Radiant Floor Heating Systems – Providing Warmth and Comfort in Your Home

One of the best ways in heating your home is to install radiant floor heating systems. Such systems work by increasing the temperature of your floor, walls, and ceiling.

Heat will then be radiated to the house interior as well as to your furniture and as a result, you will feel warm and comfortable even during winter. It has several advantages compared to other heating types as listed below:

1. Higher efficiency

It utilizes the principle of heat transfer and radiation. This system also has the ability to provide heat that is close to the amount of heat that it receives.

2. Cheaper

Radiant systems consume less electricity. You can also turn the system off once your home is heated because the circulating heat is enough to make you feel comfortable for some time.

3. Less allergic reactions

This heating system does not blow heated air, or cause poor air flow which can trigger allergic reactions for some consumers.

The common types of radiant floor heating systems are as follows:

1. Air-heated

This is not applicable for residential and general use, and is best used in industrial and commercial applications. It will require large construction requirements and can be very expensive.

2. Hydronic

Hydronic systems employ tubes that are buried in a certain pattern under the floor. Hot water will be pumped to the tubes which will cause radiant heat. You can control the temperature by varying the amount of water flowing through the tubes. This type is the most popular and cost-efficient.

3. Electric

This might not be the best type among the three, but can be the most applicable for residential use. Electric cables will be built underneath your floor and can be covered with certain material for thermal insulation.

Thick masses of floor-warming materials are good for electric types because heat can be preserved for a long time and lessen the electricity consumption.

The efficiency of your radiant system will depend on the combination of your heating system and floor covering. While most flooring like linoleum, carpet, vinyl, and hard wood can be used, it is important that you consider the floor covering material to maximize the benefits of your heating system.

Some materials, like wood, can deteriorate and become dry because of heat. The best insulation covering can be ceramic tiles, but you can also use mineral wool insulation. It is made from two types of man-made material.

First is rock wool that is composed of natural minerals like basalt and diabase, and second is slag wool that is created from impurities from molten metal. It is fire-resistant and is mostly made from recycled contents from post-industrial processes.

You can choose from blanket or loose-fill for your heat insulation material. Blankets are also available in batts and rolls, which can be installed in walls, joists, and attic. Aside from floor, it can also be used in flat roof insulation.

Loose-fill refers to small particles that are applicable for small gaps and in retrofits. You can use it without affecting the external finishing and structure of your floor. Both blanket and loose-fill has insulation rating that is less prone to heat loss, making it a good floor cover for radiant systems.