- HYDRONIC RADIANT FLOOR HEATING COST TO OPERATE INSTALL
- HYDRONIC RADIANT FLOOR HEATING COST TO OPERATE UPGRADE
- HYDRONIC RADIANT FLOOR HEATING COST TO OPERATE PRO
Natural stone, ceramic or porcelain tile, and concrete are fine, but consult the flooring manufacturer and your heating pro before using with hardwood, laminate, vinyl, linoleum, or carpet. Due to their thickness and the temperatures they can reach, radiant floor heating systems may not be compatible with some types of flooring materials. Another option is installing radiant wall panels. Otherwise, you may prefer electric floor heating, as some types can be located on top of existing floors.
HYDRONIC RADIANT FLOOR HEATING COST TO OPERATE UPGRADE
Not a problem if you’re already planning an upgrade that includes flooring replacement or you’re about to build a new home. Radiant floor heating can be complicated and pricey to install, especially the hydronic type.
This means an additional savings in your electricity bill. Because radiant heat does not change the air moisture content in the home (as forced air systems do), humidifiers are no longer necessary to maintain a comfortable living space. ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) reports that a home with a radiant floor heat system can have the thermostat set 6 to 8 degrees cooler than a typical convection- or forced-air-heated home without loss of comfort. Also, radiant heating is a more effective way to heat a person, so you’ll be able to lower the thermostat and still feel warmer. This is especially true of hydronic radiant floors. Because no air blows around your house from the heating system and ducts blowing, air quality improves as dust, pollen, and mold are reduced – good news for allergy and asthma sufferers. As a result, it may be warrantied for as long as 30 years. The absence of moving parts means you won’t experience mechanical failure with radiant floor heating. Popular energy-saving devices such as programmable thermostats are easy to integrate with the system. You can choose to heat your whole home or an individual room, as you please.
Radiant floor heat is more efficient than forced air because no energy is lost through the ductwork. Radiant floors give off a desirable, luxurious kind of heat - quiet, even, and comfortable, with no noisy equipment or “cold spots” in the room. However, because air can’t hold a great deal of heat, they’re not commonly installed for residential purposes. They can be used in conjunction with solar air systems. Radiant: Radiant air floors, the least common, circulate hot air as the heating method.Electric (“dry system”): Radiant floors warmed with electric coils are simpler in terms of installation, although they are more expensive to operate.
HYDRONIC RADIANT FLOOR HEATING COST TO OPERATE INSTALL
The most popular radiant floor type, they are costly to install but more cost-effective to run.