#Electric radiant floor heating install#

#Electric radiant floor heating install#

No mater the type of radiant heating system you use, any in-floor radiant heat system may be difficult to install after your home is built.

Floor fasteners may damage the radiant heating wires during construction.

More extensive systems usually use 240v circuits.

Typically requires a dedicated electrical circuit(s).Electricity costs may be relatively expensive, especially during peak times.No noise (some low voltage systems use transformers that create noise).Р”В®lectric ResistanceР’В Radiant Heating SystemР’В Heating Disadvantages: Install is less complicated РІР‚вЂњ does not require hydronic plumbing, boiler, gas lines, exhaust, pumps, etc.Some maintenance is needed РІР‚вЂњ flushing, anti-freeze in some climates, etc.Р”В®lectric ResistanceР’В Radiant Heating SystemР’В Heating Advantages:.More complicated install, requires boiler, pumps.In-floor water tubing is inaccessible if it leaks.Water-based (hydronic)Р’В Radiant Heating SystemР’В Disadvantages: A single boiler may power multiple floors as well as domestic hot water.Natural gas-fueled boilers may be less expensive to run compared with electrical systems.Each system has pros and cons: Water-based (hydronic) Radiant Heating System Advantages: Radiant heat systems typically use either warmed water (hydronic systems) or electrical resistance heat (electrical systems) as a heat source. Forced air allows cooling and dehumidification in addition to heating.It may not be ideal under solid wood flooring (rapid expansion/contraction).Relatively expensive installation costs (especially hydronic) complicates floor install.Water systems (hydronic) may leak or freeze.Generally not for cooling or dehumidification.It can be relatively easy to install if building or with floor renovation.No risk of contact burns (radiators, stoves).Little air movement, less potential for allergen movement, and improved air quality.ceilings for forced air systems (warm air rises). Efficient heat distribution closer to floor vs.Even gradual heat with pleasant warm floors.Very low or no maintenance systems РІР‚вЂњ especially for electrical systems.More efficient than traditional baseboard, radiator, forced air, space heater, stove heating systems.Radiant Heat Advantages and Disadvantages Compared to Traditional Heating: Radiant heat has advantages compared to traditional heating systems and some disadvantages. Radiant in-floor heating systems heat the sub-flooring and slabs providing heat to the living areas by thermal transfer from the flooring to surrounding structures and space. These two recent installs are the focus of this article.Р”В«ut first, a bit more about in-floor radiant heating systems. Under the tile, we installed electric radiant in-floor heat using radiant heat cable installed in a channeled decoupling membrane. This summer, I tackled our sunroom, installing all new windows, doors, and floor tile. Last fall, I added the new entry mudroom to our cabin, adding electrical radiant heat mats under the tile install. This is one of the main reasons I added in-floor radiant electric heat to my two newest projects РІР‚вЂњ a small entry mudroom addition and a remodeled attached sunroom. Rooms like additions, mudrooms, porches, sunrooms and garages may be great candidates for in-floor electric radiant heating, especially if adding HVAC ducting or plumbing would be difficult. Electric in-floor heating cable systems are also reasonably priced and essentially maintenance free.Р”В®lectric in-floor heat also solves the problem of adding heat to add-on rooms that would be hard to connect to an existing HVAC system. Both of my recent installs used electric radiant heat.Р”В®lectric radiant heating systems are relatively DIY floor-reno friendly and are easy to add to floor re-builds or new construction. Water radiant heat is cheaper to run but requires the complexity of plumbing and boilers. Electric radiant heat is more expensive to run, but easier to install. Radiant heating is generally available as electric or water (hydronic) based systems. This article walks through my installation of electric radiant in-floor heat in our recently remodeled sunroom and entry mudroom. Radiant in-floor heat provides some of the most comfortable and targeted heating for living spaces when installed and operated correctly.

Waking up to warm floors on a cool day is hard to beat. Radiant in-floor heat systems are fantastic.