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.