Floor Heating System

Keep Your Home Warm With a Radiant Floor Heating System

By Ed Wolfe Jr

Many homeowners are considering installing a radiant floor heating system for efficiency and comfort. Because it is quiet and economical, radiant heating is a great choice for homeowners who want comfortable warmth combined with the cost savings of energy efficiency. When compared to traditional heating methods, this new technology offers plenty of benefits.

Radiant heating uses forced heated liquid or electric wires through the panels that are located under your flooring. The floor itself absorbs radiant heat from its heating source until the floor itself becomes the same temperature as the heat source. The heat rises and warms up the room evenly. Because there is no moving air, people with allergies to dust and other environmental contaminants will not suffer as much.

Convection is the method through which the system distributes the heat. This is the natural heat circulation caused by heat rising from the floor. Radiant floor heating systems are different from the radiant panels or traditional radiators that are used in walls and ceilings. Radiant floor space heating provides a room with uniform temperature from the floor to the ceiling. Traditional heating methods create warmer and cooler areas throughout the room.

Radiant heating has a number of advantages over conventional heating systems. Radiant heat works silently and does not require ductwork or above-floor radiators. It is generally more efficient than forced-air heating because there is no energy loss through existing ductwork. Hydronic (liquid-based) systems also use very little electricity to circulate the warm fluid through the tubes. A hydronic system can also be heated from a variety of energy sources, including gas boilers, oil boilers, solar water heaters, geothermal - or a combination of these heat sources.

Dense masonry type materials, such as ceramic tile, are the most effective type of floor covering when installing a new radiant heat system. Tile conducts heat well from beneath the floor and adds to the overall thermal mass of the system. Vinyl, linoleum, wood can also be also used, though they may not work as effectively as tile.

Ideal locations to incorporate radiant heating include bathrooms, entryways and kitchens. Tile, slate, marble and even hardwood floor coverings are cold to step onto with bare feet. With a radiant floor heat system installed under the floor of these areas, you won't need to worry about cold floors again.

If you are considering replacing your traditional forced air heating system, now is the time to do so! With energy prices on the rise, you can start to save sooner than later.