For a long time, the radiant floor heating has been the most preferred system in many homes.
This is because of the reliable and thorough heat it provides to a home and the people living in it.
With heat provided from the ground, families are guaranteed the sufficient warmth they need during the cold season.
Radiant heating systems supply heat to the flooring or to the wall panels or ceiling.
From the source, heat is directly transferred to the people and objects in the room through heat radiation also known as infrared radiation.
This process is considered to be more efficient than baseboard heating and forced-air heating as no energy escapes while it goes through the ducts.
It is also beneficial to people with allergies as no moving air is involved.
Radiant heating that uses the water system or the hydronic type has an edge as it consumes less electricity.
It can also use different energy sources such as the boilers fueled by gas, oil or wood, solar water heaters or a combination of these.
As for the floor covering, the most commonly used is the ceramic tile as it's a very effective conductor of heat.
Other suitable materials are vinyl, wood, linoleum sheet and carpeting.
Different types There are actually three types of radiant floor heat - the radiant air floors, electric radiant floors and hydronic or hot water radiant floors.
The installation of these types also varies.
Radiant air floors are not commonly used in homes but they can be used together with solar air heating systems.
The only downside is that they can only be used during the day.
The electric radiant floors involve the use of electric cables installed on the floor.
The latest innovation is the mat type with plastic that are electrically conductive and is rolled out on the subfloor beneath the flooring.
They can cost less if using a thermal mass such as thick concrete flooring.
The role of the thermal mass here is to store heat in a home lasting from eight to 10 hours without need for any electrical input.
This, therefore, translates to more savings to homeowners.
Hydronic radiant floors are also referred to as the liquid systems.
This type is considered the most popular and cost effective as well.
In this system, heated water is pumped from a boiler going through tubing laid in a certain pattern under the floor.
There are some systems involving zoning valves or pumps and thermostats which allow homeowners to control the temperature in each room by regulating the hot water's flow through the tubing.
Installation process Installing radiant heating systems can either be wet or dry.
The wet type of installation is the oldest form and involves cables or tubing embedded within a solid floor such as a slab, gypsum or other materials placed on top of a subfloor.
The dry floor features cables or tubing running in an air space underneath the floor.
This type has also been gaining popularity as it is quicker and less costly to install.
This, however, requires heating at higher temperatures because it entails heating an air space.
Another variation in dry installations requires suspending the tubing or cables below the subfloor between the joists.
This involves more work, though, as drilling needs to be done through the floor joists to be able to install the tubing.
Whether building a new home or renovating your present home, it's important to consult a professional before deciding on what type of radiant floor heating to use.
This is because of the reliable and thorough heat it provides to a home and the people living in it.
With heat provided from the ground, families are guaranteed the sufficient warmth they need during the cold season.
Radiant heating systems supply heat to the flooring or to the wall panels or ceiling.
From the source, heat is directly transferred to the people and objects in the room through heat radiation also known as infrared radiation.
This process is considered to be more efficient than baseboard heating and forced-air heating as no energy escapes while it goes through the ducts.
It is also beneficial to people with allergies as no moving air is involved.
Radiant heating that uses the water system or the hydronic type has an edge as it consumes less electricity.
It can also use different energy sources such as the boilers fueled by gas, oil or wood, solar water heaters or a combination of these.
As for the floor covering, the most commonly used is the ceramic tile as it's a very effective conductor of heat.
Other suitable materials are vinyl, wood, linoleum sheet and carpeting.
Different types There are actually three types of radiant floor heat - the radiant air floors, electric radiant floors and hydronic or hot water radiant floors.
The installation of these types also varies.
Radiant air floors are not commonly used in homes but they can be used together with solar air heating systems.
The only downside is that they can only be used during the day.
The electric radiant floors involve the use of electric cables installed on the floor.
The latest innovation is the mat type with plastic that are electrically conductive and is rolled out on the subfloor beneath the flooring.
They can cost less if using a thermal mass such as thick concrete flooring.
The role of the thermal mass here is to store heat in a home lasting from eight to 10 hours without need for any electrical input.
This, therefore, translates to more savings to homeowners.
Hydronic radiant floors are also referred to as the liquid systems.
This type is considered the most popular and cost effective as well.
In this system, heated water is pumped from a boiler going through tubing laid in a certain pattern under the floor.
There are some systems involving zoning valves or pumps and thermostats which allow homeowners to control the temperature in each room by regulating the hot water's flow through the tubing.
Installation process Installing radiant heating systems can either be wet or dry.
The wet type of installation is the oldest form and involves cables or tubing embedded within a solid floor such as a slab, gypsum or other materials placed on top of a subfloor.
The dry floor features cables or tubing running in an air space underneath the floor.
This type has also been gaining popularity as it is quicker and less costly to install.
This, however, requires heating at higher temperatures because it entails heating an air space.
Another variation in dry installations requires suspending the tubing or cables below the subfloor between the joists.
This involves more work, though, as drilling needs to be done through the floor joists to be able to install the tubing.
Whether building a new home or renovating your present home, it's important to consult a professional before deciding on what type of radiant floor heating to use.
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