Choosing the most suitable heating system for our home in winter is not easy. Making this decision depends on many factors, such as the circumstances in which we will want to install this system, the environment in which we live, the savings it can bring to our pocket or the efficiency of its consumption infra panel.
There are new heating systems that constitute interesting alternatives so that our house becomes a warm and comfortable space. In this article we will explain what these heating methods consist of and whether their consumption is efficient or not.
New heating systems
To know which is the best heating system for our home, we must take into account a series of issues. These are:
The characteristics of the home (size and orientation, for example)
- Heating needs for our house
- Installation difficulties _
- The maintenance
- The acceptable investment _
In addition to the most common heating systems, such as natural gas heating , there are some alternatives that can be really beneficial for the home . To improve our well-being, it is essential to opt for the most efficient, economical system that best meets our needs.
Infrared heating
Infrared heating system is the most unknown thermal emission technology . This system emits rays that directly heat solid objects in the home: floors, walls or furniture. In this way, heat is not transmitted through the air, but through infrared waves. The objects in our property are those that accumulate heat to release it and thus keep the spaces warm.
As for the price of infrared heating panels or heaters, it will depend on the type of equipment, its power and size . There are devices that cost around 100 euros. To install infrared heating, you only need connection to the electrical network. The plate has to be anchored to the ceiling or wall, next to a thermostat, and connected to the power.
It is one of the safest and most environmentally friendly systems, since it does not produce pollution, and has a long useful life. In addition, compared to traditional heating systems, it is economical and represents considerable energy savings . If the winter is very cold, it is a particularly recommended alternative for smaller rooms and bathrooms.
Aerothermal heating
Aerothermal energy is a technology that uses the ambient energy of the air to generate heat in winter. It is achieved through the thermodynamic cycle that uses a refrigerant gas compressed at low temperatures to extract heat from the air. Aerothermal heat pumps work as an alternative to boilers that use common fuels such as coal or gas.
Although its installation cost is usually higher than other systems (installing an aerothermal heat pump can cost between 1,000 and 17,000 euros), it is a profitable renewable energy . The maintenance costs of aerothermal heating are low and they do not use fossil fuels. It is recommended above all for places with moderate temperatures , with not very cold winters.
The underfloor heating
Underfloor heating is a heating system whose operation is based on a network of tubes that are installed under the floor of a house . Hot water circulates through these pipes to provide heating. Thus, the heat comes from the ground. As the water passes through the ground, it loses its temperature, which absorbs the cement in the ground. From there, it spreads into the environment.
Its installation is not complex , but it will depend on how the floor of the property is at that time. The installation of underfloor heating involves the placement of a floating slab as thermal and acoustic insulation. The price of the land will vary depending on the system used, as well as the characteristics of the home.
One of the fundamental benefits of this system is that it requires little energy to transmit heat , compared to conventional systems. It has high performance, is low consumption and does not take up space . It is a perfect method for low winter temperatures , since the temperature is regulated from the ground and produces a comfortable feeling in our home.
water radiators
Water radiators transmit heat to our home using water that comes from a heat generator . They are connected through a pipe circuit to this generator (it can be a boiler or a heat pump), which produces hot water. With a pump that drives the water, it reaches the radiators that release heat through convection. Once the heat is released, the water returns to the generator to repeat the process.
The amount of heat radiators produce depends mainly on the temperature of the water, the material the radiator is made of, and its size. Depending on the type of circuit, it can be a single-pipe installation (the radiators are connected in series by a pipe) or a two-pipe installation (each radiator is connected to the flow and return pipes).
As for the installation price, it depends on the price of the radiator and the cost of labor, but it is close to around 300 euros. It is an efficient system that represents considerable savings when compared to electric heating. In addition, water radiators are long-lasting and adopt different designs to be able to adapt them depending on the environment.
Now that we have reviewed the new heating systems , it is important to mention that changes have occurred regarding this issue. With the aim of improving energy savings, a law has been approved by which 1.4 million homes in Spain must change their heating systems . The Royal Decree approved on August 6 and published in the Official State Gazette , which regulates the accounting of individual consumption in thermal installations in buildings, establishes that homes that have central heating will have to adapt it .
In this way, each resident of the building in question must install meters or cost allocators , to make way for the individual heating system . According to the Spanish Association of Heating Cost Distributors ( AERCCA ), this decree seeks to make each home pay for the heating it has consumed. This will achieve significant energy savings in these homes.