Electric Radiant Floor Heating

Electric radiant floor heating systems are designed to be used under area rugs, stone, tile, carpet and laminate wood flooring. They have been used for more than 30 years in countries like Australia, South Africa and Europe.

Electric floor heating is unique due to its flexibility in installation. A system that employs this method of heating uses looped heating coils that are packed in by four layers of polyester, with the final product measuring less than a sixteenth of an inch. The extremely thin construction results in the heater being thin and flexible enough so that it can be installed under the laminate wood or between the carpet and its pad without affecting the floor height. Installers could simply use the easy-to-follow directions for installation, which come with each system. After it has been positioned, the leads from the mats could be connected to an electrical circuit of 120 volts or could simply be plugged into a standard wall outlet. If the system will be hard-wired, a qualified electrician should be the one to do the final electrical connection. 

Aside from the installation, owners of these systems need not do any maintenance anymore. These systems are very economical to operate. Without any moving parts that could wear out or any filters that need to be changed, the system can virtually run by itself after programming the thermostat. You can just set the system’s thermostat and go on with whatever you need to do. Another good thing about it is that the average cost of heating a room with a floor area of 320 square feet for 10 hours a day is less than a dollar. The radiant heat warms the room starting from the ground up, which eliminates the zone of cold air near the floor that is usually brought about by the traditional heating systems.

Studies have shown that the largest household energy expense is heating. It account for nearly two thirds of the annual energy bills of those living in the country’s colder areas. The ability of radiant heat to warm a home starting from the ground going up which results in even heat distribution makes homes more comfortable to live in, as well as more energy-efficient. Electric radiant floor heating also makes the air in your home safer to breathe in as it decreases the levels of pollen, dust and mold which can be spread by the conventional heating systems that use forced air.

We have information on the types of systems available and what you can expect the various costs to be, as well as an overview of the installation process. We hope this information will help you decide whether this type of floor heat is suitable for your home.