Home & Garden

Since I grew up and currently live in the northeast section of the United States, I know what it feels like to be cold. For those of you who did not grow up in a cold climate, you cannot fully appreciate cold weather. Many of the homes built before the 21st century were equipped with traditional forced air heating systems. However, over the past decade, there have been some changes in home heating technology.

A technology feature that has become very popular in new home builds is radiant heat technology. A good example of how radiant technology works is to use the sun as an example. Even though we are not standing directly underneath or next to the sun we can stand in the sunlight and be warmed. This same theory is used in radiant heating systems–even though you are not standing directly atop of the heating device it will heat evenly so all parts of the area are warmed.

Radiant Heat Benefits
Manufactures who sell this technology use words like comfortable, customizable, safe, reliable, efficient and convenient. Radiant heat is defiantly more economical since you do not have to run this technology near as long as forced air to get the room to the desired temperature. It can be safer, especially for young children who are more susceptible to illness. As long as they stay warm, they will have less of a chance of catching a cold.

There are many uses for radiant heat including; home flooring, patio, roof, driveway, handicap ramp, and even your sidewalk. This technology can be used inside as a comfort device or outside as a safety mechanism against snow and ice. Snow and ice can do a great deal of damage to a roof if it is not removed in a relatively short period of time.

Two Radiant Heating Methods
There are two major types of radiant heat: electric or hydronic. Electric floor heating is useful for heating smaller areas because there is practically zero maintenance needed for the system. These systems are gaining in popularity because they are maintenance free and much less expensive than hydronic.

Hydronic is more expensive than electric, but it is still the most popular choice for homeowners wishing to install a whole home heating system using radiant technology. There are many more parts involved with a hydronic system but the millions who have already installed this type of system have seen the long-term benefit. This type of heating system should not be installed by your typical weekend warrior–leave the installation to the professionals.

Radiant Heat Put to the Test
A great way to learn about the uses of radiant heat is to have it installed in the basement. As many of us know forced air heat never seems to warm the lowest portion of the home which is usually the basement. The temperature in a radiant heated room is usually uniform from ceiling to floor.

Finally, there are many options to keep in mind when you are thinking about installing a radiant heating system in your home. The most common way to install a system is when you are doing a remodeling project or building a new home. These two ways are the most practical because of the amount of work necessary when installing these heating systems.

Concrete can be one of the easiest and most convenient ways to install radiant heat. If you are planning on pouring new concrete for your driveway, patio, basement or sidewalk, then it will be very easy to install a heating system in your floor. Planning for a heated floor before you pour the concrete is much better than thinking about it after the fact.

Floor Heating Options
Americans are spending more and more of their time outside on their patios. The patio is a great place to cook, play games, entertain, or just relax. Americans from California to Maine are beginning to install heated concrete flooring on their patios. This feature can make any patio seem like a large extension of a house and more luxurious.

One other area of the house that is getting more attention with heated concrete flooring is the basement. I know I cannot stand going down stairs in my basement during the winter because of the cold floor. There are plenty of contractors out there who are willing to install tubing underneath a basement floor that will run temperature-controlled water through those tubes to make the basement floor feel like the bottom of a swimming pool rather than a sheet of ice.

The last area of the house receiving much attention lately is the driveway. The driveway is a logical choice for radiant heat because of the backbreaking labor it takes to shovel snow or ice during the winter. Many people who live in an area where snow accumulates can appreciate any help they can get from heated concrete. There are several options when installing a heating system into your driveway, so make sure you do some research before you pour your new concrete.

Who would have ever thought it was so easy to have heated floors in your house? Growing up with tile flooring and no carpet really makes me appreciate the concept of heated floors. I never knew it was possible to step out of the shower onto an 85-degree floor, or to sit in the basement without having to wear a coat.

Two Options for Floor Heating
When looking to install radiant heating into your house you may want to consider two different heating methods. The first method is called Zmesh and the other technology is called Tuff Cable. Both of these technologies will work fine but a few factors need to be looked at before you make your decision.

Zmesh is a nine or twelve-inch bronze heating element that can be placed underneath any style of flooring you so desire. This type of material can be placed under roofs, ramps, basement rugs, etc. It is very low profile, and when you install this material all you need to do is staple or nail it to the floor and then put your floor on top.

The other material you may want to keep in mind is Tuff Cable. This material is a 10-gage, coated, copper cable that is chemical and gasoline resistant. This heating element is different than Zmesh because it is designed to be installed into concrete, asphalt, mortar bed, pavers or thin set. It can be used in the house, but it may take more work to lay it underneath your current flooring.

Most people dont consider installing heating systems until they experience homes without heating vents. Many of the older homes, like mine for instance, are not as up-to-date on their heating systems. Oftentimes, the previous owners of a home simply forgot a room or two when they installed the new heating system. There are more uses for heating the floor than there are for complimenting an existing heater. But in my opinion, this is a huge benefit.

The question then becomes, what do you do if you have a room or several rooms that are not benefiting from the existing heating system. The most cost effective option is to simply buy a space heater at your local retailer for each of the rooms that are not receiving heat. This may work fine for a while, but it does not solve any long-term problems.

In Floor Heating Options
A great long-term solution that many people have been very impressed with is radiant heater system installation in the floor. This option is more expensive than space heaters, but it works much better. You can order your heating system and have it installed in a very timely manner.

A popular style of electric radiant heat is a material called Zmesh. Zmesh is a very durable and flexible bronze-heating element that can be installed right underneath your existing floor. This system does not require any concrete or wood structure. It can simply be stapled or nailed to the sub floor. If you are looking for a quick but effective fix to your home heating woes then electric radiant heat may be your best bet.

In the past, tile flooring that was cold to the touch during the summer and winter was something that many people assumed to be normal. Over the past several years companies across America have been developing equipment to install heat beneath tile flooring, to make the floor warm to the touch when you walk on it. This equipment can come in a couple of different forms. Both of them are effective but the type purchased will depend on your situation.

Keeping Your Title Floor Warm
The first kind of warming device you can purchase for your tile floor is an electronic radiant heat system. Manufacturers often recommend this product to customers who only need to install a heating system in one room at a time. The equipment is installed underneath the tile flooring, which gives it a very unobtrusive look and feel. This equipment is the least expensive option for warm tile floors.

Another option is to purchase a hydronic radiant heat system for underneath your floor. This system is much more involved to install and can be much more expensive than electric radiant heat. These systems are powered by hot water from your existing hot water system and require nearly an entire room to house the equipment needed to run the system. Even though it can be a large project to install, this system is designed to heat every room in your house rather than just one.

If you are not looking to install an elaborate system like electric or hydronic radiant heat then you may want to consider warming mats. A warming mat is a small mat with a heating element inside to keep your feet warm as you step on it. It could be used in a bathroom, kitchen, or any other living area of the house.