The Principle Of Radiant Floor Heating
Radiant Floor Heating Technologies
Everyone seems to be raving about radiant in floor heating Toronto. The ultimate in comfort heating, the must-have for a modern home and the cost effective choice.
You have seen the commercials and you have wondered in silent skepticism whether it can be as good as it is made out to be.
Well, here’s the low down on this ancient type of heating which is fast gaining traction and is looked upon with renewed interest by homeowners in Canada.
Understanding The Concept Of Radiant Heat
A radiant heating system either has a network of electric heating coils or a network of PEX tubes running under the home’s floors. This radiates heat and warms everything that it comes into contact with from the ground up. This is similar to what happens when you step into the sun from the shade. You instantly feel warm even though the temperature is the same. The sun is heating the object that it comes into contact with.
Radiant heating results in a more even temperature throughout the room as compared to a forced air system which results in alternating pockets of hot and cold temperature. In a forced air system the hot air rises to the top of the room and hence, the surface is always colder. Also, areas of the room that are farther away from the vent are colder.
A room heated using a floor heating system on the other hand has a comfortable and uniform heat signature that is also healthier.
All these above mentioned reasons also make it an extremely cost effective choice as compared to other forms of heating, like a radiator.
How Long Does It Take To Heat The Room?
A radiant in floor heating Toronto is not the most responsive one. So, it takes some time to warm up and for you to feel the change in temperature. For this reason, it comes equipped with smart thermostats which are best if they are left on continually.
The thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature according to the prevalent weather and the number of people in the room. It can also be programmed to automatically reduce the temperature to barely keep the system warm when the house is unoccupied.
This helps to eliminate or reduce the warm up time that is normally taken for the system to heat up.
What Kind Of Flooring Does It Work Best With?
The best type of flooring to be used with a floor heating system is one that offers excellent thermal conductivity. In simple terms, any material that allows the fast and uninterrupted transfer of heat to the floor surface is a good choice. The best choices are tile and stone. Not only do these have excellent conductivity, they also retain heat well and the thickness has zero effect on the heat output.
Wood has a tendency to expand and contract naturally when exposed to temperature and moisture fluctuations. So, installers typically float wooden boards on a large polythene foam. Also, depending on the type of wood, its conductivity varies.
