How Does Radiant Heat Work in the Home?
Radiant heating systems do not rely on forced air to heat homes. This feature makes radiant heating more efficient, as heat is not lost through ductwork or gaps. Radiant heating distributes warmth more evenly throughout the room and heats everything in it, including people. Does this Spark an idea?
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Distribution
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Radiant heat heats homes in either of two ways. Electrical systems produce heat from electrical energy through a series of coils below the floor. Hydronic systems pipe warm water through tubes embedded beneath the floor.
Convection
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As the floor warms, the home's natural convection currents allow the heat to rise above the surface of the floor. Forced air systems tend to push warm air up the walls with the air losing some heat as it circulates around the room. Radiant heating keeps the warmest air closer to floor level, where people are.
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Flooring
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Carpeting tends to provide too much insulation to radiant heating, causing it to lose its effectiveness. Most other types of flooring material -- vinyl, wood and laminates -- work well with radiant heat. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are ideal because they hold heat well, assisting the efficiency of radiant systems.
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