Just because you have forced air heating doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the comforts and benefits of radiant floor heating. Its not a hidden secret, radiant heating is far superior to the forced air systems which are being installed. Radiant floor heating is available in either hydronic or electric.
Electric Radiant Heating – the Danfoss LX mat, installation couldn’t be any easier. Electric cables are spaced at 3” centers and secured to a perforated mat which sticks to the subfloor. Total thickness of this product is 1/8”.
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The electric cables/mat underneath the floor heats up as electricity is conducted through it, heating the floor surface evenly throughout the room without a sound.
The end of the cable is attached usually to a programmable controller which can control the floor surface temperature or the air temperature in that room or both. The Danfoss controller allows you to easily program your radiant floor heating schedule into its large interfaced controller. Most homeowners will choose electric radiant heating in rooms which have cold floors such as the bathroom and kitchen. Others rooms include rooms over a garage or any floor with a ceramic/stone finish. This type of heating is especially nice when you get up in the morning and everything is cold.
Hydronic Radiant Heating – Involves heating water, hot water is then circulated through a good PEX pipe by WattsRadiant which is placed underneath the finished floor. In most cases the PEX pipe is put into a concrete slab making it ideal for basement floors. For dry floors (floor joist and subfloor) you have a couple of options;
- WattsRadiant Smart Trac system is used over the existing subfloor – raises your finished floor 5/8”.
- from underneath the subfloor, between the floor joists (staple up system) or
- lightweight concrete pour over the subfloor – raises your finished floor a minimum 1-5/8”.
An important item which needs to be taken into consideration when doing any form of radiant floor heating is the floor finish. Most floor finishes are suitable with floor heating providing the floor has been prepared correctly and any manufacturer’s temperature guidelines have been adhered to. For additional information on floor finishes.
Hydronic heated floors stay warmer longer than electric heated floors because water carries the heat longer than electricity. Another advantage is that you can heat the water in a variety of ways such as gas, electricity, oil, propane even solar. This gives you a little more versatility than with electric radiant heat.
No matter which type of radiant floor heating you choose, it will make your home warmer and more comfortable for a long time to come. The best part is that its silent, clean and evenly distributed and will make you wonder why you didn’t this years ago.
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Available Downloads:
Danfoss Programmable Thermostats Sell Sheet
For additional information: info@rdes.ca