So, what’s the big deal with radiant heat? Sure, some Akron residents rave about how wonderful radiant heat is, but what is the real difference between a radiant floor heating system and a traditional forced-air system? Why is radiant heat being referred to as the home heating technology of the future?
One of the most notable differences between radiant heat and forced-air systems has to do with efficiency. Forced-air systems tend to have a lot of innate inefficiencies. The air is first warmed by the furnace (usually around 150°F to 160°F) before being blown through a series of ductwork. Naturally, some heat loss results as it is blown through the ducts. When the hot air exits through vents in a room, it quickly rises, effectively heating the top half of the room, but not the lower levels. This can leave the bottom half of the room cool, and to compensate, the thermostat is cranked up. In addition to the warm air blowing from the vents, dust and allergens are also blown throughout the house. Needless to say, this can be a nuisance for those with allergies or respiratory problems. And even when vents are closed in some rooms, heat often escapes and whistles from those vents, adding to the inefficiency of the system.
Electric radiant heat systems operate silently, cleanly, and with almost 100 percent efficiency. There is virtually no heat loss. The warmth must be experienced to be appreciated, but radiant heat provides warmth where you need it the most. Heat rises from the floor and radiates to warm objects in the room. Installing a heated bathroom or kitchen floor can make a world of difference in the comfort of that room. A room with a radiant heated floor is especially nice for children who spend so much time playing on the floor, or close to it. While Warmzone® offers electric and hydronic heated floors, electric systems operate discreetly and are maintenance free.
Warmzone carries a wide range of the industry’s most proven and trusted radiant floor heating systems. Some of these systems include:
ComfortTile®: This thin heat-resistance cable is barely 1/8-inch in diameter, and is available on spools or pre-spaced in mats for easy installation. The mats (shown in the photo at the top right of this page) have an adhesive backing, and can be rolled out and secured to the subfloor quickly and easily. The ComfortTile floor heating system is very versatile, and has become Warmzone's most popular floor heating solution. It is especially effective for heating tile, marble, and slate, but is also commonly used to heat laminates and other floor types. The twin-conductor floor heating cable is pre-terminated for convenient use, and carries a 25-year manufacturer warranty.
FilmHeat™: The FilmHeat system uses a paper-thin heating element (available in different widths). It can be cut onsite and is easy to install under laminate floors. The UL approved system features a 25-year warranty. Another version of FilmHeat is used to heat existing floors. Warmzone’s RetroHeat® systems feature the same thin heating element (only 0.016-inch thick), intended to be stapled up between the floor joists. Batt insulation is installed over the heating element to direct the heat up to the floor. This is an affordable alternative to tearing up and installing new heated floors. To install RetroHeat, you must be able to access the joists from a basement or crawlspace below.
In-Slab™: The In-Slab heat cable is the largest and most rugged of the floor heating cables. This affordable floor heating system is a common solution for heating basement and ground-level floors where concrete slabs have been used.
When installing the system, the In-Slab cable is secured to the re-mesh and then the concrete is poured. Mesh-Up plastic “chairs” are used to support the remesh so that the heat cable remains within an inch or two from the surface of the finished concrete. The concrete slab efficiently stores and conducts the heat, making this a very efficient floor heating system. Virtually any floor type can then be installed over the concrete slab. In-Slab systems are easy to install and feature a 10-year manufacturer warranty.
FoilHeat™: This floor heating system also features thin heat cable, but the cable is sandwiched between two layers of specially reinforced aluminum foil. This construction serves to provide an efficient heat conductor to ensure even heat distribution. The mats can be cut and shaped onsite, and are typically used to heat laminate floors.
The power-supply cable connecting the heating element exits from a corner of the laminate mat, and the power lead is a flat, thin two-core flexible cord, consisting of two insulated conductors with a metal sheath and an outer sheath. FoilHeat is a versatile system that offers an excellent value for heating under several different floor types.
FloorHeat STEP®: The low-voltage FloorHeat STEP is a recommended system for heating hardwood floors. Some hardwoods can be sensitive to excessive heat, but the FloorHeat STEP system’s heating element is self-regulating, so the heating element adjusts its heat output accordingly. When the ambient temperature rises the electrical resistance increases and the consumption of electricity decreases, preventing the element from overheating and ensuring energy-efficient operation.
This heating element is a flexible, thin polymer panel that can be nailed or stapled through. It is so durable that the system is also one of the most popular roof de-icing solutions. The heating element is installed discreetly under the roof shingles or metal roof. To heat floors, the system is laid out and secured to the subfloor, wired, and then thinset can be applied directly over the heating element.
Prodeso® Uncoupling and Waterproofing Membrane System: Prodeso floor heating membranes can be combined with ComfortTile heat cable to provide optimized or specialized floor heating systems.
Prodeso is an uncoupling, crack isolation and waterproofing membrane for heating floors and other surfaces without movement or expansion joints in the screed. The flexible membrane is laid out over the subfloor and then the heat cable is routed through the existing channels, assuring quick installation and accurate spacing. This system results in a slight floor buildup of ¼-inch and can be used under a variety of floor types.
Each room or "zone" of an electric floor heating system is controlled by its own thermostat, giving you precise control over which rooms you want to heat. In addition to Warmzone's large product offering, we also carry a variety of the most advanced programmable and non-programmable thermostats in the industry.
Radiant heat can be used as the primary heating system for homes, but many homeowners opt to install radiant heat as a supplement to their existing heating system. It’s an ideal way to turn your house into a dream home. Warmzone offers one of the best selections of the most trusted radiant floor heating systems in the industry. Warmzone carries both electric and hydronic floor heating systems.
Warmzone includes the industry's top customer support services with each system. These services include free installation training, technical support for installers, and professional system design services. To learn more about the various floor heating systems that are available, as well as Warmzone's premier customer support services, call Warmzone today at 888.488.9276.
888-488-9276
info@warmzone.com
