Save Money & Energy with Heated Floors

Did you know radiant floor heating is the most energy-efficient method of space heating? Heated floors use radiant heat transfer to warm up the floor, as well as the people and objects in a room, so you can experience optimal comfort and energy savings. If you're not already using heated floors in your home, it's about time you replace your forced air or baseboard system with underfloor heating. Here are some ways you can save money and energy with heated floors: 

Minimize Heat Loss

With baseboard and forced air heating systems, energy can be lost through ducts. Underfloor heating systems don’t use air ducts or other mechanical equipment that can result in heat loss. Heat loss is also greater in conventional systems because the heat is concentrated at the top half a room, where heat loss is highest. Heated floors, however, don't cause heat to rise to the ceiling and instead evenly distribute warmth throughout the bottom half of a space.

Lower Your Thermostat

As just described, heat doesn't rise to the ceiling with heated floors. Instead, heat is kept where it's needed most—on the people in the room. This efficient distribution of heat allows a home's occupants to feel more comfortable with their thermostat set to a lower temperature. According to the Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), radiant floor heating allows people to be comfortable at temperatures 6 to 8 degrees F lower than conventional systems like forced air and baseboard heat. 

Heat Your Home in Zones

With heated floors you can set different areas of your home to different temperatures, depending on how often they're used. For instance, you can apply more heat to high-traffic rooms, such as the living room, bedrooms, bathroom and entryways, and lower the thermostat in low-traffic spaces. 

Utilize Off-Peak Energy Costs 

Your electric company may offer cheaper rates for off-peak usage. Take advantage of these lower rates by heating up your floor during off-peak hours, such as overnight, and then turning it off during the day. Once it's warmed up, your floor will retain the heat throughout the day and periodically release it even if the system is turned off. 

These are some ways you can save money and energy with heated floors. Visit us online at www.ThermoSoft.com to learn more about radiant floor heating.

Electric In Floor Heating Systems are Easy to Install

Are you thinking about installing electric in floor heating in your home? ThermoFloor from ThermoSoft is the radiant floor heating system of choice for wood, laminate, carpet and vinyl floors. It's the world's only three-in-one underfloor heating pad, which provides radiant heating, thermal insulation and sound protection. ThermoFloor is also made with ThermoSoft's proprietary FiberThermics technology to prevent overheating, moisture and damage.

Installing ThermoFloor in your home is easy. Unlike with other heating systems, the installation process does not require the help of a specialized contractor; the process can be completed by the homeowner in little time.

For a complete guide to installing ThermoFloor in floor heating, review the Installation Manual. Read on for a brief overview of the installation process. No cement is required.

Installing ThermoFloor

Step 1

Roll out the underfloor heating pads. Arrange them to fit the heated area.

Step 2

Fill in the non-heated areas with your Insulayment sound and temperature insulating pads.

Step 3

Install the floor temperature sensor. Run the lead wire from the ends of each pad to the electric box.

Step 4

Install the thermostat and make the electrical connections.

Step 5

If you have glued laminate or wood floors, glue ThermoFloor to the subfloor. Then glue the laminate or wood floor to ThermoFloor. For wall-to-carpet, carpet tile or vinyl tile, install the fiberboard over ThermoFloor.

Step 6

Follow the manufacturer's instructions to install the floor covering.

This is a basic overview of the ThermoFloor installation process. To ensure the proper installation of your in floor heating system, be sure to read and follow the detailed instructions provided with your order. If you have additional questions about the installation process, please contact ThermoSoft by calling 800.308.8057. To learn more about the benefits of in floor heating and our industry-leading heated floors, visit www.ThermoSoft.com.

Electric vs. Hydronic Radiant Floor Heating

Radiant floor heating is the heating method of choice for homeowners across the U.S. and Canada. Heated floors offer optimal comfort and energy savings and don't circulate dust and allergens around a home like forced air systems do. While you're probably familiar will all the benefits of radiant floor heating, what you may not know is there are two underfloor heating options to choose from— electric and hydronic. Read on to learn more about these radiant floor heating systems.

Electric

As the name suggests, electric heated floors use electricity to heat your floor. Electric heated floors consist of mats that are wired with resistance electrical cables and deliver an even distribution of heat. This type of radiant floor heating is cheaper and easier to install than the hydronic alternative, as it requires no water heaters, pumps or extra equipment. Electric floors are ideal for heating single rooms, such as the bathroom, kitchen or bedroom. It's also beneficial in spaces that have a large thermal mass and where electricity providers offer time-of-use electricity rates.

Hydronic

A hydronic radiant floor uses water to heat your floor. The water is heated in a boiler and then moves through pipes located under the floor. While hydronic floors can be cheaper to operate than electric radiant floors, they do not provide the same level of comfort, and they are more costly and difficult to install. Since the water has to move through a series of pipes after it is heated, water near the end of the pipe is cooler compared to the water at the beginning. Also, hydronic floors involve multiple mechanical parts, which put it at a higher risk for ruptures and malfunction. 

