How Much Does Panel Heating and Cooling Cost?
Radiant Panel Heating Prices
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What is Radiant Panel heating and cooling?
A radiant heat panel, otherwise known as a radiant cooling panel, delivers hot or cold either by air or electric resistance. The panels give off warm or cold air depending on the temperature settings. They are typically connected to a thermostat to control when they start.
You can buy surface mounted panels for your walls and ceilings or you can buy panels that fit into a suspended ceiling grid. Electric units plug into an electrical outlet. They can also be hardwired into your system and turned on by a switch or thermostat. They can range in size; anywhere from a small 1x2 panel anywhere to a 4x8 panel. Energy consumption of these panels ranges from 100 watts all the way up to 3000 watts. They are much more efficient than any other heating systems, both, in terms of heat dispersion and energy efficiency.
Water vs. Electric Radiant Panel Systems
The biggest difference between the two types of systems is that an electric system does not offer cooling capabilities. Electric radiant heat panels can do only that heat. They usually cost about 20% more to run, as well. However, the initial materials cost is lower.
Radiant Heat Panel Prices/ Radiant Cooling Panels Prices
A typical 750 watt 2x4 electric radiant heat panel costs $150-$200. The radiant panel installation will cost anywhere from $4 to $10 per square foot. The same size water powered panel will cost almost twice as much. Installing them will typically cost approximately twice as much as electric heating panels.
The higher cost of installing hydronic radiant panels is due to having to tie each panel together with a forced water pump. You do get the added benefit of radiant cooling with a water system. However, you do have to worry about faulty installation or leaky pipes with a water based system. A repair like that could cost upwards of $10,000.
Wall Mounted Panels vs. Ceiling Panels
A typical wall mounted radiant heat/cooling system will be more efficient at heating a room and making it comfortable. However, you will lose room space and they may distract from the ambiance of the room because they stick out. They will also be more expensive to install, especially if the room you are installing them in already has a suspended ceiling grid, such as a basement or commercial office building. Objects in front of a panel do not block heat from the panels as with a traditional baseboard heater because radiant heating systems do not heat air; they heat objects which give off heat.
A ceiling panel system will be nearly invisible once you install it. Moreover, it is typically cheaper to install than wall mounted panels. However, the radiant heat given off by ceiling mounted panels will have to travel farther to heat the objects in the room. Some people do not like being heated from the head down. Its best to use this type of panel when ceiling height is not an issue.