How to Size Radiant Floor Heat

Radiators have been used for generations as a method of heating rooms with radiant heat.

You have three options for radiant floor heating: air, electronic, and hydronic (water pipes). Air heating for floors is not economical or efficient. Electronic can be costly, but is the safest when properly installed. Hydronic is the most efficient, but very costly and can develop leaks. Adding radiant floor heating to a room, such as a bathroom, is easiest using electronic radiant heat. Electronic radiant heat comes in sheets and only requires that you size the room properly.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure

Instructions

1. Mark off the area in which you will be placing radiant heat. Remember that the radiant heat mats should not go under cabinets, tubs or other similar fixtures.

2. Separate the area into square and rectangular sections. You may be left with some triangle-shaped sections.

3. Measure the height and width of each section. Multiply the height by the width to the get the area for the square and rectangular sections. Do the same for the triangle shaped sections, but divide the results of height times width by two. Add all your area calculations together. This is your total square footage for the heated area.

4. Order your radiant floor mats based upon the total square footage of the area.

References

• Concrete Network: Radiant Floor Heat Design and Installation Tips
• Energy Savers: Radiant Heating