A Radiant Heating Floor - Should You Consider This Type Of Heating?

Radiant heating floors are perfect for new home construction and remodeling. This is because it requires you to install it underneath the floor. It is also perfect for people who are environmentally conscious or have done the number crunching and figured out that even though they have to redo their floor to install it, it will save them money in the long run.

Radiant heating floors make sense. First of all, most furnaces are simply not efficient. They tend to heat the top half of the room just as much -- if not more -- than the bottom half. Unfortunately, hot air in the top half of the room can easily escape from the home, not to mention that it really isn't doing anyone any good up there. By having the heat come up from the floor you minimize heat loss and maximize effieciency.

How much? Usually at least 2° but as many as 4° can be saved. Imagine how much money you would save each month if you could run your thermostat 4° cooler than you do now? At the very least, you would save 10% off of your heating bill. In some cases people have reported saving as much as 40%!

A radiant heating floor has other benefits as well. For example, they are practically invisible to the naked eye. You won't see any vents protruding from the side of the wall or standing out on the floor. At the same time, you won't see an ugly furnace tucked into a closet or hiding in the basement.

It's not only what you don't see, it's what you don't hear. With radiant heating floors you no longer hear that endless drone of humming that the furnace creates. Nor do you experience the seesaw effect of having your home go from hot to cold and back to hot, etc.

There are some limitations when using radiant heating. For example, they cannot be installed underneath carpet, vinyl and some types of wood. They are generally used under only hard surfaces. This means that if hard surfaces are not comfortable for you, then you may have to consider another option. Or, at the very least, put rugs down or go with laminate.

Usually, radiant heated floors create their heat from either water pipes or electric mats. Of course your own personal choice will depend on the size of your project, and the costs of energy sources in your area.