Year: 2021

There is a difference between radiant heat and convectional heat. Both heating methods work fine independently, but knowing which application makes more sense for your home can make you and your family more comfortable. Combining these two heat sources can also be a blessing for people who want to save money during the winter months by using less energy.

The radiant floor heating typically depends on a network of cables installed between the subfloor and the floor covering. The mats use electricity to heat up, which begins to warm the floor under your feet. They are great for large rooms and small rooms with low expenses that are affordable for most budgets. Radiant floor heating is perfect for the bathroom and kitchen floors but will fit nearly any room or more rooms inside your house for optimal comfort.

A Convection Heater Only Heats The Air

A convection (or traditional) heater only heats the room’s air since this heater relies on its circulation. As cool air falls, it passes over the heating section and rises out through the unit’s top back into the room as warmed air. This heater transfers heat through gas or liquid to work effectively. It will perform by warming a room from the top down. It relies on the atmosphere to climb when it is warm, and it will cool down when lowered. Conventional heating must first heat all the air in the room to restore the thermostat’s required temperature. As the air heats up and cools down, a significant part of the air moves, leading to constant air swirling as it passes through the room.

Pros:

• In most cases, convection heaters are relatively silent, since they do not rely on ductwork
• They can be placed in a variety of places, such as a stairway, giving you versatile heating

Cons:

• Convection heaters are generally not very effective for heating large spaces, since they rely on dispersing air naturally
• They do not circulate air through a filter, which can contribute to the build-up of dust and allergens
• Since they heat the air from one area of the room currents air can stir up dust and allergens

Electric Radiant Floor Heat can be Programmed

Electric radiant floor heat is very energy efficient. Electric radiant floor heating systems are beneficial, and they use less energy than other methods, which is the right way people can save money. Most electric floor heating systems use between over ten watts per hour to about twelve watts per hour. The floors can operate with a thermostat that you can easily program. They will automatically heat your floor whenever time you choose for the room. They are straightforward to install by the model you want to get. They usually have a heating wire that is easy to place that will control the gaps. For the heating mat systems, the wire is built into the mat itself.

No matter if it is conventional or radiant, you should consider the size of the room you want to be heated. Both systems will cover the whole floor area to heat the room successfully to your needs. Be sure to buy a heater that matches the size of the flooring in the entire room.

An Electric Radiant Floor Even Has Benefits You Will Be Happy With

An electric radiant floor heating system has many benefits. They provide consistent heating, and they will heat the area where they are placed underneath your floors. You will feel the warmest temperature in the room that is closest to the heating system. The good thing is that when you use radiant floor heating, the system installs with equal spacing, so you will not find any areas that are cold that the heater will not cover.

Besides, a radiant heating system does not move the air, so the room’s airflow doesn’t affect the moisture content. This is helpful for areas of the country that are extremely dry or highly humid. This feature has the added benefit of preventing mold growth for those prone to allergies or respiratory problems.

Radiant Floor Heating Gives You Comfort Where It Matters

Using both conventional and radiant heat will cut back the traditional heating system’s temperature and use. You can also combine the two, which will save you a lot of money each month. The QuietWarmth floor system is high-tech with advanced ink technology ideal for all kinds of floating floors. The QuietWarmth mats come with a vast display of features you will find at a reasonable price that you can afford. Due to the thin ink technology, it will work for all kinds of floorings that are modern, especially for bamboo floors. It is easy to install with minimal effort.

QuietWarmth underfloor heating systems are also ideal for tiles and existing flooring. They are easy to install and require virtually no ongoing maintenance. It provides your floors with uniform heat with no gaps, and the radiant heat is spread evenly through the room. The price is affordable while producing heat evenly and effectively.

Pros:

• Most radiant heating systems are more efficient taking less energy to heat a space
• Radiant floor heating systems require little maintenance
• Heats room uniformly from the ground up, preventing the disturbance of dust and allergens

Cons:

• Depending on the amount of area covered with floor heating, radiant heating can have a more expensive upfront cost
• Radiant heating systems require an electrician to complete the wiring

Final Thoughts

Radiant floor heating is arguably the ideal home heating system. It is practical, comfortable, and are friendly to your pets. Pets always love the feel of the warmth of the floors too. Since heat will flow throughout your room, your furnishings and valuables will be safe. An important thing to know is they will give you the feel of comfortable warmth even on a cold winter morning. Each time you step on the floors will feel refreshed. Winter months are ideal for these floors when you need extra warmth underfoot. Many people may not feel they need one, but once you experience the difference, you will enjoy the long-lasting benefits of QuietWarmth radiant heating.

