Portable Hydronic Radiators
There are many reasons why homeowners may want to use hydronic radiators. They can be efficient and will definitely make any room comfortable. The devices work by heating water within a closed system without the need for noisy fans and without drying the air like a forced air heater will.
Some potential owners may be scared off by the idea of a massive home improvement project where walls and floors have to be torn up and redone just to enjoy the benefits of hydronic heating. That doesn’t have to be the case though, as there are a wide range of portable and self contained hydronic heaters available to choose from.
Some permanently installed devices can be incorporated into a home’s boiler system. Other types of portable installations involves tying in the combination boiler/radiator to the electrical system while using a thermostat to control temperature. There are many portable devices that simply plug into the wall. The electric and portable devices are not attached to a central system so the liquid used for heating remains enclosed within the device.
The use of heated liquid to warm a room is efficient. Though electric models do use energy it is far less than typical electric baseboard devices. Hydronic radiators come in many sizes and shapes. Some styles are designed specifically for wall mounting. Wall mount devices are usually more decorative and tend to blend nicely with a room’s decor.
Baseboard devices are probably the most common. Many are designed so that they do not stand out too far beyond the baseboards. They come in different capacities that are usually chosen according to room size or square footage of the space to be heated. Capacity of such products can range from 400 watts to 1500 watts. The items are also available in different lengths from 2 feet to 7 feet.
Some models are designed for baseboard use or for wall mount use. They may also be installed on the ceiling. Ceiling mounted products are usually wired to the electrical system and are a great way to keep heating devices from interfering with the home’s decor. Hydronic radiators can range in price from $75 to $400, depending on size and style. Portable units will cost up to $100, depending on the model chosen.