Natural Gas Radiant Heating

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Floors Heat Up with Radiant Heat

Although radiant heat technology works with virtually any hot water heat source or fuel, systems fueled by natural gas are the most efficient and most often used. Radiant floor heating includes two primary components:


The tubing, which is placed beneath the floors of your home
The heating source - a water heater or boiler
While conventional heating systems rely on air circulation to distribute heat, radiant heating takes advantage of the fact that warm air rises. Installed beneath a home's flooring, it radiates heat upward and outward, spreading warmth and comfort throughout the room. There are three types of radiant floor systems:

Single-purpose system: A separate water heater or boiler provides heated water for the radiant floor system, while a conventional furnace or boiler and water heater handle regular household space and water heating needs.
Dual-purpose system: A single unit performs two functions, supplying energy for both the radiant floor system and household hot water.
Contained system: In this arrangement, water supplies for the radiant floor heating system and household drinking water are isolated by separate coils within the tank.
Equipment price and installation costs vary depending on the unit or system you select, the number and size of rooms to be covered, the complexity of the installation and other related factors.

Operating costs can be much lower than standard space and water heating systems. Costs vary based on the cost of natural gas and your natural gas provider.

Benefits
Radiant floor heating provides superior comfort and savings over standard space and water heating systems. Because of its many benefits, radiant floor heating can also increase the value of your home.
Radiant floor heating spreads heat more evenly around the room, eliminating cold spots and cold blasts of air from registers. It is a steady, even source of heat; cold floors are virtually eliminated.
Radiant systems are quiet — they have no blower fans.
Rooms with vaulted ceilings are easier to heat and homeowners have more flexibility in room arrangements without concern for blocking vents.
Systems with glycol-filled tubing won't freeze, so they can be installed in cabins or other seasonal facilities, or beneath driveways and walkways to melt snow. They don't need to be drained when weather turns cold.
Radiant floor systems can be substantially more efficient than standard space and water heating systems. The unique combination of radiant technology and natural gas energy helps lower operating costs for budget-conscious homeowners.
Heating can be directed to specific zones or rooms and equipped with individual thermostat controls for added efficiency.
Dual-purpose units that provide space as well as water heating offer equipment cost savings.
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