Understanding Benefits of Radiant Floor Cooling Used by Hydronic Heat Pump

More often, people overlook that a Hydronic Heat Pump is capable of cooling as well as heating. However, most homeowners are very much aware of the benefits of radiant floor heating over centralized forced air heating. 

But most homeowners and also builders don’t know that radiant floor cooling is possible and can be affordable especially for those building a home with a Hydronic air to water heat pump. Please keep in mind that, radiant cooling process is quiet, efficient and completely dust free. This is the main reason why this method has been used in Europe over decades. 

More importantly, there’s a research done by Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory in California, the USA. The studies estimate that the energy savings by radiant floor cooling is over 30% than the traditional forced air cooling. 

The Benefits of Radiant Floor Heating 

Most people have a misconception that they can’t cool a slab. It’s due to the fact that a slab will condensate which will leave them in a wet floor. This is a fact, if you don’t have a proper controller in place. 

Again if you add a dew switch in the design of air-source heat pump like RESOL TS510 that integrates with MX Controller, you will eliminate the chance of any moisture on the floor due to cooling. However, the floor cooling needs around 10 degree temperature to make a great difference on the indoor cooling temperature. 

In an average, the building with a running temperature of 66 -68 F the chilled water can maintain the temperature of 68-76F. However, a cold climate air source heat pump uses a dew point sensor to monitor the condensation on the lines going into the slab. 

If the lines start condensing, the sensor will tell the controller about it. After that, the controller will make adjustments in the input temperature that goes into the slab to make sure that there’s never a chance of floor condensation. 

Other than that, the radiant floor cooling will save you more in the cost of heat pump over the fan. A general circulation pump has a consumption capacity of 0.5 Amps for heating or cooling of home. But a general fan coil AC unit can consume 8-10 Amps to operate only the fan motor. 

Another benefit is the proper distribution of cooling or heating inside the home. This means, when you consider cooling with radiant floor heating, you won’t get any hot or cold spot as well as any wind noise or draft! 

During summer, you always want to eliminate the humidity in the air. This is why you need to switch on AC. The main problem is that AC can dehumidify only when it’s switched one. That means, the AC should be running constantly in order to eliminate moisture in humid climates. But it results that the inside temperature goes below the AHRI Standard for healthy lifestyle. This can lead to summer cold symptoms like health problems. 

But the radiant flooring cooling system won’t sort out this humidity related problems. Moreover, a larger or entire house dehumidifier can do this work effortlessly at around one-fourth the cost of an AC. Aprilaire has a comprehensive line-up of whole home dehumidifiers at a price under $1000 USD.

Final Thought –

A hydronic air source water heat pump available at Arctic Heat Pumps is one of the easiest ways to maximize comfort inside your home.  Our air source heat pumps for cold climates are ideal to provide both heating and cooling benefits. 

Therefore, consider buying one of the best air-to-water heat pumps so that you can leverage your investment year round. While making a decision, you should remember the benefits and cost savings that Arctic series air to water heat pumps can offer on domestic hot water!