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Radiant floor heating has become a popular trend because of its many advantages. Radiant heat is beneficial to allergy sufferers due to decrease of air borne pollutants such as dust, pollen and other irritants. The cosmetic value of being unseen is better than large obtrusive heating elements.
How Does It Work?
Underneath the flooring, heat is produced by either a water or electric system. The thermal heat produced from the system rises to warm up any object it connects with including flooring. The end result is warmth produced by radiant floor heating.
What Are My Options?
The two most popular used heating systems are water or electric systems. They each have their own plus and negative points. An important aspect of choosing your radiant floor system is to consider your home’s original heating system, the area to be warmed and start-up costs.
Hot Water Systems
Hydronic or hot water systems circulate heated water through tubings located in the sub-floor. Floor coverings such as tile or wood can be used on top of the lower-level floor. Costs to install a hot water system can be pricey, due to the need of a heating contractor to install the hydronic system.
Electric Systems
Electric systems have electric cables mounted to the subfloor. The cables produce heat that is transferred to the main flooring material such as linoleum or a thin carpet. Electric heating systems can be found in kits and do not require a professional for installation. Start-up and material costs are lower than water system products.
Radiant Floor Heating- For Outdoors
Radiant heating can be used outdoors in spaces such as driveways, walkways and patios. The same premise that can warm your flooring can be used to warm your outdoor spaces. Forgo the use of shoveling and using salt, when your pathway can be warmed from underneath. This new procedure of using radiant floor heating for your outdoor needs can be done with the consultation of heating and paving professionals.
Summary
Radiant floor heating can be used in the home and in outside spaces using either water or electric systems. A consultation with a HVAC and/or a paving professional is recommended.
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Does radiant floor heating work as well as radiant ceiling heating?
The answer is no. Radiant ceiling heating does not work as well as radiant floor heating in that heat rises so having heat in the ceiling will not be as efficient as heating in the floor.
Is radiant floor heating recommended for the bathroom?
Radiant floor heating is an excellent choice for bathrooms. It creates more of a spa environment. They are cost efficient and have thermostat control.
How do you wire a radiant floor heat system?
To explain how to wire radiant heat floor in few words its hard but here is link to detailed step by step how to install warmwire heating floor, http://www.flooringsupplyshop.com/blog/information-for-suntouch-radiant-floor-heating/suntouch-warmwire-installation-guidelines-part-1of2/ and here is a link to the video http://www.flooringsupplyshop.com/blog/how-to-videos/suntouch-how-to-videos/
The science behind radiant heating?
Radiant heating heats objects instead of the air. It is better for heating something like a cold tile floor than for heating an entire house.
Is radiant floor heating controlled with a thermostat ?
Yes, radiant floor heating is controlled by a thermostat. This is important as it makes sure the temperature never gets higher than you want it and that when it gets cold the heating goes on automatically.
What is the purpose of radiant heating?
Basically, radiant heating is used for heating the indoors and outdoors. If you've ever noticed when walking on a wood floor, it can be quite cold to bare feet. With radiant heating, the coils are installed below the floor, and allows heat to rise into the floor. This keeps the floor, and room a constant temperature. To create the kind of comfort indoors on the coldest days, that one enjoys when out on a sunny beach.
Why is radiant floor heating better then central heat?
Radiant floor heat is considered by many to be better than central heat because it is much better for our environment. Another reason is that is cost less to heat your house using radiant floor heat than central heating.
Where can one find reviews on Radiant floor heating systems?
The Energy government website has a very thorough article on what radiant heating systems are as well as their advantages. Garden Web has a page of customer reviews for various floor heating sytems.
Does Radiant Floor Heating Provide Enough Warmth?
Radiant floor heating will definitely provide additional warmth to a home. It can be very expensive but does ensure that your floors are warm and will also help to heat the rest of the house.
What are some brands of electric radiant floor heating?
Some examples of brands of electric radiant floor heating are ThermoSoft, HeatTech and Speedheat. Advantages of using such systems are that they tend to have quiet operation and great comfort.
How efficient is radiant floor heating of a patio floor which is outside?
Efficiency has to do with the amount of work done and the energy it takes to do it. If you want to heat the great outdoors, or parts thereof, there is no more efficient way than radiant heating.
How often does radiant floor heating need to be repaired?
Radiant floor heating does not need to be repaired often. Perhaps you could repair it every few years or so. You should routinely get it checked though, just to make sure it is safe.
