What is radiant floor heat?
What is radiant floor heat. Quite simply, concrete floor radiant heat is a system of pex-tubes that carry hot water or an electrical heating element embedded into a concrete floor or slab. When the thermal mass of the concrete is heated, the warm slab acts as a radiator distributing even heat throughout the structure.
What are the benefits of electric radiant floor heaters?
Electric radiant floor systems offer a discreet way of heating a floor. With the right temperature setting, it is difficult to even detect that the radiant heat is operating. The systems can help reduce overall heating costs—your HVAC or space heaters do not have to operate as hard to heat up the room.
How thick should concrete be for radiant heating tubes?
The picture above shows a concrete floor we're about to pour with radiant heating tubes installed. The concrete was 4" thick and the insulation under the slab was 2" thick. The heating contractor laid out the pex tubing according to the "zones" that were established for heating the home. The pex tubes were attached to wire mesh using zip ties.
How does a radiant heating system work?
A radiant heating system transfers heat directly through the walls, floors, or ceiling of a room. The warm air rises through a process called convection, delivering heat to the entire room.
How thick is a floor with underfloor heating?
The minimum screed thickness you should use for warm water underfloor heating systems is: Minimum depth of 65mm for hand-mixed screed. Minimum depth of 50mm for liquid screed.
How thick should radiant heat slab be?
Radiant heat can be used in slabs as thin as 1.5" (such as in cases where it's placed over existing floors). However, for new construction, the slab should be typically at least 4" thick and is dependent upon the soils conditions in your area. The amount of insulation depends on your climate conditions.
How thick is a heated tile floor?
Electric radiant heat is composed of wires that run under the floor. They are very easy and affordable to install, but they are also more expensive to operate. Installation is made even easier with heating mats. These mats have a very low-profile (some are less than 1/8” thick) and are ideal to put under tile.
How thick is hydronic heating?
The standard thickness is 25mm suitable for 16mm hydronic heating pipes and has an R value of 0.89 m2·K/W. Sheets are 2.4 x 0.6m (=1.44m²) for a coverage of 0.70 sheets per m².
Does radiant heat crack concrete?
Once the CTI System has been installed, it is recommended that the radiant heat unit not be used for a minimum of 30 days. This allows the CTI System to cure and so the rapid heating of the concrete caused by the radiant heating doesn't damage the surface.
What can go wrong with radiant floor heating?
There can be some concerns when it comes to radiant floor heating repairs due to the outlets, which can either be electric cable or matting under your floors, or PEX tubing for hydronic (water) systems. The most common problem with in-floor radiant heating is defective wall thermostats.
What are the disadvantages of radiant heating?
Cons of Radiant Floor HeatingInstallation Cost. When estimating the cost of an installation, a safe cost estimation bracket is between $10 to $20 per square foot dependant on the type of system you choose for your home. ... Installation Time. ... Floor Height Issue.
How much height does radiant floor heat add?
Changes the Floor Height The electric wire or hot water tubes, as well as any insulation boards or underlayment, will increase the floor height anywhere from one-eighth of an inch to an inch. This can make a space feel smaller and impact many design ideas you might have.
Do heated floors use a lot of electricity?
Heated Floor Electricity Specifics Most heated tile floors and electric floor heating systems use 12 watts per hour per square foot, meaning a 100-square-foot room would use 1200 watts in total every hour (potentially up to 300 watts less than the average space heater).
Are heated concrete floors efficient?
When radiant heating is located in the floor, it is often called radiant floor heating or simply floor heating. Radiant heating has a number of advantages. It is more efficient than baseboard heating and usually more efficient than forced-air heating because it eliminates duct losses.
How do you install hydronic radiant heat over existing concrete?
2:063:51Radiant In Floor Heating over a Concrete Slab - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe most efficiently is the full glue down directly to the concrete. Using the recommended glue andMoreThe most efficiently is the full glue down directly to the concrete. Using the recommended glue and trowel trowels.
How do I make hydronic radiant floor heating?
