**This is one of over 15 articles I wrote for Resnet.us, a provider of home energy solutions.**
Long popular in European homes, radiant heat flooring has only recently caught on with the American market, yet is becoming increasingly popular in new home construction.
Homeowners looking to increase their energy efficiency and decrease their reliance on heating methods dependent upon fossil fuels can achieve a more comfortable heating system and expect considerable savings by moving to radiant heat flooring, in some cases up to 40% in colder climates.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers reports that homes with radiant flooring receive the same amount of heat as convectional heating with the thermostat set to an average of 6-8 degrees lower. Most new super 98% hot water boilers are efficient only at low temperatures, so this leads to a substantial drop in energy costs.
Unlike traditional forced air heating methods, radiant heating does not require humidification as it does not change the moisture levels in the home. Thus, you no longer need a humidifier, nor the electrical costs it incurs.
There are three methods of radiant heat flooring:
• Radiant Air floors – whereby warm air is circulated through pipes below the floor.
• Electric Radiant floors – achieved via the installation of electric coils, usually above existing flooring with a covering layer of hardwood flooring.
• Hydronic Radiant floors – hot water is carried through pipes via a boiler
Hydronic flooring comprises the majority of radiant home flooring in the United States and can be installed in existing homes either via plates or tubes that are stapled to the sub-floor and then covered with a layer of installation, or, the entire floor is replaced with a new flooring level featuring pre-installed aluminum tubing and hardwood floors above.
The drawbacks of radiant flooring are as follows:
• New super efficient hot water boilers can be very expensive
• If your home has carpeting, this will have to be replaced for hardwood floors
• It takes longer for your home to warm
In older homes, many people are turning to a combination of convectional heating, for fast acting heat and electric radiant coils for a slower, longer lasting heat.
Radiant heat works very well when combined with solar power solutions.
While radiant home flooring can be expensive to install, it can provide savings on energy costs and give a more natural warmth. Determining if the energy savings will outweigh the installation costs requires examination of your prior heating bills and a consultation with a certified professional.
Due to the complexity of installing radiant home flooring it is advised to use a Resnet.us certified floor technician to make the conversion to natural heat.
