Electric Radiant Floor Heating Systems Offer More Than Just Warmth
What is Under Floor Heating?
Underfloor radiant heating provides the most comfortable, consistent, even heat available because it keeps warmth near the floor – where you need it the most.
Unlike forced-air heating systems, underfloor heating warms your body and objects, not the air – eliminating inconsistent room temperatures.
Underfloor heating keeps heat near the floor, providing the ultimate in comfortable, consistent room temperatures.
Energy Efficiency
Besides providing very comfortable and uniform heat for your home, under-floor radiant heating does not lose heat as it travels through ductwork to get to the room where you need it most. This means that under-floor heating uses 20 to 60 percent less energy than forced air systems – helping make your home more energy-efficient. Additionally, under-floor heating systems can be set up for zone heating – allowing you to control temperatures room-by-room.
Types of Under Floor Heating
There are three types of underfloor heating systems:
- Low Voltage
- Electric cable
- Hydronic
Healthy Air
Radiant under-floor heating is widely regarded as a healthy and natural healing process. Unlike forced-air heating systems, under-floor heating is clean because it doesn’t circulate dust and allergens because it doesn’t move around the air in your home. This is a huge benefit for individuals with allergies.
The term “heating systems” encompasses a wide variety of possibilities. There is radiant heating, hydronic, electrical, gas, and many other options. One of the most common heating systems used in homes today is an electric heating system. Many people are choosing to install electric heating systems because they are energy-efficient and cost-effective. In addition, most electric heating systems can be managed every month, which makes it convenient for homeowners. The following paragraphs will discuss the installation of electric heating systems, including important considerations, such as flooring, insulation, electrician, etc.
Electrical radiant heating systems heat floors and fabrics with heat generated by electrical conductors. The cables carry the heated air from the heating unit, or radiators, to the rooms that require heating. Radiant floor heating systems generate heat through convective heat. This means that the heated air is distributed throughout the room uniformly, which provides the greatest efficiency.
Proper installation of a radiant-floor heating cable is essential. A good electrician should be chosen to install the heating cable properly. The electrician’s credentials should be verified before signing a contract. If the electrician is not certified by the NADA (National Association of Home Builders), he should not work on your project. Also, make sure that your electrician is licensed to work in your state. Most states require an electrician to have both a state license and NADA certification.
Most radiant floor heating systems install over an existing floor surface. The installation process may include interlocking pavers, poured concrete slabs, etc. Once the concrete slab has been installed, the radiant floor heating system is attached to the pre-existing floor surface using flashing and duct tape. Proper insulation should be used to protect the electrician’s life during the installation process. Insulation, if available, should be checked for proper fit.
Many people choose radiant floor systems because they are economical and easy to install. They are very convenient because they can be installed where there is no foundation or earthwork required. Some people install their heating systems over existing floors to find out later that the floor had structural issues that would make it unsafe. When the floor is damaged by structural problems, removing and replacing the floor completely is necessary.
Ceramic tile flooring is one of the most common types of flooring used in homes. Although tile flooring has many advantages, it is still susceptible to damage under certain circumstances. When a heating system is installed over tile flooring, the system becomes a permanent part of the flooring. Make sure to check your heating installation for structural issues that could lead to moisture damage.
Other types of flooring, such as carpet, have been found to have issues similar to those of ceramic tile floors. As far as early forms of heating go, ducted heating systems were quite popular with homeowners in the early ages. The ducts were placed throughout the rooms, and hot air from the central furnace was sent through open vents. These systems typically required that air is blown through the floors at a very high speed.
Most modern heating systems are either electric or gas. They are either fueled by electricity or gas. Hydronic systems are a newer type of heating system that uses heated water that circulates through pipes. The heated water can either come from a hot water tank or a storage tank.
There are three common types of hydronic systems. The first and oldest is the boiler. A boiler heats water, which is then circulated through pipes. This heating system can create an instant warm feeling in the coldest rooms but is limited because the boiler cannot heat all the rooms at once.
The second type of system is the electric radiant heating systems offer the most flexibility for adjusting the heat level. The electric radiant floor heating systems work on the same principle as the boiler, but it is more efficient. The electric radiant heating systems can heat the entire house at once or only in certain house areas. The third type of heating system is ceramic tile heating systems offer a combination of efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Ceramic tile floor heating costs less than either electric radiant heating systems or the boiler. However, if the system must be changed out because of cracks or other damage, it costs more money because ceramic tile floor heating systems offer fewer hours of operation than any other system.
Another great feature of radiant floor heating systems is that they do not require any special electrical wiring. Any home will be able to have this type of heating system installed. The installation of these types of floor heating systems can take just a few hours from start to finish, depending on how much work is to be done. No matter what your home needs, you should check into a heating system in your area.
