How Radiant Floor Heating Works ?

 

When it comes to heating your home, you have a lot of different options, including traditional furnace heaters, solar powered heating, radiant heating and more. There are several factors you should consider when deciding on a heating system.These include comfort, energy efficiency and cost, to name a few. When these factors are taken into account, you’ll find radiant heating is one of the best options there is.

Humans have understood and employed the principle of radiant heat for thousands of years. The Romans used an early form of radiant heat in public buildings as early as the 1st century B.C., though their approach (known as hypocaust) was prohibitively costly for private property owners.
Radiant heating systems typically combine a central boiler, water heater or heat pump water heater with piping, to transport steam or hot water into the living area. Heating is delivered to the rooms in the home via radiators or radiant floor systems, such as radiant slabs or underfloor piping.Radiant heating systems are most effective as indoor heat sources, either in a localized area (such as a bathroom) or an entire dwelling. However, some businesses (often restaurants or entertainment venues) and upscale homes use radiant heat to warm patios and other outdoor spaces.

There are two main types of radiant heating systems :-

1.Hydronic and 

2.Electric.

Hydronic radiant heating makes use of hot water tubes that run below the home’s floors.Electric radiant heating uses electric wires.There are some key differences between the two. While electric radiant heating systems are easy and affordable to install, they are more expensive to operate. This makes them more suitable for smaller areas, such as bathrooms. Hydronic radiant heating, on the other hand, is more expensive and more difficult to install, but won’t cost as much to operate in the long run – making it a good option for larger spaces.

Advantages of radiant heating systems include :-

1. Quieter operation than heating systems that use forced-air blowers.
2. Increased personal comfort at lower air temperatures. The higher radiant temperatures of the radiators or floors allow people to feel warmer at lower air temperatures. Some homeowners, with radiant heating systems, report being comfortable at room air temperatures of 60°F.
3. Better zoning of heat delivered to each room.
4. Increased comfort from the heat. Many homeowners, with radiant heating systems, find that the heating is more comfortable.

Disadvantages of radiant heating systems include:-

1. Higher installation costs. Radiant systems typically cost 40% to 60% more to install than comparable forced-air heating systems.
2. No provision for cooling the home. The cost of a radiant heating system, combined with central cooling, would be difficult to justify economically. Some designers of two-story homes have specified radiant heating systems on the bottom floor and forced-air heating and cooling on the second floor.
3. No filtering of the air. Since the air is not cycled between the system and the house, there is no filtering of the air.
4. Difficulty in locating parts. A choice of dealers may be limited.