Warming to idea of in-floor heating

The London Home Builders' Association hosted the annual Parade of Renovations last weekend in London.

The event was an opportunity for the public to view some of the amazing work done during the last year by RenoMark Certified renovators who showcased the innovative products and technologies available for homes.

Of particular interest to me were the number of homes that utilized in-floor heating systems to complement or replace the conventional forced-air heating system.

Once considered exclusive, expensive and overly complicated, this technology has become commonplace in the residential housing market for good reason. It's relatively easy to install for professionals, it's extremely economical to operate, and it can be used in the smallest of areas, or throughout the entire house, making it one of the most flexible and versatile home heating choices available.

In-floor heating also has many attractive features not available with any other type of forced-air system. It does not require ductwork, and therefore will not require bulkheads in a finished basement ceiling. Because there is no air being forced through a duct and register, there is no noise from moving air, and it's less dusty, making it perfect for allergy sufferers.

There are two main types of in-floor heating: electric, typically used in a small area such as a bathroom and to complement a forced-air heating system; and liquid systems that pump warmed liquid through a closed loop.

Most hydronic in-floor heat systems work on the thermal mass principle, where a dense material such as concrete or gypsum is heated by pipes passing through or under it. Hydronic systems also work well with geothermal and solar, making in-floor heating an environmentally conscious choice. The dense material can be finished on its own but is usually covered with other dense materials such as ceramic tile.

Although in-floor heating is often referred to as radiant heat, it actually uses radiation, convection and conduction in harmony to warm the floor, the air and your body.

In a nutshell, heat radiates from the floor to the air, or from an area of higher heat to lower heat. That's the radiant part.

The warmed air rises, warming the whole room from the bottom up. That's the convection part.

Last, the floor surface is as warm or warmer than our body temperature, and therefore prevents us from losing body heat through conduction, or "touching" a cold surface. This is what makes the floors so comfortable to walk on.

In-floor heating also provides a consistent and controlled temperature, unlike a conventional forced-air system where air temperature is measured by a thermostat at a single location. The thermostat doesn't consider that bedrooms or living areas can feel warmer or cooler depending on our activity level.

Furthermore, thermostats are designed to detect when the temperature has cooled off enough for the furnace to come on, but this can sometimes be up to three degrees cooler than the preferred temperature. This cycle of heating up and cooling off combined with cool and overly warm areas may result in occupant discomfort.

In-floor heat is set to a consistent monitored temperature that never varies. Even in the event of a power blackout, the thermal mass of the floor would hold the heat for a long time before it would cool off.

In-floor heat is ideal for garages, workshops and even patios, making it perfect for hobbyists and outdoor enthusiasts alike. It's also ideal for foyers, mudrooms and bathrooms because wet floors dry on their own almost instantly.