Radiant Floor Heating

Radiant Floor Heating

WavesHVAC, in partnership with Gemini Floor Services, specializes in the installation of radiant floor heating systems. We handle every step of the installation process, ensuring seamless integration with your HVAC and flooring needs. Visit WavesHVAC for more information.

Radiant floor heating is an efficient way to heat your entire home or specific rooms. Hydronic systems, the most common type, offer significant energy savings, reducing heating costs by 30-50%. These systems circulate hot water through plastic tubing beneath the floor to provide heat. Electric systems, while more costly to operate, use cables to heat the floor and are ideal for smaller areas like bathrooms. Both systems can incorporate reflective heat transfer panels to direct heat upward, ensuring an even and comfortable warmth throughout the room.

Benefits of Hydronic Radiant Floor Heating Systems

Hydronic floor heating systems are among the most energy-efficient options available when compared to other heating systems, such as forced air or mini-split heat pumps. While the initial installation cost may be about 50% higher than other systems, the investment quickly pays off through significant savings on heating bills. This system offers the most even heat distribution and the highest level of comfort, ensuring there are no cold spots or temperature fluctuations throughout the room or home. Unlike other systems that may leave floors cold or create uneven warmth, radiant floor heating delivers constant and uniform heat.

Since heat naturally rises, heating from the floor is the most efficient method. Other systems often warm the air above while leaving the floor cold. Water boilers used in hydronic heating also operate efficiently by using relatively low energy to heat the water, leading to substantial energy savings.

Radiant floor heating can quickly warm up rooms and provides the added benefit of individual room thermostats, allowing you to control the temperature in each space.

This system is also incredibly quiet, eliminating the pinging or blowing sounds commonly associated with forced air systems. Additionally, because there is no air movement, no dust or allergens are circulated around the room.

Radiant floor heating works best with flooring materials such as ceramic or stone, which have the highest heat transfer properties. Engineered wood also performs well, while solid hardwood, although effective, can expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes, leading to gaps between the boards.

The ideal time to install radiant floor heating is when you’re putting in new flooring. Any water heater in good condition is suitable for use with a radiant system, and the system remains efficient regardless of whether the water is heated by gas, electric, wood, oil, or solar. To maximize efficiency, a newer gas modulating and condensing boiler is the most effective option.