The trend toward heated floors in both residential and commercial installations continues a steady rise. In the United States and Europe, the market is increasing by about 5% per year. These systems offer reduced energy consumption and lower operating costs while providing dependable, uniform heating.
The most common installation of heated floors is a hydronic system. A network of tubing is installed beneath the flooring or, in new-home construction, embedded in the concrete slab. The tubing circulates water at temperatures between 100 and 120 degrees. Warmth emitted from the floor naturally rises, gradually warming the room above. Radiant heating can be installed under a variety of flooring types, including engineered laminate wood, most types of tile, and even carpeting.
Like most home-heating options, heated floors come with both pros and cons. Here are some examples of the positives and negatives.
Pros
- Conventional forced-air heat rapidly rises and accumulates at the ceiling. Radiant warmth rising from heated floors warms persons at the lower level of the room and fills the entire living space with even, consistent heat, eliminating cold spots.
- Forced air blowing into rooms continuously stirs up dust and other particulates, impacting indoor air quality and potentially triggering allergic reactions. Also, the roar of forced air as the furnace blower cycles on and off can be distracting. Heated floors reduce airborne particulates and maintain a quieter indoor environment.
- Heat conveyed by hot water is inherently more efficient than hot air. Forced air loses considerable heat energy as it is travels through system ductwork. Radiant heat floors are at least 15% more efficient than heated water and is subject to less heat loss.
Cons
- Installation of heated floors in an existing house is a substantial project and more expensive than installing a forced-air heating system. Usually, the preferred option is to install at the time of original construction or during interior remodeling.
- If defects such as leaks should occur in the heated floor’s tubing grid, needed repairs can be disruptive and costly.
Get more information about the pluses and minuses of heated floors from the experts at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area