| If you're looking into getting radiant floor heating, | | | | these are more efficient that electric systems. |
| you already know about some of it's advantages. | | | | These systems can be installed in one of two |
| With in floor radiant heating, you get warm, even, | | | | ways. The traditional "wet" system embeds the |
| luxuriant heat without any unsightly radiators, | | | | tubing into a concrete slab on the floor, which |
| exchangers, vents, or ducts. It's also super quiet, | | | | provides that same benefits as mentioned above |
| so you don't have to think about anything except | | | | with the electric system. |
| for how warm the room feels. Very cool stuff. | | | | A "dry" system places the tubing underneath the |
| So, how do you go about installing this amazing | | | | floor framing. The heat is contained and spread |
| heating? To help you understand what's involved, | | | | evenly by means of a series of reflectors and |
| lets talk about the different types of in floor | | | | diffusers. These systems are great if you don't |
| heating systems available. | | | | have or don't want to deal with a concrete slab, |
| First, we have electric in floor heating. Electric | | | | but they aren't quite as efficient. However, they |
| systems much like an electric blanket that sits | | | | are still a great option if your house dictates it. |
| underneath your floor. These require no central | | | | The big question that comes up is whether you |
| device to provide heat, making them easy to | | | | should do this all yourself, or hire it out to a |
| install anywhere you have electrical wiring. | | | | professional. In the case of an electric system, |
| However, since electricity is expensive, you don't | | | | installation by an intrepid do it yourselfer is more |
| want to be running these things all the time. To | | | | feasible. Hydronic systems, due to their |
| help accomplish this, electric radiant floor heating is | | | | complications, are not an ideal do it yourself |
| best installed over a concrete slab, which will | | | | project. You will likely want to seek professional |
| absorb the heat while the system is turned on, | | | | help here. |
| and release it gradually as time goes on. This | | | | This should all help give you some idea of what it |
| works great if you get discounted electricity | | | | takes to install a radiant floor heating system. |
| during non-peak hours, since you can run the floor | | | | There are many options and configurations |
| during those times, and enjoy the radiated heat | | | | available, so be sure to shop around. Ideally, you |
| throughout the day. If you can't install on a slab, | | | | should get professional radiant floor heating |
| though, you won't get to enjoy this benefit. | | | | installation so that you can ensure that your |
| If this is your situation, try hydronic radiant floor | | | | system runs well and is up to code. However, the |
| heating. Here, a central boiler heats and pumps | | | | choice is up to you. Either way, you're sure to |
| water through a network of pipes that run | | | | enjoy the warmth from your new in floor radiant |
| underneath the floor. Since water holds heat, | | | | heating system! |