Radiant Floor Heating Systems: The Right Choice?
If you have a heating system that works well enough for you, should you consider radiant floor heating systems? They say that change is the only thing that is constant in this world. Some of these changes are good and acceptable, whereas the others have deteriorated in quality and thus do not meet with the expectations. Among the many good changes is the change of our heating systems at homes. These new generation heating systems are extraordinary.
However, the question remains – why go for the new generation heating system when the existing heating system has now served for years with ultimate efficiency?
Radiant floor heating systems are these new generation heating systems with the science of transmission of heat in the form of radiant energy, i.e., these use the method of radiation for heating. The conventional heating systems (fire places and electric coil heaters) use the method of convection for heating the environment.
With the method of convection they heat the air particles surrounding it. The heated air particles make the air expand and the heat energy spreads out to a larger radius, thus letting the heat flow. The problem with this kind of heating system is that it depends on the presence of air and does not heat the environment uniformly.
Radiant heating systems are sometimes called under floor electric systems, since they are installed in floors. However, they can also be installed in walls or even ceilings. These systems do not heat the air directly but actually heats the floor/wall/ceiling. Floor heating systems are often used in homes these days. The heating system is sandwiched between the multiple layer floor boards. These systems are suitable for both concrete floors with wooden panels (wet installations) and simple wooden paneled floors (dry installations).
The floor is kept warm with the heating tubes running below the floor board. The warm floor radiates the heat to the room’s atmosphere and keeps the air and the people warm without heating them directly. Even if the heating system is installed in the walls, the effect is the same.
Radiant heating systems are affordable too. The floor heating system with radiant energy is generally a large area, thus the temperature to be maintained in the heating system is quite low. Hence, the electric power consumed by these heating systems is moderately low. Compared to the floor heating systems, the wall heating systems need to maintain a little more temperature due to lesser surface exposure.
While using Hydronic or liquid based heating systems the electricity consumed is extremely less. The advantage with this kind of system is that it can be heated without using electricity by gas fired or wood fired boilers, solar water heaters and others. Due to these advantages, the Hydronic systems are more popular.
The radiant floor heating systems are electronically controlled and the temperature control is done with the help of thermostats. People who suffer from breathing troubles due to hot air movements can feel comfortable with these new generation radiant heating systems. Heat flow with radiations is very much uniform and comfortable. Whether one is using floor heating or wall heating or radiant ceiling (overhead) panels, the radiant heating systems will serve well and save energy too.
