant heating industry in US has been quite nascent until recently. The main cause for the recent popularity of such systems has been inspired from Europe, which sees over 70% of its heating systems employing radiant heat. Of course, compared to the earlier days, modern radiant heating systems are far more durable thanks to much technological advancement.Gradual Evolution Ever since the early 1950s, the radiant heating industry has evolved dramatically. Several such systems were installed within the US during the time but these were mostly made of copper. The 1970s saw the phasing out of such systems within the US because of the corrosive reaction between copper and cement. Since the copper tended to contract and expand within the cement, it would result in the cement cracking and copper breakage in the cracked places. Many of these systems had a tendency to leak and hence were taken out of production. In this manner, the overall confidence in such systems waned within the US. Europe Influence In comparison, the Europeans never faced any such issues with their radiant heating systems. The technicians happened to be more trained in Europe with the average hydronic technician actually being an engineer. With more technology and investments being channeled into radiant heating systems here in Europe, their systems are longer lasting, comfortable and more cost effective compared to systems here in US. The 80s Gradually, technicians in US started looking towards the radiant heating systems in Europe and the methods in use there. Once these techniques were copied back here, these units saw a gradual comeback within the US. New research initiatives were carried out in this segment and more money got pumped in as well, with the result that the final radiant heating units were far more advanced than before. PEX pipes One of the biggest developments within this industry has been in the sphere of PEX pipes. This kind of plastic pipe has been in existence for over four decades but it was the Europeans who began using it for many years. Certain forms of this humble plastic pipe have an average life spanning 200 years! Unlike copper, PEX pipes do not react to cement and neither do they contract or expand like copper. Hence, with these PEX pipe radiant heating systems, there are no cracks in the cement. Proper Maintenance Even in the case of those ubiquitous copper heating devices, if these had been maintained properly and installed in the right manner, they too would have lasted for many years down the line. Proper mixing of cement batches would have prevented occurrences of corrosion and saved these radiant heating systems from damage. By using the systems on lower temperatures and ensuring continual circulation too, the damage on these systems would have been reduced dramatically. If a copper system was maintained well it could have lasted several years. However, sadly in those days most technicians did not have the knowledge or expertise to install such radiant heating units. PEX Tubing, Taco Circulator Pumps, Takagi Tankless Water Heaters |