Are heated floors worth it?
While most homes have the traditional HVAC systems for temperature controlling and comfort, another form of temperature control is fast becoming more popular. Radiant floor heating, or floor heating, is a popular and modernized way to efficiently keep your home at just the right temperature that you want. Being a system for heating and cooling, radiant heating uses electric coils or water heated tubes to essentially make the surface warmer that the system is installed under. With how heat rises, a room with a heated floor will become naturally warm and comfortable. At the same time, the system can regular the temperature of the floor easier than an HVAC system can by blowing air, making it overall more an efficient system.
After initial installation, radiant heating offers a more natural and comfortable way of regulating the temperature. Particularly when you are having your floor installed, replaced, or fixing broad damages then a heated floor can easily be installed and become an integral part of your home. The system that offers to heat your home in radiant heating can also cool as well in a process called radiant cooling. If you need radiant heating installation, use the services of Total Comfort Cooling & Heating, LLC when living in Macon, GA. Call 478-781-9107 to set up an appointment.
What are the pros and cons of radiant heat?
Like all systems, radiant heating has advantages and disadvantages. Whether you live in hotter or colder regions, they can be beneficial to your home when being mindful of the drawbacks they may have. Comparatively to a traditional HVAC system, a radiant system is advantageous and popular for:
- Energy efficient
- Definite lack of noise
- Matches the temperature to the entire room more easily than other systems
- When installing without a floor, installation is easy
- No dust build up
- Longer lifespan
- Few necessary repairs
Radiant heating and cooling do negate multiple complaints that arise with a home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. As mentioned, the system can save a person money due to the system uses electricity versus the alternative option. Being hypoallergenic, the system is beneficial to those sensitive to dust in the air due to it having no effect on the air a person breaths in. Whereas an HVAC system will have to work harder to achieve the chosen temperature, the radiant heating system takes on the task through a different process and delivers the same result with a definite lack of noise. The possible disadvantages however of the system can hinder a person if they are not aware of what could result through carelessness:
- Heavy upfront cost when the floor needs to be removed
- When needed, repairs are difficult
- If it’s hydro-powered when the system is aged significantly
- When poorly installed, electrical problems and fires are possible
When installed by an experienced technician, like those at Total Comfort Cooling & Heating, LLC, a radiant heating or cooling system can offer various benefits and a clear lack of disadvantages. Speak to one of our representatives if you believe the system is right for your home and we can help in the process.
Can you put rugs on heated floors?
It is recommended you not put just any rug on a floor that has radiant heating. While being naturally different from the average HVAC system, in regard that it won’t necessarily catch fire, it will still break down due to being an insulator. Not only that, but the carpet will also make the radiant heater less effective due to that it is first absorbing the effects the system is putting out. With that said, carpets that have thermal resistance at one or two are suggested when you find that you are interested in a carpet on your radiant heated floor. With heated floors lasting around thirty years, has a chance of being highly hindered on such a surface.
What flooring is best for heated floors?
When you consider radiant heating, understand that some floors are entirely better than others due to the transfer of heat and cold from the system through the floor and into the room. The reason why heated floors are popular in bathrooms for example is that ceramic tile and porcelain are wonderful conductors. It is also clear that the material does not expand or contract with temperatures, making it an easy choice on parts of the home when considering radiant heating.
In the rest of your home, you will want to consider a floor that can conduct heat effectively and not hinder it. Natural stone and manufactured wood boards are great choices as they are a solid base while being easy for the heat to pass through. While natural stone often is accredited to keeping homes cool, the same can be said in keeping them warm when radiant heating is involved. The reason is as mentioned, energy transfers through it which makes it easily manageable for a system like radiant heating.
When considering a system to warm and cool your home, consider radiant heating and cooling as the superior choice. When needing installation or repair of the system in Macon, GA, trust Total Comfort Cooling & Heating, LLC for either. Call 478-781-9107 today to schedule an appointment.
