What are heated floors, and why is radiant heat becoming so popular? Can a floor heating system really provide adequate warmth for the whole house during winters in Rochester? Are heated floors easy and affordable to operate, and is radiant heat really energy efficient?
One of the reasons why radiant floor heating systems are becoming so popular is that radiant heat is hands down, the most efficient interior heating technology available today. Because of the efficiency and innate characteristics of radiant heat, floor heating systems can operate at a slightly lower temperature than forced-air systems and yet still provide superior comfort. And yes, radiant heated floors can be used to heat entire homes (even during Rochester winters); however, the most popular application is installing radiant heat in select rooms to supplement the existing heating system. As far as home improvement projects go, heated floors are an economical way to update your home and boost your equity.
Radiant heating systems utilize a heating element (usually thin heat resistance cable) that is embedded under the floor. Each room (or zone) is controlled by its own thermostat, giving homeowners precise control over their systems. There are no leaky or whistling vents where heat is wasted, and no heat loss from air being blown through ductwork.
With radiant heat, the warmth spreads from the cable (heating element) through the floor and then throughout the room, warming objects and people in the process. The reason why the systems are so efficient is that there is virtually no heat loss. Warmth simply radiates throughout the room, providing luxurious, comfortable warmth from the feet up.
Electric radiant floor heating systems operate silently and are maintenance free. There’s no need to worry about replacing filters or cleaning vents and ducts. Because radiant heat does not use a blower, dust and allergens are not circulated throughout the house — unlike forced-air systems. The only evidence of a radiant floor heating system is heavenly comfort and a small thermostat on the wall.
While there are many benefits and advantages of radiant heat, none are more compelling than the exquisite warmth it offers. Explore the options and call us if you have any questions.
As a radiant heat leader, Warmzone® carries one of the largest selections of floor heating systems around. Below are just some of Warmzone’s industry-leading systems. For details about each system, call a Warmzone representative today. We’re happy to answer your questions and provide you with information to help you decide if radiant heat is for you. Call us today at 888.488.9276.
ComfortTile®: Warmzone’s most popular floor heating system, ComfortTile, features thin, durable heat cable that is versatile enough to be used for a variety of floor surfaces. While it is especially recommended for heating tile, marble, and stone floors, the system is compatible with all standard sub-flooring materials and is commonly used to heat laminate and carpeted floors as well.
The cable is available in lengths off the spool or pre-spaced in mats. The free standing cable allows installers to easily install the cable in tight spaces to warm custom-shaped rooms and areas. The heating mats feature cable that is pre-spaced and affixed to a flexible mesh with an adhesive backing that secures the cable to the subfloor. The heating mats can greatly reduce installation time by facilitating quick and easy “roll-out” installation. ComfortTile floor warming mats are pre-terminated for use with 120 and 240V, and are available in various lengths. The heating mats heat an area 24-inches wide. The ComfortTile floor heating cable comes with an impressive 25-year warranty.
In-Slab™ Floor Heating: Warmzone carries a durable heating cable that is designed for installation in concrete slabs. The In-Slab floor heating system is highly efficient and affordable, making it popular among homeowners. The heat cable is larger and more robust than other floor heating cables because it is designed to withstand the heavy stress of concrete pours. Because of the thermal properties of concrete whereby the slab retains heat for long periods, the In-Slab system is an economical and highly efficient floor heating solution. Given its price, performance, and efficiency, In-Slab heat cable is a long-standing, trusted choice for heating basement floors. In-Slab floor heating cable carries a 10-year manufacturer warranty.
FilmHeat™: This remarkable, innovative system utilizes a paper-thin heating element that is ideal for warming floating floors, such as laminate, wood, LVT, bamboo, etc. Because it is so thin (0.016-inch thick) there is no floor buildup. FilmHeat offers one of the best values and is a very popular choice for heating laminate and floating floors. The heating panels are UL approved and carry a 25-year warranty.
RetroHeat®: RetroHeat also uses a modified FilmHeat heating element that allows homeowners to install radiant heat without pulling up existing floors. If you have access to the floor joists (basement or crawl space), the heating element can be stapled up between the joists. Batt insulation is installed over the heating element to direct the heat upward to warm the floor. This system provides an affordable and effective means for heating existing floors, and can be used with most types of flooring. RetroHeat is UL approved and carries a 25-year warranty.
FoilHeat™: The FoilHeat system consists of thin fluoropolymer insulated heating cables that are sandwiched between two layers of specially reinforced aluminum foil. The heating mats are available in predetermined lengths with cold tail and can be cut onsite to fit custom-shaped areas. The FoilHeat system can be used to heat laminate, engineered wood, glued hardwood, and other types of floating floors.
FoilHeat is easy to install and can be cut onsite to fit custom-shaped areas. The heating panels are UL, ETL, NEMKO and CE listed and EMC certified for safety. The system carries a 10-year warranty.
Prodeso® Floor Heating Membrane: The Prodeso system utilizes a thin flexible membrane that is designed for heating floors without expansion joints in the screed. It is almost ¼-inch thick and can be installed over the entire subfloor as an uncoupling, crack isolating and waterproofing membrane. The membrane has pre-engineered channels for the ComfortTile heat cable. This facilitates quick and accurate cable spacing.
Warmzone offers one of the largest selections of radiant floor heating systems around, including others in addition to the systems listed above. Residents in Rochester can be assured of finding the ideal system for heating their specific floor types. We'll gladly explain the features and benefits of each system and answer any questions that you may have. Finding a trusted installer is important when investing in a radiant heating system. Warmzone maintains a network of experienced radiant heat installers, so we may be able to recommend experienced professionals in your area. Please don't hesitate to contact us to learn more.
Warmzone also carries a wide variety of the industry's most trusted and proven radiant snow melting systems (heated driveways) as well as residential and commercial roof de-icing solutions. Warmzone is your complete radiant heat system and services provider. For more information about radiant heated floors, or other radiant heat applications, call Warmzone today at 888.488.9276.
888-488-9276
info@warmzone.com
