Plumbing & Heating, Inc.

Radiant Heating Question and Answers

SOME OF YOU HAVE ALREADY HEARD OF  THIS SYSTEM OF HEATING.  MOST HAVE NO CLUE OF WHAT RADIANT IS ALL ABOUT. AND IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT HEATING YOUR HOUSE.

Why are radiant floor heating systems so comfortable?

•     The answer is simple.  Warm floors are created by warm water pumped through plastic pipe in the floors.  This type of heating is known as hydronic radiant floor heating (HRF).

How does it work

•     Often a boiler provides water that is pumped through the plastic tubing which turns the floors into a large low temperature radiator.  Other sources of heated water such as hot water heaters, waste heat recovery systems, solar hot water heating, etc. may be used instead of depending on the boiler,  Heat is transferred evenly and quietly from the floor.  Since the heat comes from the floor your feet are never cold and the heat stratification associated with forced air heat is almost non existent.

How is it controlled

•     A thermostat or sensor controls a valve that opens and closed to allow heated water to flow into a zone and maintain the temperature set for the time period set.  HRF systems are easily zoned which can save significant amounts of energy

Common Methods of Radiant Floor Design

•     Slab on Grade - Tubing is generally tied to rebar or meshing.  Top of radiant tubing is generally 2 to 3" under finish slab.
•     Suspended Floor - Tubing is tide down to the wood sub-floor and then covered with gyp-crete or mud set.
•     Under Sub-floor -  The tubing is attached to the underside of the sub-floor with or without metal heat transfer plates

Common Uses for Radiant Heat

•     Residential and Commercial Radiant Floor Heating - heat every foot in your house, office or building.  This system has also been known to be used for melting snow on roofing.
•     Snow-melting -  Our ice and snow prevention systems automatically melt snow and ice by circulating antifreeze through piping embedded in concrete or beneath brick pavers.
•     Electric Floor Warming - "Spot warm" smaller areas  using a low profile, easy to install electric heating mat,  It's low profile (1/8") barely raises the floor height, making it perfect for new construction and remodeling.

Advantages to using Radiant Heat

•     It's Clean.  Doesn't stain walls form dirty forced air.  Doesn't have grills on the floor that collect toys, crayons, food, dust balls, etc.  Doesn't blow or re-circulate  dust and pollens. Doesn't collect cobwebs or spiders like baseboard.
•     It's Safe.  Kids cant get their fingers caught in radiator grills or baseboard heaters.  No sharp edges to clean.
•     No Cold spots in the house. 

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