You can further categorize these types by installation. There are three types of radiant floor heat - radiant air floors (air is the heat-carrying medium), electric radiant floors, and hot water (hydronic) For this reason, the following sections discuss radiant floor heat and radiant panels separately. Radiant floor heating systems are significantly different from the radiant panels used in walls and ceilings. For more on the different types of energy sources and heat distribution systems for home heating, explore our Energy Saver 101 infographic on home heating.ĭespite its name, radiant floor heating depends heavily on convection, the natural circulation of heat within a room as air warmed by the floor rises. Hydronic systems can use a wide variety of energy sources to heat the liquid, including standard gas- or oil-fired boilers, wood-fired boilers, solar water heaters, or a combination of these sources. Hydronic (liquid-based) systems use little electricity, a benefit for homes off the power grid or in areas with high electricity prices. People with allergies often prefer radiant heat because it doesn’t distribute allergens like forced air systems can. It is more efficient than baseboard heating and usually more efficient than forced-air heating because it eliminates duct losses. Radiant heating has a number of advantages. When radiant heating is located in the floor, it is often called radiant floor heating or simply floor heating. Radiant heating is the effect you feel from the warmth of a hot stovetop element from across the room. The systems depend largely on radiant heat transfer - the delivery of heat directly from the hot surface to the people and objects in the room via infrared radiation. And if something goes wrong, radiant floor heating can be difficult to repair, because you need to get underneath the floor to fix any leaks or electrical problems.Radiant heating systems supply heat directly to the floor or to panels in the wall or ceiling of a house. Although radiant floor cooling does exist, it doesn’t work quite as well because it can make floors feel damp (although this can be solved with a geothermal heat pump). Downsides of radiant floor heatingĪside from the increased cost of installing radiant floor heating, the biggest con is that unlike a forced-air system, it does not work as a cooling system in the summer. For second and third stories, it may require removing ceilings from some rooms. The tubing is attached from the underside of the subfloor, assuming it can be accessed from a basement. Pros: Heated water is far more efficient than electricity to warm a home, resulting in lower energy bills.Ĭons: The easiest way to install hydronic radiant heat flooring is as part of a new build as a retrofit, it can be difficult. If you aren’t already tearing up the flooring for a remodel, installation becomes more complicated (and expensive). You also need a big enough water heater or boiler to handle the added load, plus thermostats compatible with floor sensors. In this method, tubes of water heated by your water heater or boiler run below the floor.Ĭost: Kits cost $6 to $12 per square foot (including installation costs). Hydronic radiant floor heating is the way to go if you’re looking for a whole-house heating option. Hydronic radiant floor heatingĬlaim your home to stay up-to-date of your home‘s value and equity. Pros: It’s easy to install. If you are already doing a bathroom or kitchen renovation and have the floors open, this would be a relatively affordable luxury.Ĭons: Because electricity is expensive, this kind of heated flooring is best for small spaces like bathrooms, rather than a whole-house heating system. Electric radiant floor heating is the kind that comes in mats of electric cables that are installed below your flooring of choice.Ĭost: DIY mat kits at hardware stores and from online vendors run $5 to $11 per square foot (including installation costs). There are two main types of radiant floor heating systems: electric and hydronic. So how exactly does radiant floor heating work, and how easily can it be incorporated into a home? Here’s a rundown of what to expect. Since the water needs to be heated only to 100 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s easy to use solar energy directly-that could conceivably drop your heating bill to zero when the sun is shining. Another nice thing about radiant floor heating is how well it interfaces with solar panels.
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