The method of heating a home with radiant heat has changed with the times as new materials become available, and although this makes it far easier to install than the hypocaust systems all those years ago, the principle remains the same.
It doesn't matter what flooring you have chosen; wood, tile, concrete, vinyl or carpet, when your shoes come off and you walk barefoot on the heated surface you will feel the delicious warmth underfoot. The radiant heat rises from the floor around the room by means of tubing laid in a grid pattern beneath the floor covering, through which hot water is pumped.
There are different methods for supplying the hot water necessary for in-floor heating. A boiler can be installed to provide the hot water solely to the system, or the in-floor heating system can be connected to an existing boiler.
Free hot water is available if you choose the increasingly popular option of solar panels as a heating method. Although this may increase installation costs somewhat, the extra cost is soon overhauled because as long as the sun continues to shine then hot water is limitless.
As radiant heat in-floor heating only adds about 20 cm depth to an existing floor, it makes it a great choice for retro-fitting. It can easily be laid on top of an existing tile or concrete floor and a new floor covering added on top.
Most hot water radiant heating systems are installed by laying a grid formation of tubing which is then embedded in a thin concrete layer. Heat diffusing aluminum is laid on top of this followed by your chosen floor covering.
If you would like carpet as a floor covering, then its best to ensure a thin radiant heat friendly carpet is laid. Although wood, linoleum, vinyl or any other floor covering can be used, the most effective flooring is ceramic tiles. This is because of their heat storage and conduction properties.
There are other methods of heating your home using radiant heat such as ceiling or wall mounted heating panels. These work on the same principle as in-floor heating with piped hot water or heated electric cables.
Ceiling panels may not take up valuable wall space, but some people are a little uncomfortable feeling the radiated heat on the top of their heads. The slight drawback with the wall panels can be that you need to be in reasonably close proximity or line-of-sight to them, to feel the radiant heat directly.
In-floor heating is undoubtedly efficient and is low-cost to run, but another major factor in its popularity is the absence of any ugly panels or radiators taking up space in the home.
Being able to generate and store heat when power companies offer their off-peak low rates, and then release it via thermostatic control for anything up to 12 hours afterwards would perhaps make our ancient Roman friends a little envious of this wonderful modern form of radiant heating.
