Radiant Home Heating Systems
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Alternative-Heating-Info.com
Radiant Heat - It Starts With The Feet
It's a well known fact, when your feet are warm you feel warmer all over. Because
radiant heat in your home begins at the floor, the air temperature is always highest
at floor level and decreases steadily toward the ceiling.
Clean Moist Air
With radiant heat the moisture content of the room is more stable and healthful.
Unlike hot air heat, radiant heat reduces dust and airborne allergens and is less likely
to dry out your skin and breathing passages.
Energy Efficient
Since the air is not dehumidified, it feels several degrees warmer than it really is. For
each degree lower temperature, you save energy and money.
When radiant electric mats or cables, or the tubing for a hydronic system are set in
mortar or concrete, a thermal mass is created. A thermal mass retains heat like a
warm sidewalk after sunset. Once heated, it requires very little energy to maintain a
stable temperature.
It's common knowledge that hot air systems lose heat through leaks in the ductwork -
as much as 40% in some cases according to experts. Radiant heating eliminates
inefficient ductwork and delivers more heat into your home.
Flexible Installation
In addition to new construction, individual rooms can be retrofitted using precut,
modular floor panels for either electric or hydronic systems. Also available are electric
radiant heating mats for above or below floor installation, and paintable electric
radiant ceiling panels.
Explore your radiant heating options further with the articles described below.
It's a well known fact, when your feet are warm you feel warmer all over. Because
radiant heat in your home begins at the floor, the air temperature is always highest
at floor level and decreases steadily toward the ceiling.
Clean Moist Air
With radiant heat the moisture content of the room is more stable and healthful.
Unlike hot air heat, radiant heat reduces dust and airborne allergens and is less likely
to dry out your skin and breathing passages.
Energy Efficient
Since the air is not dehumidified, it feels several degrees warmer than it really is. For
each degree lower temperature, you save energy and money.
When radiant electric mats or cables, or the tubing for a hydronic system are set in
mortar or concrete, a thermal mass is created. A thermal mass retains heat like a
warm sidewalk after sunset. Once heated, it requires very little energy to maintain a
stable temperature.
It's common knowledge that hot air systems lose heat through leaks in the ductwork -
as much as 40% in some cases according to experts. Radiant heating eliminates
inefficient ductwork and delivers more heat into your home.
Flexible Installation
In addition to new construction, individual rooms can be retrofitted using precut,
modular floor panels for either electric or hydronic systems. Also available are electric
radiant heating mats for above or below floor installation, and paintable electric
radiant ceiling panels.
Explore your radiant heating options further with the articles described below.
Types of Radiant Floor Heat
There are three types of radiant floor heat: Radiant air floors (air is the heat-carrying
medium); electric radiant floors; and hot water (hydronic) radiant floors.
Hydronic (fluid based) Radiant Heating Systems
Radiant Hydronic and Electric Floor Installations
Whether cables or tubing, the methods of in-floor installation for electric and hydronic
radiant systems is similar.
Radiant Panel Baseboard Heating
The old fashioned rust prone baseboard heaters of bygone days have been replaced
with décor friendly panels less than 1” wide that closely resemble the look of
traditional baseboard trim.
Best High Efficiency Condensing Boilers
Top 5 picks for condensing boilers with heating contractor comments.
Modular Infloor Hydronic Systems
The same labor that would ordinarily install just a subfloor, installs a high performance
modular radiant system, saving you time and labor from the very beginning.
WarmBoard and InFloorBoard systems are discussed.
Between the Joists Staple-Up Hydronic Systems
There are a few common under-floor installation methods: staple-up with heat transfer
plates, staple-up without heat transfer plates, and hanging tubing in the joist space.
Tricks of the Trade for Between the Joists Hydronic Tube Installation
Solar Hydronic Radiant Heating Systems
Solar flat plate or evacuated tube collectors are a cost effective way to heat the water
for hydronic floor heating systems and domestic hot water.
Radiant Electric Floor Heating
Electric Radiant Floor Heat
Electric floor heat can take the shape of free form cables or pre-sized mats for either
whole house heat or retrofitted to provide spot comfort in kitchens and baths.
Retrofit Electric Radiant Floor Heat
Retrofit electric radiant floor heat is a cost effective method for supplementing or
replacing your current heating system in areas of 300 square feet or less.
Tile Over Tile: Radiant Bathroom Floor Heating
Tile over tile is an easy way to avoid the mess associated with tearing up the old floor,
but requires thorough planning.
Radiant Ceiling Heat Panels and Attic Barriers
Radiant Ceiling Heat Panels
The ultimate in zoned heating. Heat only the room(s) you're using.
Radiant Attic Barrier
With a radiant barrier installed on the attic floor, the heat radiated from the roof is
reflected back up, keeping the insulation and your home below cool.
There are three types of radiant floor heat: Radiant air floors (air is the heat-carrying
medium); electric radiant floors; and hot water (hydronic) radiant floors.
Hydronic (fluid based) Radiant Heating Systems
Radiant Hydronic and Electric Floor Installations
Whether cables or tubing, the methods of in-floor installation for electric and hydronic
radiant systems is similar.
Radiant Panel Baseboard Heating
The old fashioned rust prone baseboard heaters of bygone days have been replaced
with décor friendly panels less than 1” wide that closely resemble the look of
traditional baseboard trim.
Best High Efficiency Condensing Boilers
Top 5 picks for condensing boilers with heating contractor comments.
Modular Infloor Hydronic Systems
The same labor that would ordinarily install just a subfloor, installs a high performance
modular radiant system, saving you time and labor from the very beginning.
WarmBoard and InFloorBoard systems are discussed.
Between the Joists Staple-Up Hydronic Systems
There are a few common under-floor installation methods: staple-up with heat transfer
plates, staple-up without heat transfer plates, and hanging tubing in the joist space.
Tricks of the Trade for Between the Joists Hydronic Tube Installation
Solar Hydronic Radiant Heating Systems
Solar flat plate or evacuated tube collectors are a cost effective way to heat the water
for hydronic floor heating systems and domestic hot water.
Radiant Electric Floor Heating
Electric Radiant Floor Heat
Electric floor heat can take the shape of free form cables or pre-sized mats for either
whole house heat or retrofitted to provide spot comfort in kitchens and baths.
Retrofit Electric Radiant Floor Heat
Retrofit electric radiant floor heat is a cost effective method for supplementing or
replacing your current heating system in areas of 300 square feet or less.
Tile Over Tile: Radiant Bathroom Floor Heating
Tile over tile is an easy way to avoid the mess associated with tearing up the old floor,
but requires thorough planning.
Radiant Ceiling Heat Panels and Attic Barriers
Radiant Ceiling Heat Panels
The ultimate in zoned heating. Heat only the room(s) you're using.
Radiant Attic Barrier
With a radiant barrier installed on the attic floor, the heat radiated from the roof is
reflected back up, keeping the insulation and your home below cool.