How to Plan a Radiant System DesignESTIMATE YOUR HEATING REQUIREMENTS. ... DETERMINE THE HEATING REQUIREMENTS PER SQUARE FOOT. ... MULTIPLY HEAT LOSS BY TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE. ... DETERMINE YOUR HEAT OUTPUT. ... WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU ARE NOT SURE THAT YOU WILL GET ENOUGH HEAT FROM THE RADIANT FLOOR? ... MAXIMUM FLOOR TEMPERATURES.More items...•
How thick is concrete over radiant heat?
A: As a rule of thumb, Gypsum Concrete should be installed at ¾” thick over the top of the radiant heat tubes. The industry standard for radiant heat tubing is 5/8” Pex tubing (O.D. of approx ¾”), therefore a 1-1/2” thick Gypsum Concrete topping is most typical.
How deep should PEX be in concrete?
Since in non-reinforced slabs tubing is generally positioned at the bottom (secured with foamboard staples or PEX rails), their thickness should not exceed 4-5". Otherwise, the system will not run efficiently.
How thick is a topping slab?
1 ½” thickA topping slab will need to be at least 1 ½” thick in order to accommodate the tubing plus some reinforcing mesh over the top and then to have about ¾” of concrete over everything.
How much insulation do I need under a slab?
ASTM standards dictate a minimum of 10 PSI for under slab rigid insulation, and 15 is the most common. Of course, you are free to choose rigid insulation with higher compressive strength, but your costs may go up unnecessarily.
What is the best floor covering for radiant heat?
Ceramic tile is the most common and effective floor covering for radiant floor heating, because it conducts heat well and adds thermal storage. Common floor coverings like vinyl and linoleum sheet goods, carpeting, or wood can also be used, but any covering that insulates the floor from the room will decrease the efficiency of the system.
What is radiant floor?
Electric radiant floors typically consist of electric heating cables built into the floor. Systems that feature electrical matting mounted on the subfloor below a floor covering such as tile are also available.
What is hydronic radiant floor?
Hydronic (liquid) systems are the most popular and cost-effective radiant heating systems for heating-dominated climates. Hydronic radiant floor systems pump heated water from a boiler through tubing laid in a pattern under the floor. In some systems, controlling the flow of hot water through each tubing loop by using zoning valves or pumps and thermostats regulates room temperatures. The cost of installing a hydronic radiant floor varies by location and depends on the size of the home, the type of installation, the floor covering, remoteness of the site, and the cost of labor.
Why are radiant panels uncomfortable?
Some people find ceiling-mounted systems uncomfortable because the panels heat the top of their heads and shoulders more effectively than the rest of their bodies.
Why is radiant heat better than forced air?
It is more efficient than baseboard heating and usually more efficient than forced-air heating because it eliminates duct losses. People with allergies often prefer radiant heat because it doesn’t distribute allergens like forced air systems can. Hydronic (liquid-based) systems use little electricity, a benefit for homes off the power grid or in areas with high electricity prices. Hydronic systems can use a wide variety of energy sources to heat the liquid, including standard gas- or oil-fired boilers, wood-fired boilers, solar water heaters, or a combination of these sources. For more on the different types of energy sources and heat distribution systems for home heating, explore our Energy Saver 101 infographic on home heating.
Why do radiant panels have the quickest response time?
Radiant panels have the quickest response time of any heating technology and -- because the panels can be individually controlled for each room —the quick response feature can result in cost and energy savings compared with other systems when rooms are infrequently occupied. When entering a room, the occupant can increase the temperature setting and be comfortable within minutes. As with any heating system, set the thermostat to a minimum temperature that will prevent pipes from freezing.
Where does radiant heat come from?
Radiant heating systems supply heat directly to the floor or to panels in the wall or ceiling of a house. The systems depend largely on radiant heat transfer -- the delivery of heat directly from the hot surface to the people and objects in the room via infrared radiation. Radiant heating is the effect you feel from the warmth of a hot stovetop element from across the room. When radiant heating is located in the floor, it is often called radiant floor heating or simply floor heating.
What is radiant floor heating?
There are two basic types of radiant floor heating that supply this gentle, even warmth: hot water or electricity. Electric radiant, which uses zigzagging loops of resistance wire, is generally retrofitted to a single room, such as a bathroom or kitchen. Hot-water “hydronic” systems—the most popular and cost effective way to heat an entire house—circulate water from a boiler or water heater through loops of 1/2-inch polyethylene tubing.
