If you are thinking about redoing the flooring in your home, you got to consider a heated flooring system. They are energy sufficient and can keep your home warm. It is a form of an indoor temperature control system that uses water or electricity to produce heat and makes your floor warm in less than half an hour. When you are living in a cold climate, you need a proper heating system. This system costs less than conventional heating systems and is more effective and efficient. The heated flooring system is better than other forced-air heating systems especially for the people suffering from different allergies because it eliminates duct losses. Conventional heating systems provide you heat at a particular angle while this one keeps the floor warm and the cooler air stays up at the ceiling. In the case of forced-air heating systems, your head can be bathed by warm air, but your feet remain in the cold zone. Heated flooring systems are cheaper than conventional heating systems and they are suitable for homes for all sizes as well as commercial uses.
There are three types of heated flooring system
- Hot water radiant flooring
- Electric radiant flooring
- Radiant air flooring
Hot water radiant flooring
The hydronic system is a low-cost floor heating system. In this system, hot water is pumped from the boiler through the tubing system that is lying under the floor. The hot water flowing in the tubes keeps the floor warm. The water radiant flooring system does not warm the air. It only warms the body or any object in its zone. A hydronic heating system can use a wild variety of energy sources to heat the liquid. For example, you can use a gas boiler, oil-fired boilers, wood-fired boilers, and solar water heaters to heat the liquid. Hot water radiant flooring system is 10-30 percent more effective than a standard HVAC system because it keeps the house warm for hours after the power outage. This system requires some expensive components. The more area you heat, the lower the cost per square foot becomes. The hydronic heating system is cheaper in installation than the electric floor heating system. It costs almost six dollars per square foot. This system does not require big blowers to move the hot water. The temperature of all rooms is controlled by the continuous movement of hot water in the tubing loops. Their average cost is $13 per square foot.
Electric radiant flooring
The electrically-heated flooring system is cost-effective only if the electric company offers time-use rates. Electrically heated flooring systems work like electric blankets. The electricity moves in the resistance cables and produces heat. If you can use your floor heating system in only peak-off hours, it would be a better option. It will keep your floor warm for at least 9 to 10 hours after you turn it off. The electric heated-flooring system consists of three components. Heating cable, a thermostat, and a temperature sensor. The thermostat is always connected to the home’s power supply and turns on and off the supply of power according to the requirement of the floor temperature. The temperature sensor is attached to the cables and tells the thermostat to turn on or off the power supply according to the temperature of the floor. Their average cost is $11 per square foot.
Types of electric radiant flooring system
- Loose cables
- Mash mats
- Solid mats
Loose cables
In this type of electric floor heating system, cables are arranged in loops under the floor randomly. It is the cheapest and effective way to produce heat for the floor. Place the electric cables close to each other to make the floor heat up faster and reach a high temperature. You can install the cables over the tiles backer board rather than cover with a mortar adhesive used for ceramic tiles.
You can install the cables also without the tile backer board if you want faster and smooth surface heating. Place the cables under the floor then cover them with cement-based powder mixed with water.
Mash mats
Mash mats require less time in heating than loose cables. They are covered with plastic nets and you can place tiles or carpet on mash mats.
Solid mats
Solid mats are the most expensive electric heat flooring system. But they are easier to install too. The electric cables are covered with synthetic fiber and plastic sheathing. The big advantage of solid mats is that they require less energy in heating up than other lose cables and mash mats.
Radiant air flooring system
In the radiant air flooring system, warm air is used to warm the floor. But as you know air cannot hold a large amount of heat, so this is not an effective system. Their prices start from $14 and can go up from there exponentially.
Cost Analysis of 3 types of heated flooring systems
No. | Type | Average Cost in USD per sq.ft |
1 | Hot water radiant flooring | 13 |
2 | Electric radiant flooring | 11 |
3 | Radiant air flooring | 14 |
Best flooring for radiant heat
The type of flooring will have a major effect on the efficiency of the floor heating system. If you choose good flooring like ceramic tiles, natural stones, laminate, and wood you will get better results in terms of heating. Ceramic tiles are the most popular flooring for a heated floor system. It enhances the ability of the floor to conduct more heat and store heat in a large amount.
Natural stones are also a good option to go for as this flooring stores a large amount of heat. For the electric heated-flooring system laminate flooring would be the best option. But in the case of a water heated-flooring system, the water below the floor can ruin the laminate flooring.
Avoid the use of carpet, concrete, and rubber flooring for a heated flooring system. If you are using the carpet it will absorb the heat but it is not a good conductor of heat. In the case of rubber flooring, it will produce an unpleasant smell when it absorbs the heat.
Best radiant heat heater
Nowadays you can find various types of radiant heat heaters in the markets. Some of the best radiant heat heaters are radiant floor heater with touch screen, electric radiant floor heater, and electric radiant floor heat mat.
Radiant floor heater with touch screen
Radiant floor heater with a touch screen is one of the best heated-flooring systems. It is the best option to install for up to 70 square foot floor area. It consists of warm wire spool and coil strips that produce enough heat to produce heat for 70 square feet. This radiant floor heater comes with a touch screen thermostat. It detects the temperature to regulate it. This heating system comes in the market with almost 25 years warranty.
Electric radiant floor heater
The electric radiant floor heater is a 20 square foot floor heating mat. It is cost-effective and takes less time for its installation. The cables running through the mat heater are thick and of high quality to provide a safe and comfortable warm floor.
Heated flooring systems are a good source to keep your floor warm going in 2021. It has the potential to lower your utility bills than other heating systems like forced-air systems. These systems don’t need ductwork for their operation. Unlike the other heating systems, radiant heat flooring systems are not visible and don’t occupy any space of your home because they are embedded under the floor. They improve indoor air quality too. These heating systems don’t deliver the heat from a focused point and provide uniform vertical heat that is distributed all over the room.