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

[John Straube]

Carmine is of course correct (provided a condensing boiler is used and the return water temperature atctually goes through the boiler), but I did not mention it since that once not one of the choices :(. My place has radiant floors and I personally check frequently to make sure that the condensate line is running and the exhaust gases are not too hot.

Carmine Vasile wrote:
>    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
>      >
>      >_______________________________________________
>      >Greenbuilding email list
>      >      Environmentally-preferable design, construction, building elements
>      >List info:
>      http://listserv.repp.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_listserv.repp.org
>      >List email: Greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
>      >Managed by BuildingGreen, Inc. http://www.buildinggreen.com
>      >       publisher of Environmental Building News and GreenSpec
>      >Hosted and archived by REPP / CREST http://www.crest.org
>      >To get on the list:
>      >
>      http://listserv.repp.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_listserv.repp.org
>      >   or mailto:greenbuilding-request at listserv.repp.org?subject=unsubscribe
>      >To get off the list:
>      >
>      http://listserv.repp.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_listserv.repp.org
>      >   or mailto:greenbuilding-request at listserv.repp.org?subject=unsubscribe
> _______________________________________________
> Greenbuilding email list
>      Environmentally-preferable design, construction, building elements
> List info: http://listserv.repp.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_listserv.repp.org
> List email: Greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
> Managed by BuildingGreen, Inc. http://www.buildinggreen.com
>       publisher of Environmental Building News and GreenSpec
> Hosted and archived by REPP / CREST http://www.crest.org
> To get on the list:
>   http://listserv.repp.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_listserv.repp.org
>   or mailto:greenbuilding-request at listserv.repp.org?subject=unsubscribe
> To get off the list:
>   http://listserv.repp.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_listserv.repp.org
>   or mailto:greenbuilding-request at listserv.repp.org?subject=unsubscribe
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 

-- 
Dr John Straube, P.Eng.
Associate Professor
Dept of Civil Engineering & School of Architecture
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON Canada