Radiant Floor Heating: What It Is And Why You Might Like It

If it is time to upgrade your heating, it is a good idea to know all of your options. Radiant floor heating is an innovative way to heat homes. As the name suggests, heat is provided through flooring rather than traditional methods of heating such as boilers and furnaces. Radiant floor heating consists of tubes that are installed underneath the flooring. When the tubes are activated, heat is produced, but the end result goes beyond heated floors. The entire house or specific rooms can be heated. The following points will give you insight into this innovative heating option and why some homeowners love it. 

Allergy Relief

Radiant floor heating does not force air into homes. The heat from this heating option is produced by electric or water-based tubes. There is not a requirement to use ductwork. Forced-air heating systems require ductwork. Air ducts trap dust, and the dust may circulate in homes when the heat is turned on. Dust and other allergens may circulate throughout homes and trigger allergies. 

Easy or No Maintenance

Forced air systems require routine maintenance. Radiant floor heating does not require seasonal servicing. These systems are also easy to operate. Heat is activated with a smart or traditional thermostat similar to traditional heating systems thermostat operation.

Space Saver

Since the heat source is installed beneath floors, it frees up space in homes. There is no external equipment related to the heating system other than the thermostat. You can use the area where a furnace or boiler might have been located as a storage area.

Safe

These systems operate through heated water in tubes or electricity. This means that there fewer risks of carbon monoxide exposure or furnace fires. 

Even Heating

One complaint that some homeowners have regarding traditional heating systems is that some rooms get warmer than other rooms. Whole-house radiant floor heating means that you can depend on having an even temperature. This is because the heat is produced from the flooring instead of circulating through vents.

Easy Installation

It might seem like this type of heating system would be complex to install. However, it is not, and it is compatible with most flooring materials. This means that the average household can take advantage of this option if they choose to without a need to compromise their preferred flooring material.

An HVAC contractor is a good resource to use to learn more about radiant floor heating. They can explain the heating installation process and help you compare this type of heating system to other options that require ductwork and operate off of forced heat.