Floor Heating

What is floor heating?

Floor heating, also known as radiant floor heating, is a type of heating system that is installed beneath the flooring of a home or building. The system works by using hot water pipes or electric heating elements, to transfer heat to the floor surface. This heat then radiates upwards, warming the air in the room and creating a comfortable living space. Unlike traditional forced-air heating systems, which rely on blowing warm air through ducts, floor heating provides more even heat distribution and can be more energy efficient.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

- Comfort: Heated floors provide a comfortable and even heat distribution throughout the space.
- Energy Efficiency: Radiant floor heating can be more energy efficient than traditional forced-air heating systems.
- Aesthetics: Since the heating system is hidden beneath the flooring, it doesn't take up any wall space or detract from the room's design.
- Quiet: Radiant heating systems are typically very quiet, since there are no fans or blowers necessary.

Cons:

- Installation: Installing a hot water floor heating system can be expensive and time-consuming, especially if you are retrofitting an existing space.
- Maintenance: While these systems are generally low-maintenance, repairs can be challenging if there is an issue with the underground piping.
- Cost: Radiant heating systems can be more expensive to install than traditional heating systems.
- Slow Heating: Radiant floor heating can take longer to heat up a room than a forced-air system, so it may not be ideal for spaces that need to be heated quickly.

Installation Process

1. Design: This involves determining the size of the heating system, the type of tubing to be used, and the type of water heater.

2. Subfloor Preparation: Before installing the tubing, the subfloor must be prepared. Shown as picture above, use special floor prep materials, ensuring the subfloor is level and clean, and adding insulation.

3. Tubing Installation: The hot water tube is secured to the subfloor using heat exchanger caps.

4. Manifold Installation: The manifold, which is the central control system for the heating system, is installed.

5. Pressure Testing: The system is then pressure tested to ensure there are no leaks in the tubing.

6. Flooring Installation: Once the tubing is in place and the system is tested, the flooring is installed on top.