If you’re looking for a more efficient way to heat your home, radiant floor heating may be the solution. This innovative system works by warming the floors of your house using energy-efficient radiators or electric mats and distributing warmth throughout the room with greater uniformity than other methods. Not only can radiant floor heating give you considerable savings on energy bills, but it also provides an even spread of warm air and improved comfort in colder weather. Whether this technology is worth installing largely depends on two main factors.
- Cost
Installing radiant floor heating can be expensive depending on what type of tubing and installation method you choose. It is least expensive to install in new construction since the tubing can more easily be buried in the concrete foundation. - Comfort
Radiant heat tends to feel warmer than conventional forced air systems because it warms people directly rather than blowing air around them. Depending on how well-insulated a house is radiant heat system tends to be more energy efficient than forced-air heating. But there is no comparison in comfort radiant wins, feet down.
What Is Radiant Floor Heating and How Does it Work?
There are two types of Radiant heating; hydronic and electric. Hot-water “hydronic or hydrothermal” systems circulate water from a boiler or water heater through loops of plastic tubing are more popular and is more cost effective when used to heat your whole house. Electric radiant is compromised of resistance wires and works best in a single room, such as a bathroom or kitchen.
Hydronic Radiant Heating delivers heat through the floor. It’s not a type of flooring; rather it turns entire floors into radiators and warms the surroundings evenly with no cold air pockets. The hydrothermal systems tend to be more expensive than electric but offers greater control over temperature settings thanks to its easy-to-use digital interface. It also increases efficiency due to its ability to regulate room temperatures automatically based on preset timers and sensors throughout each room.
How Does Radiant Floor Heating Work?
Electric Radiant Heating works by using a network of resistance wires tubes connected to each other and to an electrical source. When you turn on your thermostat or switch on your radiant floor heater, electricity passes through these tubes, so they can heat up and begin emitting infrared radiation—a form of electromagnetic energy—that heats up objects around them (like your feet!). Hotter object absorb infrared radiation until equilibrium is reached with their surroundings at an average temperature of approximately 65°F.
What Are the Benefits of Radiant Floor Heating?
As we’ve discussed, a radiant floor heating system is highly efficient in terms of space heating and cooling. It’s also quieter and produces less dust than forced air systems, which can lead to cleaner air quality in your home. Additionally, radiant floor heat is comfortable as it reacts quickly when you change the temperature settings on your thermostat.
Radiant flooring can be installed at any time during construction or renovation—it won’t interfere with any other building materials already present. Installation is relatively easy and involves drilling holes into concrete or wood floors and inserting tubing underneath the surface. Heat radiates throughout each room evenly without leaving any cold spots!
Are There Any Disadvantages of Radiant Floor Heating?
There are some disadvantages of radiant floor heating:
- It can be expensive to install.
- It is not possible in every home
Radiant floor heating requires heat resistant subfloors such as concrete or ceramic tile. If you have an older home with wood subfloors, this might not be the best option for you.
Does Radiant Floor Heating Save Energy?
Radiant floor heating is most efficient in the winter, when you can take advantage of the warmth from your pipes. In fact, radiant heaters are so efficient at warming a room that it’s not uncommon for homeowners to turn off their forced-air furnace entirely during the harsh winter months.
How Much Will it Cost?
The cost of radiant floor heating is lower than other options because the system is more efficient and less expensive to install. Radiant floor heating is also a great option for remodels, where the existing flooring can be saved, or in new construction, where there’s no need to rip out old carpeting or hardwood floors.
The cost of installing radiant floor heating varies depending on factors like square footage, difficulty of installation and whether you hire a professional installer or do it yourself. If you’re doing the installation yourself, expect to pay between $2-$10 per square foot. Professional installers charge between $3-$25 per square foot installed, depending upon their experience level and how much work they’ll have to do removing an existing system before installing the new one. These costs are just estimates and can vary.
Is it Safe for Children or Pets?
Safety is an important factor when it comes to designing your home and choosing which type of flooring to use. Radiant floor heating will ensure your floors are safe for children, pets and even those with allergies or asthma.
First off, radiant heat systems are completely safe for children and pets. While any type of heat can be dangerous if left unattended. Radiant flooring operates at temperatures that don’t pose any danger to those who use them regularly or frequently visit your home (like guests).
Also consider that with these kinds of systems there’s no need for separate heating units in each room since the entire house is heated at once; therefore making it possible to install them in rooms where people spend most of their time such as living rooms, dining rooms and kitchens where kids often play while their parents cook dinner!
In Wisconsin, installing radiant heat in the basement level literally helps take the chill off the lower level. Since heat rises, it can make the upper levels easier to heat with an another type of system like forced air.
Is Radiant Floor Heating Worth It for Me?
If you have a large open space that would benefit from the heat being distributed evenly, radiant floor heating is a good choice.
Understanding how radiant floor heating works and how it compares to other options can help you decide if it’s the best choice for your situation.
When you’re looking for a way to heat your home and reduce energy costs, radiant floor heating can be the best option. It’s a great choice if you want to save money and energy, and it’s also good for the environment.
Radiant floor heating has been around for years, and it offers many benefits over other types of systems:
- You can save a lot of money on your energy bills because radiant heat doesn’t require ventilation like forced air systems do.
- You won’t have to worry about drafts or uncomfortable spots in the room because radiant heat distributes evenly across the entire surface area of your floors. This means that everyone will feel comfortable no matter where they’re standing!
To Sum it All Up…
Radiant floor heating is a great choice for many homeowners. If you’re considering a new heating system, consider the pros and cons of this system to see if it’s right for your needs. The best place to start is to find a plumber near you and find out which systems they offer.
Benjamin Plumbing offers in-floor heating services in Wisconsin at an affordable cost.
Call (608) 271-7071 or email to schedule your free estimate today.