How well does radiant floor heat work?
But a radiant heat system has more than just aesthetics going for it. It's also a highly efficient way to heat a house, increasing comfort as it reduces energy costs .
How does radiant heat work?
In a radiant setup, the warmth is supplied by hot-water tubes or electric wires buried underneath the floor. As the invisible waves of thermal radiation rise from below, they warm up any objects they strike, which radiate that captured heat in turn.
How hot does radiant floor air get?
Those jarring ups and downs are absent with radiant floors, which may reach 85 degrees, tops, on a frigid day. The warm air still rises, but it does so evenly over the entire floor, so the coolest air stays up at the ceiling.
Do you need a contractor to install hydronic radiant heating?
No one manufacturer supplies all the components for hydronic radiant heating. You'll need a good heating contractor to put a system together. With electric radiant, it's easy to find turnkey systems.
Do you need a separate air conditioner for radiant heat?
And you'll still need a separate air-conditioning system for cooling. But if the price tag puts you off, consider this: Once it's up and running, a radiant heat system can be up to 30 percent more energy efficient than forced-air heating, depending on how well insulated a house is. And there's no comparison when it comes to comfort.
Is a heated floor energy efficient?
Heated floors are energy efficient and provide the ultimate in comfort. We offer a basic introduction on the advantages of this heating system.
Why is radiant floor heating installed in the floor?
4. Radiant floor heating is installed in the floor because heat rises.
Why do you need radiant heating under every floor?
In the old days, it made sense to install radiant floor heating under every floor because a pump of hot water ran through all the pipes to keep them toasty.
How much energy does radiant floor heating save?
7. Installing radiant floor heating can save between 10% and 50% in energy usage.
Can you install radiant heating under tile?
5. It’s best to install radiant floor heating under tile or concrete.
Can you overheat without radiant floor heating?
But it’s easy to combat this problem: add more windows, properly insulate your home or add a bigger HVAC system. It’s also worth noting that overheating can occur without a radiant floor heating system as well. It occurs naturally when there’s a lack of the aforementioned elements. 3.
Can radiant heating overheat a house?
Radiant floor heating can overheat your home. If you have a small HVAC system -- or if there is a shortage of windows and insulation in your home -- there is a chance of overheating your home with a radiant heating system.
Can a builder install radiant heating?
A builder who has experience working with radiant floor heating installation should be able to install a system easily on the lower end of the cost spectrum. If you live in a harsh winter climate, there’s a good chance that the bulk of your local contractors have this experience.
What is radiant floor heating?
Radiant floor heating is a contemporary, energy-efficient way to heat your home without the need for bulky baseboard heaters.
How long does it take for an electric floor heater to heat up?
However, you can expect an electric floor heater in a tiled bathroom to reach an optimal comfort temperature in as little as 20 minutes. Water systems take longer to initially heat up but once they are running effectively, a more constant heat is produced.
What is an electric floor heater?
Electric floor heaters are composed of electric heating wires, often formed as a heating mat, which are installed below the floor finish and conduct electricity and convert this energy into an optimal radiant heat output. The temperature and heat schedule of the system is controlled and managed using a dedicated thermostat.
How thick is a stickymat?
The StickyMat System also provides a great low-profile solution; it’s only 3mm thick and offers rapid installation times. Both the Loose Wire and StickyMat systems can be installed inside the layer of tile adhesive or leveling compound, so won’t raise floor heights at all.
How much does it cost to install a stickymat system?
Installing the StickyMat system with accompanying Insulation and a heating controller in a typically sized bathroom would cost about $815 plus tax and installation costs but the cost of this can be absorbed by long-term savings on your heating bills.
Is radiant heating better than central heating?
Radiant heating is an energy-conscious heating solution for your project and can provide great savings on your heating bills. Underfloor heating offers quicker heat-up times than central heating and runs at lower temperatures whilst producing the same level of warmth. You can maximize the efficiency of a floor heater by installing a system with our Insulation Boards, which can improve heat-up times and help prevent heat from escaping the room and by controlling the system with a Warmup Smart Thermostat which can save you up to $490 a year on your annual energy bills.
