Benefits Of Heated Concrete Floors
re you looking for ways to save on winter energy bills and create a healthier, more comfortable living environment?
Forced air heating is not the only solution for keeping your home warm. Thanks to their thermal properties, concrete floors are great for radiant heating.
A radiant in-floor heating system uses tubes that circulate hot water or electrical heating elements, which are installed in the concrete slab when it's poured, turning the concrete into a radiator or heat source.
If your concrete is already installed, newer ultra-thin electric heating mats can be embedded in thin-set cement or gypsum overlays, allowing retrofitting over existing slabs.
Here are some benefits why you should invest in radiant in-floor heating.
Healthier In-Door Air Quality
Compared to traditional forced air heating, radiant heating is healthier because no air is blown through dusty or dirty ducts, which can circulate airborne pollutants. Dust-free heating can be particularly beneficial for people suffering from asthma, allergies or other breathing problems. You can further increase the air quality by installing decorative concrete floors rather than carpet.
Eco-Friendly
Concrete radiant in-floor heating offers numerous environmental benefits because of its energy efficiency and graft-free heat.
Radiant heating requires less energy to achieve better thermal comfort at lower thermostat settings while improving indoor air quality. You can use radiant heating with energy-efficient heat sources, such as geothermal and solar. Heating systems that use PEX tubing expedite hot water delivery while reducing water waste and providing better insulation than copper tubes.
It reduces building materials required for hiding ductwork and provides more usable living areas in smaller spaces.
Comfortable Concrete Floors
With radiant heating, your home will finally have even, quiet, draft-free heat. Say goodbye to the annoying hot and cold spots around your home. Compared to forced-air heating, where hot air quickly rises to the ceiling level, with radiant heating, the heat stays evenly distributed at floor level, making it hot on your feet and comfortable for your pets.
Invisible And Silent
One of the main benefits of a concrete radiant heating system is that it is completely concealed under the floor and doesn't clutter walls and rooms with air vents or wall radiators. Say goodbye to the noisy fans of a forced-air system or the clanging pipes of a wall radiator. Other than feeling warm and comfortable, you won't even notice the system is operating.