I'm in the process of not-quite super-insulating the second story of a cape. R-10 triple pane krypton windows and R-40 roof with R-30 walls (closed cell spray foam/foam board sheathing combo). With the radiators removed and the stairwell covered with a dust shield it gets reasonably warm via heat from the rooms below. The 5 radiators are definitely overkill with the massively increased insulation. With the thermostat downstairs in the not-so well insulated part over-heating could become a problem. Individual thermostats in each room would be nice (two bedrooms up there, one of which isn't occupied regularly). This is in MA and I have a oil fired furnace. Has anyone lived with radiant ceiling? I've read the feeling of heat on the head can be uncomfortable as they run hotter than radiant floor. Can electric ceiling radiant be run at lower temps if the heat load doesn't demand high temps ala a reset system?
How do I accurately measure the heating load taking into account all the heat bleeding up from below to estimate what the electricity costs would be?
Reset based hydronic radiant floor would be the ideal I suspect but I already have nice hardwood floors and staple up from below would require more renovation than I can get away with right now. Using electricity doesn't phase me, long term its sure to be way greener and cheaper than oil and putting in photovoltaic solar is a distinct possibility down the road. If I want the best possible heating system should I just live with the radiators (maybe remove two) until I can open up the ceiling below for staple up? Is there anywhere I can go to experience ceiling radiant? I've experienced radiant floors and they sure are nice, how close is ceiling radiant to it I wonder?
Newer steel radiant radiators don't appeal to me, if I'm going to sink some coin into this I want my heating system to disappear and I want warm feet. Hydronic radiant using pex in the walls crossed my mind but the slope walls are already too thin and furniture would block a lot of the knee wall area.
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