There are basically three types of radiant floor heating. In one type, channels or tubes under the floor are warmed by warm water. Another type of radiant floor is warmed through electricity, and the third type is warmed through the movement of air. All of these floors require little maintenance and are invisible and largely silent. Water based or hydroponic systems are the most popular but they’re a bit complicated and require that the system be hooked up to a water heater or a boiler. Electrical radiant floors are much simpler to install and maintain. These types of floor work through cables that are beneath the floor, or through plastic mats that can conduct electricity. Air based radiant heat flooring isn’t very efficient and is rarely used in homes.
Electrical radiant floors also come with their own thermostat, so their temperature isn’t dependent on the thermostat or thermostats that control the rest of the house. To install one require a GFCI or ground fault circuit interrupter protected 15 to 20 amp circuit. The electrical radiant floor in an average size bathroom only uses about the same amount of energy as a trio of 100 watt bulbs. An electrical radiant floor is also easy for a homeowner with basic skills to install, though he or she will need a licensed electrician to hook up the system.
These types of floors are environmentally friendly because they don’t need a lot of energy to run them, especially in a small space. Indeed, when they’re turned off they can keep a floor warm for a long time, especially a floor made out of dense material like concrete. This is not only eco-friendly but saves the homeowner money as well. It also cuts down on heat loss because there are no ducts, and unlike a forced air system an electrical radiant heating system doesn’t spread allergens into the air of a room.
Electrical radiant heating is also good for rooms like bathrooms and mudrooms because these rooms are more likely to have floors covered with ceramic tile, which is a good conductor of heat. Ceramic tile can also hold the heat even when the system has been turned off. Carpets or other materials that insulate the floor aren’t the best materials to use over an electrical radiant floor.
To learn more about electric floor heating and its effect on the environment please visit http://www.heattechproducts.
Harold Harris says
January 17, 2013 at 5:40 amI suppose every type of heating will affect environment, but we can reduce little with electric radiant Heating.