Radiant floor heating systems are a valuable addition to your house, be it old or a new one. As the heating system provides consistent heat through the house, it has increasingly become a popular option for all homeowners. It is one of the most efficient ways to heat the home. Installing a floor heating system is an investment. Hence, it is crucial that you know all there is to know about it to make the right decision for yourself and your house.
What type of system do you want to install?
There are two types of floor heating systems – electric and hydronic. Whether you should go for electric or hydronic depends on whether you want to heat the entire house or just small areas. For heating small and individual rooms like bedroom and bathroom, you should opt for the electric heating system. In contrast, the hydronic heating system has been designed to heat the entire home. This stem is more complex and uses hot water pumped through pipes to heat the house.
How old is your home?
When installing a radiant floor heating system, the difference between a new home and renovating an old building needs to be kept in mind. There is some extra flexibility with a new house as the flooring has not been installed, and you don’t have to worry about ripping anything up. So, this makes installing the heating system easier. Whereas in existing houses, you would have to consider ripping the entire floor throughout the house.
Are you planning to get the heating system for your main house or vacation home?
If you plan to get a radiant floor heating system for a vacation home where you might only spend sometime in a year, it is not such a great idea. This type of heating system is perfect for maintaining a consistent temperature over a period of time. It also doesn’t work quickly as it takes some time for the heat to disperse through the floor evenly. Hence, it is suggested that you set the temperature and leave it for a long time.
Where are you planning to install the heating system?
As the name states, this type of heating system is installed chiefly under floors. But if you are installing it in an already existing house, you would have to consider tearing up your existing floor to install it. In such a situation, you can also put these systems in the walls or ceilings. But the system works the best and most efficiently when it has been installed under the flooring.
What type of flooring do you have?
The flooring material has a significant impact as the heating system will be the most effective if the floors conduct heat well. Tile and laminate floorings are great examples and are some of the highly recommended flooring materials. You can also use materials like carpet. These systems provide excellent warmth to your homes and make winters more comfortable.