The Benefits of Radiant Heating in Your Home

Since saving energy is one of the main goals of home designers, energy efficient heating is in high demand. One of the latest technologies emerging onto the market right now is radiant heating. Though it is still new, radiant heating brings many significant benefits to home energy usage.

Radiant heat describes the transfer of heat from a hot surface using infrared radiation. Radiant heating systems heat homes through floor installations or through panels in the walls or ceiling.

Floor radiant heating is quite different from radiant wall heat and radiant ceiling heat. Because heat naturally rises, the warmth from the floor circulates through the room evenly. The three main types of floor radiant heating are air-heated, electric, and hydronic, all with different pros and cons.

Air heated radiant floors pump hot air from a furnace or heat pump through a tubing system in the floor. Although, for residential installations, air-heated radiant floors are not the most efficient. Air cannot hold large amounts of heat, so the system has to pump significant amounts of air to compensate for heat losses. This makes air-heated radiant systems less cost-effective compared to alternative heating methods.

Electric radiant floors have electric heating cables built into the foundation. They are most often used in rooms or home additions where it is impractical to extend the existing heating system. Electric radiant floors are great for providing individually controlled heat to a room.

Because of the relatively high cost of electricity, electric radiant floors are only effective if used seldomly. To allow for this, contractors will typically install a large thermal mass, such as a concrete slab, under the floor that can store heat. The electric system heats the thermal mass, and from there, the heat stored can last for eight to ten hours. This way, the electricity only needs to run for as long as it takes to heat the thermal foundation.

Hydronic, or liquid, radiant heating systems are the most popular type of radiant heating because of their cost-effectiveness. PEX tubing lays in a pattern underneath the floor, then a gas or electric water heater pumps hot water through the tubes.

Hydronic radiant systems use little electricity for producing heat and are great options for both commercial and residential applications. Of all the different types, hydronic radiant floor heating is what contractors recommend and choose the most.

Whether you’re starting fresh or retrofitting, installing a radiant floor heating system can be daunting. However, contractors have figured out a few different nondisruptive and cost-efficient installation methods.

“Wet” floor installations embed the tubes or electric cables into a concrete foundation slab. This type of installation is best for ground-floor radiant heating. Upper floors need extra reinforcement to support the weight of thick slab radiant heating. Concrete slabs are the best thermal storers for radiant heating.

“Dry” floor installations, on the other hand, run the tubes in an air space beneath the finished floor. Dry installations are more common because they are faster and less expensive to install. However, the radiant system will need to run at a higher temperature to heat the air space.

Carpeted floors are not ideal for radiant heating. Carpets are essentially giant heat blockers, absorbing heat instead of conducting it. If you do want a radiant heating system under carpet flooring, make sure it is a thin, breathable carpet. Solid wood is also not ideal because of the drying and cracking effects the heat can have on it.

Concrete and ceramic tile flooring are the best types of floors because they conduct and store heat well. Vinyl, laminate, and laminated wood can also work, but coverings like rugs will decrease the efficiency of the heating.

Wall and ceiling panels can also conduct radiant heat. The panels usually consist of aluminum and have either an electric or hydronic heat source. They work best in spaces that would benefit from localized or supplemental heat. Radiant heat panels operate well in areas like lofts, basements, and garages where normal heat has trouble circulating.

Radiant heating is more efficient and energy saving than other types of heating. It also avoids the duct losses normally associated with forced air systems. Because radiant heating is ductless, it also can’t transfer allergens or poor outdoor air quality into the home.

Radiant floors and panels also have no effect on room design or furniture placement. Radiant heat transfers through contact, so any furniture that touches the floor will also help radiate the heat in the room.

Despite high installation costs, once you install radiant heating, it can increase energy efficiency by up to 30 percent. Hydronic radiant floors are the most recommended by contractors and energy experts. Hydronic radiant heating has the power to cut energy costs by up to 25 percent.

If you're building a new home or looking to update your heating system, save energy with a radiant heating system.