Radiant Heat and Boilers: A Homeowner's Guide to Hydronic Heating

What Is Radiant Heat?

If you've ever walked across a heated tile floor on a cold morning, you've experienced radiant heat. Unlike forced-air systems that blow warm air through ducts, radiant heating warms your home from the ground up using hot water circulated through tubing beneath your floors.

Radiant heat is common in Albuquerque, especially in homes built with adobe or pueblo-style construction. Many homeowners love it for the even, comfortable warmth it provides without the noise and dry air of a forced-air furnace.

How Boiler Systems Work

A boiler heats water and circulates it through a closed loop of tubing, typically PEX pipes embedded in your concrete slab or installed under wooden subfloors. As the hot water flows through the tubing, it radiates heat upward through the floor surface, warming the room from the bottom up.

The boiler itself can run on natural gas, propane, or electricity. Most homes in Albuquerque use natural gas boilers due to the availability and cost of gas service through New Mexico Gas Company.

Benefits of Radiant Heat

Even, comfortable warmth. No hot or cold spots. The entire floor surface becomes a gentle heating element, creating consistent temperatures throughout the room.

Silent operation. No blower noise, no air rushing through vents. Radiant heat is completely silent.

Better air quality. Without ductwork, there's no dust being circulated through your home. This is a major benefit for allergy sufferers.

Energy efficiency. Radiant systems can be more efficient than forced-air because there's no duct loss. Water also transfers heat more efficiently than air.

Works great with tile and concrete. The materials common in Albuquerque homes — tile, stained concrete, and adobe — are excellent conductors of radiant heat.

Common Boiler Problems

No heat or insufficient heat. This can be caused by air trapped in the lines, a faulty circulator pump, thermostat issues, or low water pressure in the system.

Strange noises. Banging or knocking sounds (called "kettling") usually indicate mineral buildup or scale inside the boiler. This is common with Albuquerque's hard water.

Leaks. Any visible water around the boiler or along the piping should be addressed immediately. Small leaks can indicate corroded connections or failing seals.

Pilot light or ignition problems. Similar to furnaces, boilers can have issues with the pilot light or electronic ignition that prevent them from firing.

Uneven heating. If some zones heat properly while others don't, the issue may be with zone valves, air locks, or the circulator pump.

Boiler Maintenance

Annual boiler maintenance is essential for safe, efficient operation. A professional inspection should include checking water pressure, inspecting the heat exchanger for cracks or corrosion, testing safety controls, bleeding air from the system, and verifying that all zone valves and circulators are working properly.

In Albuquerque, our hard water can cause scale buildup inside the boiler over time, reducing efficiency and potentially causing damage. Periodic flushing helps prevent this.

How Long Does a Boiler Last?

A well-maintained boiler can last 15 to 30 years — significantly longer than a typical furnace. Cast iron boilers tend to last the longest, while stainless steel models offer higher efficiency but may have a shorter lifespan.

If your boiler is approaching 20 years old and needing frequent repairs, it's worth getting an assessment to determine if repair or replacement makes more sense.

Need Boiler Service?

MGP Mechanical services all types of boiler and radiant heating systems in Albuquerque. Whether you need a repair, annual maintenance, or are considering a new boiler installation, call us at (505) 878-5788. We'll keep your floors warm and your home comfortable.