At ThermoSoft, we offer the industry's best radiant floor heating products. Our heated flooring solutions are ideal for all types of flooring, including ceramic, hardwood, laminate, carpet and vinyl. For more information about our heated floors, contact 800-308-8057.

5 Reasons You'll Love ThermoTile

Are you thinking about making the switch to radiant floor heating? Radiant floor heating, which has been around since the days of ancient Rome, is becoming the preferred method of room heating in the United States and Canada. While floor heating can be installed to various types of flooring, radiant heating is particularly beneficial for cold ceramic, porcelain and stone tile floors. 

Whether you're seeking underfloor heating for tile floors in your bathroom, kitchen or foyer, look no further than ThermoTile— ThermoSoft's industry-leading electric floor heating system for tile floors. ThermoTile has many advantages over conventional heating as well as other underfloor heating systems. Here's why you'll fall in love with ThermoTile:

1. Increased Comfort. One of the major advantages of ThermoTile is the quality comfort it provides. This floor heating system delivers an even distribution of heat to warm up the people and objects in the room and maintain a comfortable room temperature. ThermoTile can be wired to a programmable thermostat, allowing you to keep the room at the temperature you desire.

2. Money and Energy Savings. With ThermoTile, there are several ways you can save money. First, when you buy ThermoTile, you are purchasing it directly from us, the manufacturer, so you'll save money up front. Also, because of its effectiveness at delivering heat, most people with radiant heating systems feel comfortable setting their thermostat to a lower temperature than they would with a conventional heating system, such as forced air, hydronic or baseboard systems. As a result, you'll conserve energy and reduce your utility bills.

3. Innovative Construction. What really sets ThermoTile apart from other underfloor heating systems is its unique and innovative construction. In fact, there is no other heating system engineered like it. Made with FiberThermics, ThermoTile provides advanced heat protection and prevents overheating, while the four layers of insulation defend against moisture and mechanical damage. ThermoTile is also made with commercial-grade fiberglass mesh for easy installation and increased floor strength. Last but not least, the Zero EMF (electromagnetic field) eliminates any interference with radios, telephones, TVs, pacemakers and hearing aids, while ThermoTile's ultra-thin construction minimizes raising the floor.

4. Ease of Installation. Our tile floor heating system is not difficult to install. The installation process involves four easy steps: lay out the mat, spread a thin application of mortar, lay the tile, and then connect the system to the thermostat. 

5. Lifetime Warranty. When you buy ThermoTile, you'll receive a lifetime warranty. If you choose to sell your home, the warranty and be transferred to the new homeowner.

These are just some of the many reasons you'll love our tile floor heating system. For more information about ThermoTile, please contact us at 800.308.8057.

Therapeutic Benefits of Radiant Floor Heating for Seniors

Radiant floor heating systems are becoming increasingly popular across North America due to the amazing benefits they offer. In fact, radiant floor heating is the most efficient way to heat a space. Unlike conventional heating systems, heated floors radiate heat from the floor up and directly supply heat to the people and objects in a room.

While everyone can benefit from radiant floor heating, these systems are particularly advantageous for seniors. As we get older, we tend to become more sensitive to temperature changes and need to be more conscious of our health. Heated floors offer many therapeutic benefits for seniors, which allow them to maintain a comfortable and healthy environment. Here are some key reasons why seniors should install an underfloor heating system in their home.

1.       Increased Comfort. An underfloor heating system creates a more comfortable environment for seniors. Changes in temperature can be bothersome for older individuals, and heated floors allow them to maintain the environment they want. Heated floors efficiently distribute heat, and as a result, those who use radiant floor heating feel comfortable setting their thermostat at lower temperature. The warmth from heated floors can also provide relief to seniors who experience stiff joints.

2.       Silent Operation. Whereas forced air and hydronic baseboard heat systems are noisy, underfloor heating systems operate quietly. There are no swooshing, gurgling or creaking sounds from fans, air ducts, pumps or radiators. With heated floors, seniors can enjoy a comfortable and quiet environment.

3.       Better Air Quality. As we age, we become more vulnerable to a wide range of health issues, which makes maintaining a healthy indoor air quality even more essential. Air-forced systems blow dust, mold and other allergens into the air and circulate them around the house, which can be harmful to a senior's health. This issue, however, is not present with heated floors. By switching to radiant heating, seniors can experience improved air quality and protect themselves from allergens and toxins.

Reap the many benefits of radiant floor heating by installing heated floors in your home. Underfloor heating systems can be installed to both new and existing homes and all kinds of flooring types, including ceramic and stone tile, vinyl and carpet tile, wall-to-wall carpet, wood and laminate. Contact ThermoSoft today to learn about our industry-leading radiant floor heating products.