During the winter, it is impossible not to feel the cold even when you are inside the house. This is particularly true if you don’t have proper insulation or an efficient heating system. You may be contemplating getting yourself a new heating system, but that’s not the only way you can moderate the temperatures in your home.
Radiant floor heating is one of the tested-and-tried alternatives that may prove just as effective as traditional heating. This floor heating option creates a uniform temperature within your home. Once the floor is warm, it radiates heat to the entire space and warms every object above the floor. Read on to understand why radiant floor heating is a great option for your home.
Why heated floors are becoming popular
Radiant floor heating promises a number of benefits that you may not want to miss out on. The sheer fact that the heat comes from the floor and directly warms the feat is nothing to sniff at. That means less amount of heat is lost, lowering your monthly energy bills.
The efficiency of floor heating is also unmatched. It not only helps you reduce your high winter bills but also combines with your conventional heating system to distribute the heat more evenly. You may also find it more allergy-friendly as it does not have ducts that can accumulate dust and blow it all over the room. What’s more, you will not have to deal with the noise from drafty vents, radiators and the sound of the furnace turning on and off.
You may understandably be worried about the cost of floor heating. Well, don’t be surprised to find out that it is actually cheaper than wall radiators in the long run. Radiant floor heating requires minimal maintenance and uses way less power than conventional heating. It won’t take long before you start realizing just how much you have been saving in your monthly bills.
As regards aesthetics, it surely can’t get worse than the unsightly radiators hanging from the walls. Radiators can ruin the look of a beautifully decorated room and even take up too much space in a somewhat squeezed room. Floor radiant heating is not only discreet but allows more room on the walls for paintings and furniture.
How radiant floor heating works
Radiant floor heating come in two main varieties: electric panels and hydronic panels. Electrical panels use wires and are preferred for small spaces. They are not only cheaper in the short run but also easier and quicker to install. Hydronic panels, on the other hand, use hot water and are more expensive to install but easier to operate and maintain. They are a recommendable option when heating a large portion of the floor or the entire house.
Both types of floor heating work best with tile or stone floors as wood, linoleum, and plastic can all be damaged by the rapidly fluctuating temperatures. You can, however, still enjoy floor heating on all types of floor materials with the help of a seasoned contractor.