Don’t count convection heating out though, as in many cases radiant floor heating and convection heating work well together. For example, a radiant heating system may be boosted by a convection-powered space heater.

Radiant floor heat is a great way to add warmth and comfort in your home during the cold months of the year. You can use it to effectively warm your house in cold weather and your family will thank you for it. However, the question is does radiant floor heat add value to your home? To begin with, let’s discuss what radiant floor heat is and how it works. That way, we’ll better understand the question of whether or not it adds value to your home.

What is Radiant Floor Heat?

Radiant floor heat is when heating elements or water tubes are installed in your home, typically beneath the flooring. For pre-installed flooring, There are electric heating mats that can be installed beneath the subfloor between the floor joists. These specialized systems heat the objects that are close to them which in turn releases the heat into the home. Radiant heat uses a principle called infrared radiation. This is when an object is heated up and you can feel the heat from that object from a distance away, perhaps across the room.

Radiant floor heating is accomplished, generally, in two different ways. The first is to use electricity to heat the flooring and the heat is then distributed throughout the home. This is a great option for many homeowners, but it may increase your electric bill even though the system is still quite efficient. The other way of using radiant heat is called hydronic heating. This means that there are tubes with water in them installed, in the case of heated floors, under your carpet, or wood flooring. The water is then pumped through a boiler to heat it. Then it is pumped back through the tubes under the flooring where it releases the heat into your home for heating. Electrical heating is popular because you don’t need a boiler to heat the water in the tubes and generally requires less maintenance. However, both systems are very efficient in heating your home.

So, Does Radiant Floor Heat Add Value to Your Home?

The answer to that is, of course, yes it does add value to your home. Most people will not immediately consider radiant floor heat when they are considering buying a home. However, if the home already has radiant floor heat installed it will make a big impression. So, yes it does definitely bring more value to your home.

The question is why? It is important to understand why radiant heat adds value to your home. The answer starts with heated floors. Warm floors feel wonderful to step on, particularly when you wake up on a cold winter morning and put your feet on the floor. Just as a matter of practical daily living, heated floors add a degree of cozy comfort and warmth that you can’t get with regular duct heating. They are a very nice addition to have no matter where you live. But, if you live in a colder part of the country, it really helps to have radiant heat installed in your home.

Another reason radiant heat adds value to your home is, as a selling point, the heat is very evenly distributed around the home. In most homes, there are cold spots where the temperatures can be variable as compared to the rest of the home. With radiant heat, especially when it is used as heated floors, the warmth is evenly distributed throughout the home. It also adds reliability to the efficiency of how the home is heated.

Radiant Floors are Easy to Install

If you do want to go with heated floors, and your home is not new, it can be installed as an after move-in addition. This is an immense advantage. It can be fitted under tiles and under most plank flooring. That is a huge advantage if you are thinking about selling. You can have it installed and then use it as a great selling point. It may not be something that most people will immediately think of but when pointed out to them it will be a great point of interest.

The biggest selling point for radiant floor heat is simply the comfort and pleasure it will provide you. When your home has radiant heat it adds a sense of luxury to the home. Even in the middle of the cold and long winter, radiant floor heat will take the edge off and keep your home feeling comfortable and warm. This will keep everyone in the family warm and toasty. Walking into a warm home after being in cold gusts of wind and deep snow that chills your feet to the bone, stepping onto the warm floor will be a welcome change.

Something else to consider is that total coverage with heated floors can provide enough heat where duct systems do not have to run. Air duct systems forced air movement can disturb dust and allergens. This means floor heating is often considered to be better for people with allergies and other related issues. This adds another level of comfort you might find when you have radiant floor heating in your home.

Final Thoughts

Does radiant floor heat add to the value of your home? The answer is a resounding yes. For all the reasons mentioned above, from warm and toasty toes to it being a great selling point, to the benefit of reducing allergens, bring value to your home for you and for future homeowners. The value is both intrinsic, which means the value is found within the home for you personally, and extrinsic. Extrinsic is the value found in it by others from outside the home in the form of selling points.

Underfloor heating, also known as radiant heating, is a prestigious home addition and an upcoming trend when building new houses or renovating. This feature focuses on comfortable, clean and design-led living. Despite underfloor heating being a cozy way to warm your feet, questions still arise about its worth considering the installation and extra cost. Is it safe to just use conventional radiators in warming your house? Let us look at the pros and cons of heating floors to help you make an informed decision before installing underfloor heating.

Types of Underfloor Heating

There are two ways to heat floors; using electricity or using water.

Electric underfloor heating utilizes electric cables or mats placed under the floor. This type of heating is suitable if your utility company charges you based on time of use. If this is the case and your floors have a solid, durable base, you can turn on the heat and turn it off after the floor has been sufficiently heated.

