When looking for home improvements, smart homeowners know they cannot go wrong with in floor radiant heat. Whether you are making a small improvement to upgrade a bathroom or undertaking a whole house renovation, recent innovations in home radiant heating will help recoup your investment in short order. In addition, in floor radiant heat makes a significant difference in the overall warmth of your home that you will appreciate all Winter long.
Air-Heated In Floor Radiant Heat
This type of floor heating is not very cost-effective so is not used very often. When it is used, it is often installed with conventional forced air heating installations. Trying to heat a home in this way, with a forced-air heating system is becoming obsolete in favor of more efficient in floor radiant heat options.
Electric In Floor Radiant Heat
Electric radiant floor heating typically consists of electric cables or mats of electrically conductive plastic mounted on or in the sub-floor below the finished floor. Because of the high cost of electricity, these types of installations are becoming less cost-effective. In fact, they are only viable when installed under concrete or tile flooring where the thermal mass stores the heat that is radiated later.
If the thermal mass is adequate, the heat stored will keep the room at a comfortable temperature for a while. This saves energy compared to heating the room with a forced-air system. This efficiency exists in a conventional heating system as well as a hybrid solar system.
Hydronic In Floor Radiant Heat
Hydronic heating systems are the oldest radiant floor heating systems and date back to Roman times. These systems have become popular once again as they are the most efficient and cost-effective radiant heating systems available on the market. Modern materials have put a new spin on this ancient idea.
Radiant floor heating systems pump heated water from a boiler, water heater, or solar hot water system through flexible tubing laid beneath the finished flooring. Most hydronic radiant floor systems allow each room to be controlled for comfort with thermostats to regulate individual room temperature. Commonly installed in both new construction and renovations, homeowners report significant savings in heating costs that far outweigh any cost of installation.
Homeowners who install in floor radiant heat not only report significant cost savings, but they also marvel at the even and consistent heating in floor radiant heat provides. They often wonder how they ever got along without the warmth that this type of heating offers. If you are interested in learning more about in floor radiant heat, contact Kew Forest Plumbing. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have so you can make the right choice for your home.