Is underfloor heating safe?
Underfloor heating is proven to be a very safe heating solution for your home. As an ‘invisible’ system, and unlike central-heat, floor heaters don’t have any hot surfaces or exposed heating elements on which you may injure yourself. There is also no risk of electric shocks with these systems. Radiant heaters are also beneficial to your wellbeing as it keeps the air in the space fresher by reducing the circulation of dust – a common problem in rooms with central heating.
how thick should concrete be over radiant heat flooring?
They just poured the concrete last week over the pek? tubing for the radiant heat floor which will be tile. The concrete is only an inch thick, is that thick enough? There will be thinset put down with the tile floor! Please advise asap..thanks, Mary B.
How deep should concrete slabs be?
Concrete slabs are required to be 4'' minimum. Plus whatever footing depth your locale requires. With radiant, you also need under slab insulation or you'll spend a lot of money trying to heat up the earth below.
What is a radiant floor heating system?
Radiant floor heating systems heat a room by means of a system of pipes or wires that run beneath the surface flooring to gently radiate heat upward into the room. Such systems offer a good way to heat a room addition where it is difficult to extend existing HVAC ductwork, and they are especially effective on flooring ...
What is radiant floor?
Radiant floor systems come in several styles, but one of the most popular is the electric system, in which a wire mesh or loops of individual wires run across the floor beneath the surface, creating warmth by means of the natural resistance occurring as electricity flows through the metal wires.
What is hydronic radiant floor?
In hydronic systems, tubes of water warmed by a central boiler or hot water heater circulate beneath the floor. Hydronic radiant floor systems are more typically used in new construction for creation of whole-house heating systems.
How much does it cost to install radiant floor?
Costs. You can expect to pay at least $8 per square foot at a minimum for the materials for an electric radiant floor. For estimating purposes, $10 to $12 per square foot is a safe number to use for materials alone. On average, for professional installation plus materials, plan on spending about $16 per square foot.
How does radiant floor work?
Most electric radiant floors involve laying strips of electrical matting across the subfloor, linked together and connected ...
Is radiant floor good for tall rooms?
Radiant floors can also be a good choice in large, tall rooms since the heat source emanates at floor level, where the heating is most needed. And particularly in rooms where you walk with bare feet (the prime example is a bathroom ), a radiant floor makes for unparalleled comfort. Radiant floor systems come in several styles, ...
Can radiant heat be used on ceramic tile?
Pros. Electric radiant heat ing systems buried within thermal masses (such as between cement board and ceramic tile) can retain heat for a long time, even after the power is turned off. Electric radiant floor systems offer a discreet way of heating a floor. With the right temperature setting, it is difficult to even detect ...
What is radiant heat in concrete?
Quite simply, concrete floor radiant heat is a system of pex-tubes that carry hot water throughout a concrete floor or slab. Or... radiant heat can be an electrical heating element embedded into a very thin concrete overlay, then tiled, carpeted, or have wood flooring installed over it. When the thermal mass of the concrete is heated, ...
Where does radiant heat rise?
Most of the heat rises to the ceiling. With radiant floor heating in concrete, the heat is concentrated at the floor making you feel comfortable at a lower thermostat setting and will eventually rise to heat your entire house.
What happens when a concrete slab is heated?
When the thermal mass of the concrete is heated, the warm slab acts as a radiator distributing even heat throughout the structure.
What are the two types of heating for concrete floors?
There's two basic types of concrete floor heating, hydronic and electric.
How thick should a new floor be?
The thickness of the new floor would be the total of the concrete overlay and the type of flooring you choose. This could be approximately 1 inch more or less .
Why does concrete retain heat?
Due to it's density and low conductivity, concrete retains heat very well. When the concrete floor is heated the heat rises, warming everything in the room.
Can you put radiant heat on a tile floor?
The simple answer to that is YES, especially if you're re-modeling and installing new tile, carpet or wood flooring. But there are some things you have to take into consideration. There is and electric radiant floor heat system that can be embedded in a mortar mix or a self-leveling concrete overlay.
