[Greenbuilding] hot water versus forced air--and window AC versuscentral

[Carmine Vasile]

   You will never find an unbiased opinion. Hydronic radiant floor heating is
   the most efficient.
       ______________________________________________________________

     From:  Ben Pratt <prattb at uwstout.edu>
     To:  <GREENBUILDING at LISTSERV.REPP.ORG>
     Subject:  [Greenbuilding] hot water versus forced air--and window AC
     versuscentral
     Date:  Wed, 3 Oct 2007 16:43:30 -0500
     >I would like to know which uses less energy to heat a home-all else
     >being equal: forced air or cast iron radiators.
     >     I have radiators now, and like the even heat, but feel wasteful in
     >that It is usually impractical to turn down the heat at night or when
     >leaving the house for work.  I could get a deal on a forced air
     >system (from a friend that pulled a newer one out of his house), but
     >do not have a clear understanding of whether my gas bill would go up
     >or down.
     >     I was also wondering whether having window AC units, and only
     >using them in only certain parts of the house, makes sense versus
     >getting a central air system.
     >      Certainly, the forced air and central AC is more convenient, and
     >takes up less space, but which is more efficient? In surfing the web,
     >it is hard to find a unbiased opinion.
     >-Ben
     >
     >--
     >B  e  n  j  a  m  i  n   P  r  a  t  t
     >Professor
     >Department of Art and Design
     >University of Wisconsin-Stout
     >Menomonie, WI 54751
     >
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