If you are looking for a new home heating system that is efficient and safe, radiant floor heating could be the solution for you. Radiant floor heating requires a substantial financial investment from the property owner, but its numerous perks make it well worth the cost. Here are some of the top benefits.
EASY OPERATION
Controlling radiant floor heating is a breeze, as you can adjust the temperature using your thermostat with the push of a button. Smart Wi-Fi thermostats enhance ease of use. Additionally, these systems require minimal heating maintenance and often come with extended warranties.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Operating at around 84 degrees Fahrenheit, radiant floor heating systems are highly effective and require less energy than traditional radiators operating at 150 to 165 degrees. This efficiency can lead to significant savings, with electric radiant floor heating potentially reducing homeowners’ energy bills by up to 15%.
SPACE SAVING
A unique advantage of radiant floor heating is the space it frees up. Traditional radiators take up space on walls, but since radiant heating is installed under the floor, this space becomes available for decorations or storage.
SILENCE
Unlike furnaces and forced air heating systems that generate noise through blower fans, radiant heating operates silently. There are no blowing, whooshing, or activation sounds.
HYPOALLERGENIC
Radiant floor heating systems, by not blowing air, contribute to a hypoallergenic environment. Unlike furnaces that can distribute dust and debris, radiant heating minimizes allergy symptoms and increases comfort, particularly for individuals with allergies.
UNIFORMITY OF HEAT
While forced air systems create warm air drafts, radiant floor heating ensures a uniform distribution of heat throughout the room. This eliminates cold spots and hot spots, providing consistent warmth.
SAFETY
Radiant floor heating is extremely safe compared to traditional radiators. The absence of hot surfaces or sharp edges reduces potential dangers for younger family members and pets. Since the entire heating system is under the floor, it also contributes to a safer home for those with respiratory issues, maintaining fresh and oxygen-filled air.
KEEPS YOUR FEET WARM
One of the worst things about getting out of bed on a cold winter morning is putting your cold feet on the ground. Most people wear slippers or thick socks to stay comfortable. However, if your floors have radiant heating, you don’t need to experience cold feet again. These units can keep the floors heated all day long, connect to a smart thermostat to activate just before you wake up, and provide reliable comfort.
NO DUCTWORK
Having ductwork in a home or business can be a hassle. It needs to be cleaned and repaired. It can leak and can serve as a home for unwanted pests. Radiant underfloor heating is easy and offers a stress-free heating solution. It never involves any ductwork and offers straightforward heating that keeps the home warm all day. Radiant heating is a solution that all but eliminates the need for maintenance with most installs being guaranteed for several decades.
FLEXIBILITY
Forced air heating can keep your home warm. But it’s a challenge to direct heat to the areas you want it to be. Additionally, installing forced air heating, especially after a remodel, can be expensive and lengthy. Radiant heating flooring solutions are flexible and can be easily placed wherever you want. Since most home residents spend their time in just a couple of rooms, they typically install radiant heating in these rooms, such as the kitchen, living room, bedroom, or bathroom.
VERSATILITY
Some homeowners worry that radiant underfloor heating won’t work on a specific floor. However, a variety of radiant heating floor units are available, so there are models that will work for just about every floor type, like stone, wood, concrete, laminate, and even carpet.
TYPES OF RADIANT FLOOR HEATING SYSTEMS
Radiant floor heating systems are typically electric or hydronic. Each system requires a different setup and installation process.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
An electronic heating system heats the home thanks to electricity that travels through cables installed under the flooring. The electricity in the system connects to the cables, which heat the floor. Typically, electric radiant floor heating systems are used as a supplement to a heat pump or a furnace. It’s not recommended for electric radiant floor heating to be the home’s primary heat source, as it can be very expensive.
HYDRONIC SYSTEMS
A hydronic radiant heating system uses the power of water. A boiler heats water and sends it through the electric tubing installed underneath the floor. This heats the home. Hydronic heating is often used as a whole-house heating system as it is much less expensive than its electric counterpart.
INSTALLING AN ELECTRIC SYSTEM
Installing an electric system is based on three primary components. The first is heating cables, the second is the thermostat, and the third is a temperature sensor. The heating cables are usually woven in plastic mats. It is straightforward to lay down the cables. It’s a matter of removing the flooring and then using a thin set as a base for mounting the cables in the subfloor. An expert electrician connects the cables to the home’s power supply. After the cables have been fully secured and the system is fully tested, the process of re-flooring the room can begin.
INSTALLING A HYDRONIC SYSTEM
A hydronic system can be more complicated to install because it requires fuel lines, a pump, and a boiler. Some panels are installed beneath the floor. This work is typically done by an HVAC technician.
AIR FLOOR HEATING
Air floor heating is a rarely used option for radiant heating systems. They are not typically used in residential applications because air does not retain heat well. You may find this option in some commercial facilities.
WHERE TO INSTALL RADIANT FLOOR HEATING FOR MAXIMUM BENEFITS
Many radiant floor heating systems are designed for room-by-room control, offering an energy-efficient option for both primary and supplementary heating. The ability to selectively heat only the spaces in use can result in significant savings.
BATHROOMS
Installing a floor heating system in bathrooms is highly beneficial. Stepping out of a hot shower onto a freezing floor is an unpleasant experience, especially in winter when tile surfaces can be cold. The presence of humidity and damp towels can contribute to the floor feeling chilly.
KITCHENS
Kitchens often feature tile flooring, similar to bathrooms, and can also accumulate humidity. During the winter and fall, kitchen floors may become uncomfortably cold. Heated floors present an excellent solution in this scenario. Given the kitchen is typically one of the most frequently used and largest rooms in a home, the advantages of heated floors are particularly noteworthy.
QUALITY PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL, AND HVAC SERVICES
At Garrett Mechanical, we are committed to going above and beyond for our customers in Marietta, GA. We employ NATE-certified technicians who take a meticulous approach to their work, ensuring it’s done right the first time. Our Better Business Bureau-accredited business has received the Neighborhood Fave Next Door award. You can count on us for all your HVAC installation, maintenance, and repair needs. We also offer electrical repair, general plumbing, drain cleaning, garbage disposal repair, hydro jetting, and drain camera inspections.
Contact Garrett Mechanical today to learn more!
