Benefits of Radiant Floor Heating

Radiant heating is a newer form of home heating system. Originally from Europe, it has become more and more popular in the US in recent years. Radiant heating has several useful applications, but the most common usage is underneath flooring in homes. Homes with radiant floor heating are more energy efficient, have a more even heat distribution and are cleaner and quieter.

With radiant floor heating, a series of conduits are installed beneath the surface flooring. The conduits conduct electricity when the system is turned on, and heat is created. Alternatively, hot water can be used as well. Hydronic radiant heating systems use hot water run through pipes beneath the flooring to heat the floors.

The heat in the floors is transferred to other objects it comes in contact with and ultimately to the air itself as that heat is radiated by those objects. When you walk on the floor with bare feet, you can feel the warmth, but it’s not uncomfortable. The feeling has been described to be similar to walking on a sandy beach warmed by the sun. You’ll never have to worry about cold feet again, and even leather furniture will lose its chill.

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Electric radiant floor heating has several benefits over forced air heating, one of the most common forms of home heating. Basic principles of thermodynamics tell us that heat rises. Forced air heating only heats the air, not objects, so much of the heat actually rises to the ceiling. Heating your home with a forced air system requires you to heat it top down.

Typically, the upper floors of your home are warmer than the lower floors, especially the basement. It can be challenging to get the right temperature on each level at the same time, and it can require separate heating systems. Conversely, radiant floor heating heats from the bottom up.

Because the floor is always warm, you don’t have to worry about the heat migrating to the upper levels and leaving the lower levels cold. The result is an even distribution of heat throughout your home that is more comfortable to live in. Even rooms with very high ceilings will seem nice and warm.

Part 2: More on Radiant Floor Heaters

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