How does a radiant floor heating system work? When a house calls for heat, warm water is circulated through hundreds of feet of plastic tubing embedded in a slab floor. By utilizing the thermal performance of the concrete, heat is distributed evenly across the floor. When the wall thermostat says the house is warm, the water circulating pump is shut off.

What heat sources are used? One advantage of radiant heat is that you have several options when selecting the heat source. The water being pumped through the floor is between 80° and 130° F. This low temperature requirement makes the system suitable to virtually any heat source: wood, gas, geothermal or solar, depending on the building's design and location as well as the owner's lifestyle.

What are the cost benefits of operating a H.R.F. system?
Studies show that a hydronic radiant floor (H.R.F.) system, compared to a conventional heating system, will save the consumer between 20% and 40% per month on heating bills. With H.R.F. heating, you have reduced infiltration losses, reduced stratification, reduced distribution losses and reduced parasitic energy losses.

What are some other advantages of radiant heat?
The main advantage is comfort. With radiant heat, the heat is near the floor where you need it. There is very little stratification of air temperature. The floor and ceiling temperatures will vary only 1 or 2 degrees Fahrenheit.

Unlike forced air and wood heat systems, there are no drafts with radiant heat, so average room temperatures can be decreased by 3 degrees to 6 degrees Fahrenheit. Reducing air movement in a room also reduces dust particle movement, resulting in a cleaner and healthier living space.

The moisture content of rooms is more stable, because the air is not dehumidified.

Quiet operation is another benefit of a hydronic radiant floor. You do not hear fan or blower motors.

Except for the wall thermostat, there is no sign of the heating system. There are no baseboard units along walls, no warm-air registers and no cold-air returns. In addition to being more aesthetically pleasing, the owner is not hampered with placement of furniture.