Your Guide to Radiant Floor Heating: The Pros and Cons

2. How Does Radiant Floor Heating Work?

Total Comfort Macon

So that in place of a fan that distributes warm air, the radiant floor system uses the natural movement of heat that passes directly into the room from the platform in the floor.  Similar to the warm sunlight in the winter the entire floor is engaged as a heating device and once reaching the range of 70-72 degrees warms the whole space with an even distribution according to the thermostat signals.  Now you have a consistently comfortable space with no moving parts to cause concern and no noise to hear.  One of the best features of this system is its maintenance-free configuration.  Being entirely enclosed in the floor keeps it in pristine condition to last indefinitely.  You set the desired performance.

The two types of heated flooring systems are electric radiant heated floors and hydronic heated floor:

1. Electric radiant heat is provided by electric under-floor heating cables.
2. Hydronic radiant floor heating system, with the help of a boiler, generates hot water, then pumps it through plastic PEX tubing installed underneath the surface to be heated.

Both systems rely on a proper design that produces  an even heat  and set  at the best temperature for the space.

Both systems consist of a continuous series of tubing under the floor  and administered by a thermostat that responds to sensors.  This system is what promotes a consistent environment with floors maintaining the best temperature for your family’s comfort. Which one is best for your project? It depends  on who is performing the installation.

3. What are the Pros of Radiant Floor Heating?

The main benefit of radiant floor heating is the accuracy of its affect–an even temperature throughout the space that, once set to your comfort, needs no adjustment during the cold season.  The space is just as warm at head height as it is at your feet.  No adjusting the thermostat or vents to accommodate the occupants or respond to weather conditions.  You’re able to maintain a consistant power bill as well and before you know it, the system will have paid for itself with money saved.  Best of all, no worries about system repairs or replacement.  With no moving parts, the system remains completely in tact at all times.

4. What are the Cons of Radiant Floor Heating?

Innovative Building Materials

Home owners need to be prepared to replace the floors in their existing home which is a considerable expense and often a deal breaker.  Unless the floor can be accessed from underneath between floor joists, there are no other options.  However, if you’re building a new home, or have plans to replace the floors in a remodeling project, happy day!  Easily installed before final floor covering is put down.

Cable vs. Mat Installation

There has been some discussion regarding the preferred way to install the radiant cable.

To give home owners an idea of the discussion we are providing the following information to increase your knowledge toward a good decision when the opportunity arises to purchase one or the other.

The main contrast between a cable and mat radiant system is the way the cable is handled in each case.

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, who doesn’t mind devoting one Saturday to keep $200 in your bank account (about the difference between 200 sq. ft. of cable vs. mat) then choose cable. However, if you’re a general contractor who needs the crew in, out, and on to the next hot project sooner rather than later. Finally, if you’re an independent tradesman a lot rides on how well you plan your days, but all three are decisions based on the choice of a version of this brilliant device for heating your rooms with the most efficient heating system on the planet.

In the cable system, the cable is loose and can be designed in several different ways.  Whereas the mat system is pre-designed on a surface to be cut in sections and then applied.  You might agree that the mat system will take less time as you can cut and fit sections within an area more quickly than taking the time to design a loose cable system.  Particularly in a room that contains 200 square feet or so.  So does it always work out that the mat version saves time?  When you consider a smaller room, such as a 40 square foot bathroom and you have a different challenge that seems easily handled with the loose cable system that can be manipulated around objects in the room whereas a mat would be difficult.  Time saved under these circumstances.   Trying to fit a mat around the commode or out into the room to fit up to the shower or around a tub on a curved plantoform would require some special skills if you were to choose a mat installation.  Wise to look at the room and decide which configuration is best suited, paying attention to size and shapes when making the decision.

Not the least of which is cost when considering which system you want to choose.  With less material involved it’s natural that the loose cable would cost less than the mat embedded version.  The bigger the space the more you save with the cable.  But there is a compensation when it comes to a larger room if you decide the use the mat version.  It will take far less time to install, so with that in mind, you will be making the choice based on how valuable you think your time is.

At the end of the day, if you are an avid DIY person who can devote a week-end to save $200 (plus or minus the difference between 200 sq. ft of cable vs. mat, you might choose the cable.  Were you a general contractor with several crews to move between jobs, you will most certainly choose the mat version.  Whereas an independent tradesman will make a more fine-tuned decision.  How much is the home owner committed to saving money?  Or how much time do you feel you can devote to a little one-room project?

5. Who Distributes Electric Radiant Floor Heat?

KAN Group