Radiant Floor Heating
Believe it or not, radiant floors are one of the oldest forms of heating a structure — dating all the way back to Roman times. Radiant floor heat provides numerous benefits, including increased comfort, even temperatures, cleaner air, no cold drafts, no unsightly ductwork and no floor vents, all while being quieter and more energy-efficient compared to forced-air heat.
In a radiant floor heating system, warm water flows through tubes located underneath the floors. That warmth radiates up from the floors and warms everything it comes in contact with — including people.
And radiant is compatible under any type of floor covering — carpet, wood, slate, tile, linoleum, and even concrete — making design possibilities endless.
Ultimate Energy-efficient Comfort
The water in a radiant system has a capacity to transport energy 3,500 times greater than air, so it can heat (and even cool) using less energy than a forced-air system. This amounts to greater comfort at a lower thermostat setting, which provides lower energy bills. In fact, more people are comfortable with radiant floor heating at a lower thermostat setting than with forced-air heating at a higher thermostat setting.
Additionally, a radiant heating system works in zones, allowing different areas of a home to heat at different temperatures. This allows typically chilly rooms, such as bathrooms, basements and entryways, to receive more heat when needed. At the same time, rooms with less traffic, such as a den or formal dining room, can be set to a lower thermostat setting, making the system even more energy-efficient.
More comfort for your money
Ordinary heating systems rely on air circulation to distribute heat. Because hot air rises, the warmth migrates and accumulates near the ceiling, causing forced air systems to work overtime to heat the occupied space. Radiant floor heat is more like the sun. It directly warms people and objects, warmth stays in your living space. It’s true comfort while saving money on heating bills.
Comfort You Control
Radiant heat offers you comfort choices. Warm your entire house or just problem areas like the kitchen, bathroom, basement, or entryway. Whichever you choose, you’ll be increasing your comfort today and your home’s resale value in the future. Multiple thermostats can control your comfort and your costs by allowing you to turn down the temperature in rooms that are not in use. If you want, you can have a thermostat in every room.
From new homes to renovations, radiant floor heating is the perfect addition to any home. PEX tubing can be installed in standard concrete or poured floor underlayment. PEX tubing installed between the joists is an easy application which is great for retrofitting a home for comfort. For any project, reliable radiant floor heating is an investment in comfort.
Types of Installation
Concrete Floors
In lower levels, basements and garages, PEX tubing is tied to the reinforcing mesh before the slab is poured. Radiant floor is very easy and cost effective to install in concrete.
Poured Floor Underlayment
PEX tubing is installed over suspended wood floors and covered with poured floor underlayment.
Suspended Floors
PEX tubing is placed over the subfloor. The tubing rests in heat transfer plates. This is an alternative to lightweight concrete and is excellent for remodeling projects or additions.
Key Benefits
- Concentrates heat evenly near the floor where people are located
- Eliminates cold drafts as well as noisy fans, furnaces and ductwork
- Ideal for allergy sufferers because it doesn’t circulate dirt, dust or other airborne pollutants throughout a home
- Concealed under the floor for a more aesthetically pleasing environment — eliminating the concern of blocking vents with furniture
- Easily integrates with alternative energy sources, including geothermal, solar, waste and biomass
- Can help a home earn LEED® points for reduced energy consumption
- Potentially saves up to 40% in energy costs
Forced-air Heat vs. Radiant Heat
With traditional heating systems, forced warm air is blown through a system of ducts and registers. Air is distributed unevenly throughout the house, and the system heats the room from the ceiling down, creating pockets of cold air and inefficient heat loss.
With Radiant floor heating, the system heats the room from the floor up, creating a more even, comfortable environment at much greater efficiencies.