Hydronic underfloor heating is another common type of heating. Heat is distributed by hydronic floor systems that pump hot water from a boiler via tubing laid below your flooring.

Pros of Underfloor Heating

Energy-efficient and Comfortable Heating

Ability to effectively heat a space is one of the major advantages of these systems. The two main types of underfloor heating can provide comfortable and luxurious warmth. Compared to traditional heating devices, modern floor heating is more energy efficient as you do not use as much electricity. Traditional heating devices require heating at high temperature to offer the same comfort. Depending on your chosen floor’s thermal conductivity, you can increase the system’s efficiency, which will save you significant amounts in electricity expenses.

Traditional heating devices heat the air, which creates colds spots in the room. These devices also make the air inside the house stuffy, which forces the occupants to look for fresh air by opening windows. This leads to heat loss as it escapes through the windows leading to a waste of the energy used for running the device. Therefore, it would be best to use underfloor heating as it does not create cold spots and maintains a comfortable and pleasant environment.

Easy to Install and Maintain

It is extremely easy to install underfloor heating, even when installing it during home renovations. These systems are versatile, making them an excellent addition in most buildings, including old ones. Besides, these systems are very easy to operate and maintain. You can either use a smart thermostat or automatic heating control to ensure efficient heat distribution throughout your home. In addition, underfloor heating systems require minimal maintenance throughout their lifespan.

Safety and Comfort

When you install underfloor heating, there is no worrying about hot surfaces or sharp edges as you would with radiators. The heating system is safely out of sight and does not get too hot. The heat produced by these systems also has better air quality as it keeps the air oxygen-rich and fresh. Alternatively, the high temperatures produced by radiators reduce oxygen levels and create discomfort in the home. As a result of air rising upwards and then falling downwards, thermal circulation occurs, making the dust go in circles; this does not occur with underfloor heating systems.

Suitable for all Floor Coverings

You can install underfloor heating systems under any floor covering such as laminate, luxury vinyl plank, luxury vinyl tile, tile, or ceramic. This enables you to make the most of your floor and wall space.

Cons of Underfloor Heating

Cost

The cost of installing underfloor heating can be high. If you opt for the electric option, the cost ranges from $10 and $20 per square foot. However, if your area of residence has high electricity charges, it will cost you more to operate the system. Although you save energy by controlling the systems with a thermostat, you should look into the issue before installing it. Alternatively, if you are handy you can install the underfloor heating yourself.

Flooring Replacement

Regardless of whether you are installing hydronic or electric underfloor heating, you have to remove the existing flooring. This is why it is ideal for installing the systems during construction or when remodeling a house.

Elevates the Height of the Floor

Despite the type of heating system you install, the height of your floor will be elevated. Apart from the heating system’s thickness, the height can be elevated by the type of installation, that is, underlayment or installation membrane. Usually, the floor height only raises at about ½ inch in many electric underfloor heating systems. But when using hydronic underfloor heating, expect the height to be more elevated.

With QuietWarmth floor heating systems, the thickness is the height of a credit card and won’t increase floor height.

Installation Time

When installing underfloor heating systems, application of a self-leveling compound above the electric heating system is made. You should be aware that it takes time for the compound to completely dry before placing the floor covering, which takes one to two days. Hydronic underfloor heating systems take longer to install. This is not a major issue as most of them are installed when constructing a new building or carrying out major renovation works; it takes about one week to complete.

If you are installing the QuietWarmth Float, no self-leveling compound is needed and can be same day installed.

Hard to Find an Expert

Although it was earlier stated that it is easy to install underfloor heating systems, this is only possible with experienced contractors. Since this is a new trend, there aren’t as many contractors who can do the job. Ensure that the contractor you choose has enough relevant experience to avoid accidents since the they can be dangerous when installed incorrectly.

With QuietWarmth system, numerous DIY’ers can handle the ease of installation and experienced contractors are not required.

Final Word

Underfloor heating is an excellent way to heat your space. It has better heat distribution and is safer than other heating systems. The pros and benefits of adding underfloor heating most definitely outweigh the cons.

With all of the different flooring brands out there, it can be hard to tell if your flooring is compatible with QuietWarmth Radiant Heating Systems. The good news is most kinds of flooring are compatible! We will cover some common flooring brands and how you can find out if your flooring is compatible if not listed in the article.

QuietWarmth Radiant Heating Systems by Brand of Flooring

Different brands have different installation instructions when it comes to radiant heating. We will cover some of the common flooring brands below. If you do not see your brand of flooring don’t worry. Later in the article, we will discuss QuietWarmth’s compatibility by type of flooring.

Does LifeProof work with QuietWarmth?

