Electric Radiant Heat |Baseboard Radiant Heat

Baseboard Radiant Heat

We as consumers dream up all kinds of ways to upgrade our homes. From stain-proof carpet, to solar panels for decreased energy bills; we are always looking for something that improves our standard of living, and hopefully, reduces our standard of spending.

Radiant Heat is one of these upgrades. It is a luxury you won't think about, but you'll miss if it's not there. When most people think of radiant heat, "Warm Floors" typically come to mind. Radiant heat, however, does a whole lot more that warm floors.

Radiant Heat is capable of heating an entire house, and is far more comfortable and efficient than forced air or convection heating.

In space-heating, occupants feel more comfortable even when the space air temperature is maintained lower than typical forced air heating. Radiant heat results in less heat-loss from a room. Forced air registers and baseboard heat strips are always located on outside walls between windows. These systems heat air that comes in contact with the external windows and walls to temperatures much higher than the desired room temperature. This results in more heat-loss from the space. Heatizon System's products provide a uniform heat flux from the floor into the space, resulting in less heat-loss from the room.

Mass Warming results in less temperature variations in the space being heated. The flooring material is heated by the element which then radiates the heat into the space. The floor surface can be maintained at a very uniform temperature which prevents the hot and cold temperature swings that occur as other systems cycle on and off. Warming the mass of the floor results in what is called thermal capacitance. This allows the space to remain warm even when extreme temperatures occur. Essentially, heat energy is stored in the mass of the floor and other objects in the space. This applies to any type of floor--wood, concrete, tile, etc.

Efficiency levels of Heatizon Systems are excellent. When compared with a heat pump, forced-air furnace or baseboard heating system, Heatizon Systems low-voltage products are more efficient watt for watt. An article in the July, 1996 ASHRAE Journal, "Radiant Heating for Thermal Comfort" reported on experimental results comparing a heat pump, baseboard heat and radiant heat. The radiant heating system consumed 33% less energy than the heat pump system and 52% less energy than the baseboard system.

Reliability of Heatizon Systems are superior. The entire system is solid-state, has no moving parts to wear out, and has nothing that requires routine maintenance. There are no water lines to break or crack. Our products have been satisfying the needs of hundreds of customers since 1979. Both z-mesh and Tuff Cable are easy to repair in the event they get cut or damaged. The controls allow for power failures or spikes, yet brings the system back on-line as quickly as possible.

Comfort of radiant heat is superior because the radiant heat flux is uniform throughout the heated space. There are no "point-source" hot spots like there are in baseboard and forced air systems. Thermal comfort is sustained as the system cycles on and off, because the heated mass temperature remains almost constant.

Convenience of installation is superior to any other system. There is no ducting to deal with, no lost floor or wall space. Other than a thermostat, Heatizon Systems products are out of sight. Retrofitting is easy. Adding the system to an existing space is much easier than installing a hydronic or high voltage system.

Safety is a major advantage of the Heatizon System. Heatizon Systems products are ETL listed to UL standards 1673,1693, and 1561.

Quiet and clean. The Heatizon System produces no more noise than a light fixture. There is no fan starting and stopping, no filter to change or clean, no valves to wear out, and no pipes to rattle.

Life-Cycle Costs are less, especially when heating exterior concrete surfaces. The cost to replace a driveway, sidewalk or patio is many times the cost of the Heatizon Systems products.

Radiant Floor Heat for Your Home part II

Method 3: Under Subfloor Installation
With this method, the radiant floor heat system is attached between floor beams. Basically, the air space of the beams is used to suspend the heating system. You need to install proper insulation below the heating system, so that the heat produced can be reflected upward direction towards the surface along with the room on the top. This is a dry method and particularly useful when you plan to renovate your room.

Method 4: Built-in Subfloor Installation

In this method, the system is designed in such a way that it produces heat for both the system and subfloor. This system is also known as structural radiant subfloors. This method is comparatively easier for installing both electric and hydronic radiant floor heat system. However, you must consult professional to do it at your home.

Radiant Floor Heat for Your Home part I

If you are living in an extremely chilled environment, and would like to enjoy the warmth of the stovetop around you, you can try installing radiant heat system at your home or at your business place. It is truly a wonderful experience and keeps you quite comfortable throughout the day.
Types
There are primarily three types of radiant heat system -
(1) air heated,
(2) electric, and
(3) hydronic

All of these 3 types have their own pros and cons. While air heated radiant floor heat system can incorporate solar energy system, it is quite expensive. Thus it is hardly used for personal reasons.
On the other hand, electric radiant floors could be cost effective, if they use considerable amount of thermal mass. However, the most popular version of radiant floor heat system is hydronic system, as it is not only cost effective, but also you have a control over the room temperature just by regulating the water flow.
There are several installation methods for radiant floor heat. Here we will discuss 4 methods out of the lot.
Method 1: Wet Concrete Slab Installation
This is the oldest form of radiant floor heat installation. In this method, radiant mat, cable system or tubing is embedded to the concrete slab structure. This method is also known as slab on grade installation procedure as this is installed more than a few feet degree below of the slab. Wet concrete slab installation is typically used in new construction. If you would like to take the advantage of this method, you must seek professional help.
Method 2: Over Subfloor Installation
Both hydronic and electric radiant floor heating system can be installed using over subfloor installation method. As the name suggests, this installation is done over the subfloor and not in the beneath. In this method, professionals use pre-manufactured radiant heating system such as electric mesh that can be placed just below the floor covering. On the top of that, hydronic or electric tubing is placed like a sandwich between the wood or concrete subfloor and cement or ply-board underlayment.