An Introduction to Radiant Heating

Radiant heat is the most comfortable and energy-efficient way to heat a living space. Learn how it works and why it is such a sought after heating solution.

Forced Air or Radiant Heat
With a forced-air heating system, hot air is pumped into a space through vents. As hot air rises, the upstairs becomes too hot while the downstairs remains cold. Open windows and doors suck the heat out, making temperatures inconsistent and rooms uncomfortable. Radiant heats objects. Surfaces emit a gentle, even heat throughout.

Hot air immediately rises to the ceiling or to higher floors.

Radiant floor heating is always beneath you, and easily controlled.

Electric or Hydronic
In general, electric* mats are ideal for small areas, when you want only the floor to feel warm. To feel that warmth throughout the whole home, choose hydronic. Hydronic systems pump water through tubing beneath the floor, not only warming the floor, but heating your entire house.

Check local electricity rates if considering electric. In some regions, energy bills can double or triple just to heat a bathroom floor.

High Mass or Low Mass
High Mass hydronic systems focus on heating a mass of concrete, which in turn heats the house. However, if you need to quickly raise or lower the temperature of your home, these systems are too slow to respond. Warmboard, a low mass system, responds much faster and uses energy more wisely.

Low mass systems heat up quickly, and Warmboard heats up faster than all others.

High mass systems are very slow to heat up and do not provide even surface temperatures.

Zoning
Radiant heat is easy to control room-by-room. Set your preferred temperature in any areas and turn down unused rooms to save energy.

Health
Radiant floor heating will significantly improve indoor air quality. It can help eliminate pollen, microbes, dust, mold and viruses. Children, adults and seniors who suffer from allergies, asthma and other respiratory challenges will benefit from radiant heat.

Comfort
Compared to forced air, radiant has no noisy fans, no dust blowing and no hot or cold spots. Radiant provides consistent, even heat to every room in your house. Always silent, and never too hot or cold.

Energy Use
Hydronic radiant heat it typically 20–30% more energy-efficient than forced air. Warmboard is capable of being 30% more efficient than other systems. What a savings!

Performance
Unlike other radiant systems, Warmboard panels are entirely coated with thick aluminum. This conductive material transfers heat more quickly and more evenly than any other product, resulting in lower energy bills and more comfortable living spaces.

Installation
Warmboard-S replaces a standard subfloor in new homes. Tubing installs quickly and easily. Flooring goes in just as it would over any traditional subfloor — no need for additional layers of materials like other systems require, saving time and money on materials and labor. Warmboard-R goes in over existing subfloor or slab as well as the walls or ceiling.

Review

• There are 3 kinds of radiant floor heating — high mass, low mass and electric
• Electric mats are good for warming the floor, but can be expensive to operate
• Hydronic radiant heats the entire house
• High mass systems are very slow to respond
• Low mass systems heat the home more quickly

To learn more about Warmboard, explore www.warmboard.com