Advantages of Radiant Heat Flooring
See Rehau video explaining Radiant Heat Flooring (45MB)Radiant heat flooring has been used for centuries. The Romans channeled hot air under the floors of their villas. The Koreans channeled hot flue gases under their floors before venting them up the chimney. In the 1930s, architect Frank Lloyd Wright piped hot water through the floors of many of his buildings. Some home builders' surveys have shown that, if given a choice, most new home owners prefer radiant floor heat over other types of systems.
Most people who own radiant heat flooring feel that the most important advantages are comfort and quiet operation. Radiant heat flooring systems allow even heating throughout the whole floor, not just in localized spots. The room heats from the bottom up, warming the feet and body first. Radiant heat flooring also eliminates the draft and dust problems associated with forced-air heating systems.
Even heat distribution may result in lower heating bills. With radiant heat flooring, you may be able to set the thermostat several degrees lower, relative to other types of central heating systems. This is because the entire surface of the floor radiates about the same amount of heat that the human body does, making the occupant feel warm even though the air temperature might be only 65ºF (18ºC). It also radiates this heat for a long period of time.
Radiant systems may result in less infiltration of outside air into the house compared to houses with forced-air heating. Radiant heat flooring proponents claim that fuel savings of 15% to 20% over forced air systems are possible. However, recent reports suggest that this may not be the case, since occupants may not be comfortable with a "low" thermostat setting and thus not set it lower.
Radiant heat flooring also allows for lower boiler temperatures, which may result in the boiler lasting longer (a 45 year life is not unusual). Radiant heat floors operate between 85-140ºF (29-60ºC), compared to other hydronic heating systems' range of 130-160ºF (54-71ºC).
To some, the greatest advantage of radiant heat flooring is aesthetic. The system is "invisible." There are no heat registers or radiators to obstruct furniture arrangements and interior design plans. Radiant heat flooring systems also eliminate the fan noise of forced hot air systems.
Hydronic (liquid) systems are the most popular and cost-effective systems for heating-dominated climates. They have been in extensive use in Europe for decades. Hydronic radiant heat flooring systems pump heated water from a boiler through tubing laid in a pattern underneath the floor. The temperature in each room is controlled by regulating the flow of hot water through each tubing loop. This is done by a system of zoning valves or pumps and thermostats.
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