Radiant Heating

Radiant Heating - Hydronic & Electric

Types of Radiant Heating Systems - Not one right way... many good ways.

Whether your choice is floor, wall or ceiling panels, they are heated in one of three ways: water pipes, electric elements or air channels embedded in the panel.

Of these three, air is seldom used, leaving electric circuits and water pipes (or channels) as the most prevalent.

Electric panels have electricity as their sole utility, are quite simple in construction and generally have a lower 'up-front' cost.

Water, on the other hand, can be heated by almost any utility be it natural gas, propane, oil, wood, solar, or electricity, and is quite versatile.

Your choice will probably hinge on the energy costs of the available utility and the size of the project.

Lowest temperature required = 

Highest temperature required =  

Radiant Heating Concrete Slab

 
Tubing or electric heating elements are attached to wire mesh or fixtures to hold them in place until the concrete floor is poured. The tubing or elements are embedded in the concrete anywhere from the bottom of the slab to within 2 inches of the surface, depending on the design and installation technique.
Source temperature required:

Radiant Heating Thin Slab

Tubing or electric heating elements are attached to the wood subfloor with fasteners to hold them in place until a concrete, lightweight concrete, dry pack or gypsum underlayment is installed as the final subfloor. Gypsum products bond to the subfloor and are generally thinner and lighter than concrete products. Concrete must be separated from the subfloor with a slip sheet to prevent bonding. The subfloor structure must be built to minimize flexing to avoid cracking the slab.
Source temperature required:

Radiant Heating Subfloor Plates 

Aluminum plates supported by wood or plastic spacers contain channels which accept tubing. These plates spread the heat uniformaly beneath the finished floor. Hardwood floors can be nailed directly to the subfloor plates or carpet and pad placed over the plates. It is also possible to nail a second subfloor over the plates for a smoother finish for vinyl areas. A cement board is used when tile or stone is to be installed. Particle board is not recommended as a subfloor.
Source temperature required:

Radiant Heating Subfloor Board 
 
Pre-manufactured boards with a laminated layer of aluminum and a channel to accept tubing are screwed or nailed to the subflooring. Hardwood floors can be nailed directly to the subfloor plates or carpet and pad placed over the plates. It is also possible to nail a second subfloor over the plates for a smoother finish for vinyl areas. A cement board is used when tile or stone is to be installed. Particle board is not recommended as a subfloor.
Source temperature required:

Radiant Heating Engineered Subfloor

An engineered load bearing board takes the place of the structural subfloor. It has a laminated layer of aluminum and a channel to accept tubing. Hardwood floors can be nailed directly to the subfloor plates or carpet and pad placed over the plates. It is also possible to nail a second subfloor over the plates for a smoother finish for vinyl areas. A cement board is used when tile or stone is to be installed. Particle board is not recommended as a subfloor.
Source temperature required:

Radiant Heating Staple-up

Tubing is attached to the underside of the existing subfloor. Aluminum plates can be used to spread the heat evenly under the subfloor. Insulation is placed in the joist space beneath the tubing. A 2 inch air space is usually left between the insulation and the bottom of the subfloor. If aluminum plates are used which significantly cover the underside of the subfloor, the insulation may be pushed up tight against the plates. Obviously, care must be taken when nailing any floor covering from above.
Source temperature required:

Radiant Heating Hanging in Joist Space

Tubing is suspended several inches beneath the subfloor in the joist space. Insulation is installed in the joist space beneath the tube with a 2 to 4 inch air space between the top of the insulation and the bottom of the subfloor. The air within this space is heated by the tube which, in turn, heats the underside of the subfloor.
Source temperature required:

The above information is from the Radiant Panel Association.

For more information on Radiant Heating, including finding members and contractors, visit the Radiant Panel Association.

And also visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s page on Radiant heating.