Warming Up To Electric Radiant Floor Heating

2007-05-02 10:04:19

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Radiant floor heating systems take different forms depending on the type of element used in the heating system. Some use hot water or steam pipes to produce in floor radiant heat while electric radiant floor heating uses electric resistance coils to heat not just the floors but walls and ceiling as well.

Electric radiant floor heating systems are less expensive and easier to install compared with radiant heating systems that use hot water or steam pipes. Electric radiant floor heating systems can be used to heat the whole house or particular areas such as bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens. Electric radiant floor heating can be used even for almost all types of flooring including temporary flooring systems.

Electric radiant floor heating systems use cables that are coated with electrical insulation and embedded into the flooring system for heating. The cables can also be woven into fabric mats before embedding into the flooring.

The heating fabric mats are quicker to install than electric cable heating making their installation less expensive. They require less floor thickness and can even be embedded directly into the mortar bed or concrete substrate. The mats can also be placed beneath carpets or flooring pads. Electric heating fabric mats are available in standard sizes although most suppliers also provide customized shapes and sizes.

In terms of heating efficiency however, electric cables placed directly beneath the floor are more energy efficient. The heat from the cables is transferred directly to the floor surface providing faster heating response with no room for energy loss.

Moreover, electric radiant floor heating do not need boilers or water heaters to provide heat energy. An advantage of systems using boilers however, is the flexibility of their fuel source. Boilers allow you to use gas, electricity, oil, and solar power for fuel where as you get limited to one fuel source when using electric floor heating systems.

For smaller areas though, studies show that electric radiant floor heating is more cost efficient than other types of floor heating systems.


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