Your Guide to Floor Heating Systems

Your Guide to Floor Heating Systems

Cost-efficient floor heating systems are one important way of reducing your energy costs--something that has become especially important today with the continued focus on reducing our unquenchable thirst for foreign oil.  And radiant floor heating is especially good for this.

Radiation is the transfer of heat through empty space. This type of system works on the same principal as baseboard heaters, but does it more efficiently, by heating the entire floor. Another advantage is that the heat can be felt directly by the inhabitants while walking around barefoot. Radiant floor heating systems can be divided into three categories depending on the heat carrying medium: radiant air, electric, or hot water. There are also two installation methods: wet or dry.   

Radiant floor heating systems, when used in residential applications, are not very efficient due to the limited heat carrying capacity of air leaving electric and hot water systems. Electric heating systems consist of cables built into the floor or electrical conductive plastic mats that are usually placed between the subfloor and the floor covering. Electric systems are the most efficient when combined with time-of-use rates, allowing the user to heat the concrete floor during off peak hours. If the mass of the floor is large enough, the heat stored in it will keep the house comfortable for up to ten hours. This can save the homeowner a considerable amount of money compared to heating it during the day.

The most popular type of radiant heating is the hot water system, mainly because it is the most efficient. In this type of system, water is heated in a boiler and then circulated through pipes located in the floor. There are many different ways to heat the water with each one having its advantages. The easiest and probably least efficient way is by using electricity. There are also wood fired boilers available, but then you would have to find a wood supply. If you don’t live in an area where wood is plentiful, this could pose a problem. This leaves gas. Most municipalities provide natural gas service, and when it is not available, propane usually is. These systems can be controlled by a thermostat and valves. The valves control the flow of water into the tubes thus controlling the temperature in the room.  Also popular is the under floor electric system.

There are two types of floor systems, wet and dry. When the electric cables or pipes are embedded in a solid floor, it is referred to as a “wet” installation. The most popular way to accomplish this is to embed them directly in the concrete foundation or “slab.” This is the most popular method because of the immense heat capacity of the concrete. The biggest down side of concrete is that it takes a while to heat up initially. When the cables or tubing are run in airspace beneath the floor, it is called a dry system. These systems are gaining in popularity, mainly because they are faster and cheaper to install. One of the downsides to this type of installation is that it has to run at a higher temperature to compensate for the heat loss in the air space.

When it comes time to cover the floor a few considerations must be made. For instance, carpet can be used, but since it is an insulator, it decreases the efficiency of the system. This can be compensated for by running the system at a higher temperature. Most people use tile because it conducts and holds heat well. If hardwood is to be used, then stick to the laminated flooring instead of solid wood. The reason behind this is wood tends to shrink and crack when heated.

Radiant floor heating systems can efficiently heat a home once a few basic decisions have been made. The biggest consideration to make is what style to use. In some parts of the country, one style or installation method may be more efficient than another. Floor coverings are another thing to think of: do you want carpet, or tile, wood or linoleum? In the end it all comes down to the homeowners’ wishes.