Radiant Floor Heating Guide

Radiant floor heating cost is, in general, 15 to 40 percent more expensive initially than forced air systems, due to more difficulty in installation. However, in the long run, the radiant floor heating cost should be more efficient and cost saving because once installed, it should last two to three times longer than traditional forced air heating systems, and have less maintenance involved. Common costs today range from about $6 to $12 per square foot.

Radiant floor heating cost is also affected by the room or house conditions. These would include: size, number of separate zoned areas required, insulation, windows, if a water heater can be used or a boiler is needed, and whether the system is going into a new or older house. Another variable would be the cost of materials used, such as copper tubing or plastic based tubing. As always, working in a remote area will cost more, and labor costs are yet another cost to consider when installing any system.

Costs are lower because you can set your thermostat a few degrees lower. Heat rises, and the radiant floor heating systems put out heat where it is most needed, at floor level, so it is concentrated lower where it is more useful. There is no need for filters, and maintenance is minimal. There are no ducts to clean, as the copper tubing is sunk into the concrete floors.

Radiant heating dates back to the ancient Romans, who channeled hot air and hot water under the floors of their homes. In Korea, hot flue gases were used the same way before being channeled out of the home. Famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright used hot water in the floors of some of his homes for heating in the 1930‘s. Today, it is a popular option for new home builders. Systems can use air, electric or hot water for the heat source. Since air does not conduct heat efficiently, and electric costs can be higher, the hydronic (hot water) system is the preferred choice.

Comfort and quietness of operation are two advantages. The heat is distributed evenly throughout an area instead of settling in one area of heat flow, or rising to the ceiling too quickly. Some feel radiant systems are more pleasing aesthetically because there are no radiators or vents, and no fan noises. The radiant floor system’s relatively cool water temperatures allow new, high efficient boilers to run at their peak efficiency with water temperature ranges of 85 to 140 degrees. In some cases as high as 98% efficiency can be achieved.

Almost any floor covering can be used, however, remember that thick padding will reduce heat flow and increase costs. New technology in tubing address old problems of corrosion and leakage. Floors can also be used with a chiller to produce cooling effects. Installation into an existing home can be expensive if the floors need major work to install the tubing systems. Consider all variables on paper to calculate the real costs of radiant floor heating.

You might have heard of radiant floor heating before, but are wondering what all the fuss is about.  After all, don’t most people do OK with regular forced air systems or traditional radiators?  Why go through all the trouble and expense of getting in floor radiant heat installed?  What are the advantages?

Before we dive into this, lets talk about what radiant floor heating actually is.  Unlike a forced air system, which  heats air in a central furnace and pumps it through the house, in floor radiant heat uses some sort of heating element underneath the floor to provide heat that radiates upwards from the floor.  No air is being moved.

In fact, it is the non-moving air that provides some of the greatest advantages of radiant floor heating.  Heating air then moving it around the houses has several problems.  First of all, it requires ducts, which can get dirty over time.  These dirty ducts are a very common source of allergens.  This can be mitigated somewhat by means of regular duct cleaning, but this is an extra hassle and expense.  Radiant floor heating provides heat without out any added allergens.

Another advantage of these system is the evenness of the heat.  By their nature, forced air systems are intermittent, which means that they turn on and off constantly in order to provide heat for the room.  This leads to uneven heat throughout the room.  What’s worse, the heat only comes out of a small duct located in one part of the room, which leads to hot and cold spots in the room. Anyone who has lived in a house with one of these systems can tell you what I’m talking about.

Radiant floor heating solves this problem by providing heat all through the room.  Since the entire floor is radiated, there is no part of the room that isn’t warm.  This provides a startling luxurious, even heat that makes being indoors in the cold months a pleasure.  These systems are often quiet, and, if installed in the right way, quite energy efficient.

If anyone of this sounds interesting to you, be sure to learn more about these radiant in floor heating systems.  They’re not easy to install, nor are they inexpensive, but if you’re building an addition, a new house, or simply want to upgrade to a better way of heating, give these radiant systems a good hard look.

In the beginning, it wasn’t all about forced air heating systems. Instead, there was radiant floor heating, a system that is in many ways superior. In this article, we’ll discuss how radiant heating systems differ from regular heating systems, and that the advantages are to choosing one system over the other.

First, a word on regular forced air heating systems. This is what most people have in their house these days. These systems utilize a central heating system to heat up air and pipe it through your house using a system of ducts. This system works well much of the time, and is popular for a reason. You can get heating and cooling through the same set of ducts, and enjoy comfortable temperatures year round.

However, forced air systems have some downsides. Because the heat isn’t constant (the furnace turns on and off), you don’t always get continuous heat. Also, since the ducts in a room are only at certain spots, the heat doesn’t spread through the room extremely well, leading to uneven heating in the room. This leads to the ever dreaded “cold spots” in the room.

To help solve this problem, radiant floor heating takes a completely different approach. Rather than pumping heated air into a room, radiant heating “radiates” heat upwards from the floor, leading to comforting, even heat. This is accomplished by means of pipes full of hot water or some sort of electrical system installed underneath the flooring. For cooling, a traditional forced air duct system is used.

Radiant floor heating is considered rather luxurious for several reasons. Since the floor itself is being heated, it is a joy walking around in socks, or barefoot. The heat rises up from the floor, blanketing the room in warmth. Since the heat is coming from under every part of the room, there are few cold spots. A great system, to be sure.

The biggest downside of these systems is cost. If you’re building a new house, it isn’t too hard to get one of these systems installed, but if you’re remodeling, the effort can be very serious. This is one area where hiring a professional installer will really, really save you a lot of headache. Still, if you’re looking for the ultimate in heating systems, look no further than a radiant floor system.

If any of this interests you, be sure to read around the site to found out more. Choosing to install a radiant heating system isn’t a small decision, so be sure to consult with some qualified professionals beforehand. You will be glad you did.