A lot of people are switching to radiant floor heating systems to warm bathrooms, kitchens, and their entire properties. There are various positive aspects to be had by this approach, some less apparent than others.

When thinking about whether installing one of these systems would be suitable for you, the first major factor to consider is the installation side. Because the entire heating element is placed under the floor, it must be installed in one go, meaning that these systems can be very hard to install in existing properties. So as a result of this, radiant floor heating is growing to be more and more popular in newly built houses, and also extensions of older houses.

The Benefits

The primary benefits of utilizing under floor heating is the even circulation of heat. With houses and apartments that use radiators and forced air heating systems, each room has its heat source in a particular place, and therefore the room will be warmer the nearer you get to that source. With radiant floor heating, the whole floor is the heat source, so that the room is heated evenly, creating a much more desirable atmosphere.

Another large feature which is largely unheard-of is the advantage of floor heating when compared with forced air heating. Forced air systems pass air through a vent, which stirs up dust, allergens, and other airborn mites. With these in the air every time that the heating is on, those people vulnerable could very well favor the reason that under floor heating does not have this effect. Because the floor space is the heating element, air does not have to circulate around the room to distribute the heat, which will keep dust and allergens down, and as a result under control.

Types of Radiant Floor Heating

There are two key varieties of under floor heating, both with their own advantages over each other. These are electric, and hydronic radiant floor heat.

Electric radiant floor heat is used largely for its simplicity of installation, as all it comprises of is a wafer thin pad that is placed beneath your desired floor, meaning that installation can be reached fairly quickly and easily, and as it is fueled by electricity, you can easily install this option in a single room.

Hydronic radiant heating on the other hand consists of pumping hot water underneath the floor, with the pipes set in a special concrete. This means that a lot of work is necessary for installation, and therefore is suitable for new houses, and extensions to existing houses. These pipes are then joined to a water heater, and each room can have separate thermostats. These systems are generally more efficient than electric setups, but the cost and time of installation are issues to consider.