Infloor Heating

Imagine stepping out of bed on a crisp fall morning and feeling the comfort of a warm floor as you make your way to the coffee machine. With radiant floor heating, you can experience the comfort throughout your entire house. Supplying heat directly into the flooring surface or to the wall panels, in-floor heating systems offer very cost efficient, comfortable, and even heating.

You maintain flexibility and control of your in-floor heat underneath hardwood, carpet, stone and tile.

Similar to hydronic heating, underfloor heating systems are a form of radiant heat transfer, moving the heat from the delivery surface to the heating zones of your home via infrared radiation.

Cleaner, quieter and more efficient than forced-air style heaters, radiant floor heating effectively heats every corner of the room.

How In-Floor Heating Works

The underfloor heating is generated through either electric heating coils, or via hydronic style heating where hot water from either a boiler, solar heater, or geothermal heater is pushed via a quiet pump through a network of tubing run within or underneath your home’s floors.

Another way to think of it is to imagine an in-floor heating system as being a giant version of your car’s radiator. The radiator is constantly delivering a liquid to the zones where temperature control is desired, then returning the liquid to the starting point to be heated once more. This cycle becomes a continuous efficient heating loop, all centrally managed by a thermostat you can set to your preference.

The beauty of in-floor style heating is that you can create custom zones that you want to heat based on your use of the different rooms in your house.

You can heat rooms you frequently use through radiant floor heating, such as the living room & bedrooms, and leaving the less-used rooms like guest bedrooms off until they’re needed, eliminating wasted energy & creating a more optimized approach to heating your home.

Are Heated Floors worth the money?

The initial investment in an in-floor radiant heating system may be more than a traditional forced-air heater, but the on-going costs are often much cheaper to operate.

The cost of hydronic in-floor heating systems will depend on how big your home is and how much tubing will be required to heat your space, as well as the cost of the pump & boiler.

Electric radiant floor heating tends to be less expensive to install, but the operating costs will be higher as electricity is generally more expensive than using a boiler.

The long-term savings & comfort that radiant floor heating provides often outweighs the initial investment, especially in older homes where inefficient forced-air heating is the norm.

Benefits of in-floor heating

There are many reasons to consider in-floor radiant heating for your home, some functional and some aesthetic.

From a functional perspective, in-floor radiant heating:

• Is more efficient than forced-air systems, as there is no heat loss through ductwork
• Provides even heating throughout the room, eliminating cold spots
• Is very quiet, as there are no noisy fans or ductwork
• Improves indoor air quality as there is no dust being blown around
• Allows you to create custom heating zones in your home

From an aesthetic perspective, in-floor radiant heating:

• Heats floors evenly, so you can say goodbye to cold feet in the morning!
• Is hidden from view, so it won’t spoil the look of your home
• Can be used with almost any flooring type, including hardwood, carpet, tile, and more

Does in-floor heating use a lot of electricity?

In turn your energy consumption is reduced. In general electric radiant floor heating is inexpensive. The cost per day for running a normal bathroom is about one dollar.

How long does in-floor heating last?

Radiant floor heating systems last for decades with very little maintenance required. The only regular maintenance needed is to occasionally check the flooring and ensure that it is in good condition.

When should I use in-floor heat?

Radiant floor heating systems can be used in any room in your home, but it is particularly well-suited for areas that are typically cold, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. Radiant floor heating can also be used to supplement other heating systems in your home.

How does in-floor heat compare to other heating options?

In-floor radiant heating is more efficient than forced-air systems because it doesn’t rely on ductwork to distribute heat. Radiant floor heating also evenly heats a room from the ground up, which is more comfortable than the top-down heat of forced-air systems.

What are the disadvantages of in-floor heat?

The initial cost of radiant floor heating can be higher than other types of heating systems. Radiant floor heating also requires a dedicated space for the installation of the system, which may not be possible in some homes.

How do I choose the right in-floor heat for my home?

To choose the right in-floor heat for your home, you will need to consider the size of your home, the type of flooring you have, and your budget. You will also need to decide whether you want a wet or dry system. Wet systems are more efficient but require more installation time and effort. Dry systems are less expensive and easier to install but are not as efficient.

How do I install Heated Floors?

Installing in-floor heat is a complex process that should be done by a professional. The first step is to choose the right system for your home. Once you have chosen the system, you will need to prepare the floor and install the radiant heating mats or tubing. Finally, you will need to connect the system to your power source and test it to make sure it is working properly.

How do I maintain in-floor heat?

Once your in-floor heat system is installed, there is very little maintenance required. You should occasionally check the flooring and ensure that it is in good condition. You may also need to add more antifreeze to the system if it is a wet system.

Get In-Floor Heating In Your Home

Radiant floor heating is a great way to heat your home. It is more efficient than other types of heating systems, and it evenly heats a room from the ground up. Radiant floor heating is also quieter and can help improve the indoor air quality of your home. The initial cost of radiant floor heating can be higher than other types of heating systems, but it is worth the investment. Radiant floor heating systems last for decades with very little maintenance required.

If your home is in the Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Mississauga, or Etobicoke Ontario areas, Give A. McKenna Plumbing a call at 1-905-510-4965 for more information on our whole product line of hydronic & In-floor heating solutions.