At Last - Barefoot Comfort All Year Long

 Ever wonder what it would feel like to walk barefoot in your house all year long and be comfortable? Electric radiant floor warming systems answer that question.
Electric radiant floor warming uses a thin mesh mat with a heating element woven throughout to heat open floor areas. Rooms such as baths and kitchens are popular places people like to have extra warmth, but don’t forget the foyer, mudroom, laundry room – or just about any room in the house!
Using radiant heat, the heat stored in the floor is similar to the heat provided by a radiator. The heated floor radiates heat to the people and objects in the room. The flooring surface is maintained at a comfortable, yet higher temperature than the ambient temperature of the floor before the heat was turned on. Since the heat is conducted and radiated from floor level up, it helps to provide a warm and comfortable environment for the occupants of the room, unlike forced air, which tends to concentrate most of the warm air near ceiling level. It provides even, uniform heat throughout the room, without the visibility of heaters or losing floor space to heating units.
For installation, the subfloor should be clear of debris and sharp edges or objects that might damage the element. Loose boards should be repaired and all gaps filled in to assure the mat will be installed over a smooth and even surface. John O’Brien, Director of Sales and Marketing for Radiant Floor Warming, a company providing electric radiant systems, says, “ Our mat is only 1/8” thick – ideal for ceramic tile and stone since it will not add to the finished floor height. Our material is fully covered by the thinset or underlayment used in the tile installation.” The ceramic tile or stone is then installed according the manufacturers’ and industry standards.
Renovations as well as new construction can benefit from electric radiant heating. Unlike a hydronic system that needs a boiler to heat the water and flexible piping throughout the heated area, electric radiant heating can be done in small open areas with “spot heating” mats designed just for that area. Consideration of permanent fixtures and furniture plays an important role since electric radiant heat is not recommended under these areas. The heat needs to dissipate and if there is a fixture flush with the floor, the heat has nowhere to escape. And besides, who wants to pay for heat you can’t feel?
Speaking of cost, one of the frequent questions is how much does it cost to run the electric radiant mats. The answer varies, depending on the length of time you have it on, the size mats you have installed, and the cost of electricity in your area. For example: a 1’x 40’ mat (15 watts per square foot) is set to turn on from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and again from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; the usage rate from the electric bill is 8 cents per kilowatt-hour. Multiply the square foot of the mat by the watts per square foot to figure total watts (40 x 15 = 600). Take the total watts and divide by 1000 to determine total kilowatts (600/1000 = .60). Multiply the total kilowatts by the usage rate found on the electric bill to figure how many cents per kilowatt hours (.60 x .08 = $0.048 per hour). It is important to realize even though a system is set to be on for several hours, it is usually only utilizing power for the first hour or so in order to initially heat to the set temperature. The thermostat will then be switching itself on and off from time to time for short intervals in order to keep the surface temperature consistent. Assuming it uses power for 2 hours during each time setting (1 hour for initial warm up and 1 hour of usage to keep the heat consistent), in our example the power would be in use for 4 hours. At the rate of $0.05 per hour, this adds only $0.20 daily to your electric bill.
Electric radiant heat offers maintenance free comfort all year long, in any kind of climate. For further information, visit http://www.radiantfloorwarming.com or contact John O’Brien at Radiant Floor Warming, 888-FLR-WARM (357-9276).

About the Author

Faith Williams is Customer Service Department Manager for Radiant Floor Warming. Radiant Floor Warming offers safe, efficient electric radiant floor warming materials for tile, stone, carpet and laminate. Visit the website at http://www.radiantfloorwarming.com or call toll free 888-FLR-WARM (357-9276).

 Faith Williams

More Articles 

Wood vs Metal Loft beds (bunk beds) - Donna Somerkin
If you are in the market for loft beds or bunk beds, a major choice is wood versus metal. Depending on the overall look and size you desire, you will want to choose a differently constructed bed. Although both materials are both sturdy...

Plumbing - Roger King
If you have ever gone camping for a weekend, you know it doesn't take long to miss running water, flushing toilets, clean clothes, and hot showers. These modern conveniences are the benefits of plumbing systems. Your house has several...

Peace of Mind for Home Inspections: Choose the Right Inspector! - Wallace J Conway
As sure as the spring flows at The Fountain of Youth, home inspecting provides a stream of knowledge to wash away the fears of home buyers. But fear may be replaced by frustration if the wrong inspector is chosen! Some pointers on selecting your...

7 Easy Faux Painting Techniques - Julie Lohmeier
In the last 10 years, faux painting techniques have gone from obscure to popular, from the realm of professionals to do-it-yourself projects. These techniques are not difficult although they can be time consuming (what decorating or remodeling...

5 Simple Steps To Sell Your House Fast! - Andrew Loh
The decision to sell your house wasn't made on the spur of the moment. It may have been spurred by the desire to live in a nicer home, the need to move for a new job or the necessity to get a handle on out-of-control costs. But whatever the reason...

Tips For Handing Your Radiant Heat Tubing - Larry B Lang
A radiant heat system is a series of radiant heat tubes that are laid within a floor, which carry hot water into specific rooms or “zones”. During the preparation and installation of a radiant heat system you should take precautionary measures...

Guide To Hiring A Roofer - Gray Rollins
The average life of a roof is approximately fifteen years. If the roof is under fifteen years old yet you are having problems, it will likely be able to get repaired as opposed to having to install a completely new roof. However, if your...

Top Pool Heater Maintenance Tips - Marcus Grant
There is nothing like a round of swimming in a warm-water pool in chilly winters. A warm water swim/ bath is a perfect exercise for your whole body and mind. In fact it is extensively used for therapeutic purposes all round the world. So...

Slow Down-It's a Construction Zone - Boise Doaglo
Everywhere you look... it's a construction zone! With the blossoming population in many urban areas, it is almost a given that when you venture around town to commute or to perform your errands, you will come across at least one type of...

How To Safely Remove Ice Dams From Your Home - Henry Bockman
This article was written to explain the causes of ice dams and how to remove them safely. For more information or pictures of the processes see ice dam removals. The art of ice dam removal. By Henry's Housework You may have noticed long...

One Repair You Must Make - Kirsten Hawkins
There are many brave buyers are willing to purchase a home that needs renovation or repair. But there's one problem that will most likely send them all screaming. As the seller, it's in your best interests to tackle this problem head-on before ever...

Essential Vacuum Cleaner Parts - Alison Cole
There are numerous places to find parts for a broken vacuum cleaner if you have someone in the house that’s handy enough with tools to take a crack at fixing it. The part that breaks on most of the less expensive vacuum cleaners is the drive belt....