Yes, LifeProof is compatible with QuietWarmth. The flooring temperature must not exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit. QuietWarmth mats are designed not to be able to exceed 85 degrees. Unlike wire mesh mats, QuietWarmth’s ink mats are thinner than a credit card so you will not have to worry about wires showing through the flooring. However, you will need to create a channel for the lead wires either in an underlayment beneath, or the subfloor.

Does SmartCore work with QuietWarmth?

Yes, SmartCore will work with QuietWarmth. Like LifeProof, SmartCore also has a maximum temperature limit of 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They also require the use of an in-floor heating sensor to accurately monitor the temperature of your floors. All of QuietWarmth’s thermostats come with an in-floor sensor included.

QuietWarmth Heating Systems by Types of Flooring

If the flooring you are planning on installing was not listed above, we are going to discuss QuietWarmth’s compatibility based on the flooring type being installed.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring has come along and is becoming more and more popular. While its conduction is not as good as tile, the planks are usually thinner and still transfer an effective amount of heat through. With vinyl, the most important factor to look for is the manufacturer’s temperature limit. Most temperature limits are around 85 degrees. This is why we designed QuietWarmth to have a maximum heat output of 85 degrees. Usually, vinyl planks are installed in a floating floor design. QuietWarmth for floating floors does not require any extra self levelers or mortars, keeping the installation as simple as possible.

Laminate Flooring

When installing radiant heating under laminate, moisture must be kept in mind. If moisture affects the laminate flooring while changing temperatures, it can cause warping and bending of the planks. If you’re installing over a concrete subfloor, a 6-mil vapor barrier is recommended to eliminate any moisture from reaching your floors. The ideal layout for laminate flooring is subfloor, 6-mil vapor barrier for concrete, QuietWalk underlayment, QuietWarmth radiant heating mats.

Ceramic, Porcelain, and Stone Tile

Stone and Tile are the ideal types of flooring to be used with all radiant heating systems. They do not expand nor contract with heat easily giving them higher maximum temperatures. Being particularly resistant to warping or cracking, make ceramic, porcelain, and stone tiles the best choice for radiant heating floor coverings. QuietWarmth Peel and Stick makes installation easier than ever. The mats simply stick to the subfloor and allow the tiling to be installed over the same day. The radiant heat film is also integrated with a waterproof anti-fracture membrane which helps isolate cracks up to 3/8-inch wide.

Woods

Hardwood

Installing hardwood over a radiant heating system can be tricky, but also extremely comfortable if executed correctly. Hardwoods can be affected fairly easily by sudden temperature changes. This makes it extremely important to raise the floor’s heating temperature gradually being careful not to damage the flooring. Factors like the type of wood, sawn style, and acclimation all play a role in the hardwood’s ability to work with radiant heating systems. MacDonald Hardwood’s blog goes into deeper detail about these factors.

Keep in mind nail-down hardwood installations will not work with QuietWarmth as the nails will puncture the film, disrupting the connection of the mat. QuietWarmth Peel and Stick is suitable for glue-down applications of hardwood flooring. If you have pre-existing hardwood floors and have access to the floor joists, QuietWarmth Retrofit Radiant heating mats can be installed in between your floor’s joists.

Engineered Hardwoods

A wood flooring option that is better suited to be used with radiant heating systems is engineered hardwood flooring. The arrangement of thin layers of solid wood or fiberboard. As a result of multi-layer construction, the planks are more dimensionally stable, with less room for movement, allowing the flooring to withstand changes in temperature and humidity much better than traditional hardwood floors. The ability to float most engineered hardwoods makes them more ideal for installation over concrete subfloors.

Although engineered hardwood flooring is more compatible than standard hardwood, the adhesives and wood species will still play an important role. Since Engineered Hardwoods can be floated or glued, they are compatible with all three types of QuietWarmth. QuietWarmth for floating floors, QuietWarmth Peel and Stick, or QuietWarmth Retrofit.

Carpet

Carpet is a suitable choice for radiant floor heating systems. However, it is not a quality conductor of heat. In consequence, your feet will stay warm but it will be more difficult to begin to heat the entire room. QuietWarmth cannot be installed directly underneath carpets. However, QuietWarmth retrofit can be installed underneath the floor in between the joists as stated before. The benefit of installing Retrofit mats is the ability to install radiant heat at any time without ripping up any of your existing flooring.

Warranties

Some flooring manufacturers will void the warranty if you install radiant heating underneath. It is not always because the flooring is incompatible, but because they do not want any extra potential factors of creating flooring failure. If you are concerned with the warranty of your flooring being voided with the addition of radiant heat, it is best to contact the flooring manufacturer to get more information.