How does Radiant floor heating save money in heating bills?
How does Radiant floor heating save money in heating bills?
We have steam radiators throughout our home and I've been thinking about adding radiant heating to our floors. I'm just curious as to how it saves money when it uses electricity. Do radiant heated floors last longer when holding in warmth more?
Can they be installed underneath wood flooring or do I need to pour concrete over them and then install wood floors?
thanks.
Answers:
Chosen Answer
everythingchanges: This is typically used with hot water circulation rather than steam.
Electric radiant will not save you money.
You need to do more research to see what is best for your situation.
2010-03-31 13:08:54
everythingchanges: This is typically used with hot water circulation rather than steam.
Electric radiant will not save you money.
You need to do more research to see what is best for your situation.
2010-03-31 13:08:54
g-man: The premise behind radiant heat saving you money comes from the fact that heat rises. If your floor is heated then every level from the floor up is heated instead of having warm air blow into the room and immediately begin to rise to the ceiling where the warming effects do little good in keeping the occupants comfortable.
As far as if its economical for you, that depends on what your local electricity costs and the insulation factors of your home. Provided those energy costs are low enough it could be beneficial in saving you some money but if not, then alternative methods are the way to go. I don't believe that you would be able to install them directly under wood floors because part of their benefit is derived from the fact the system heats a thernal mass in the form of a concrete slab which in turn gives off that heat slowly even when the heating elements themselves are cycled off.
I believe that in most areas the more efficient means of radiant heat is hot water circulation in place of electricity.
2010-04-01 05:55:41
As far as if its economical for you, that depends on what your local electricity costs and the insulation factors of your home. Provided those energy costs are low enough it could be beneficial in saving you some money but if not, then alternative methods are the way to go. I don't believe that you would be able to install them directly under wood floors because part of their benefit is derived from the fact the system heats a thernal mass in the form of a concrete slab which in turn gives off that heat slowly even when the heating elements themselves are cycled off.
I believe that in most areas the more efficient means of radiant heat is hot water circulation in place of electricity.
2010-04-01 05:55:41