Are Heated Floors Cost Effective?

Identification

• Heated floors are also called radiant heating systems. A heat-supplying system is installed under a home’s flooring. It uses radiant heat transfer, meaning it delivers heat directly from the floor to objects. Even though it uses radiant heating, a heated flooring system still relies on convection, meaning that heat will rise to other parts of the room as well.

Air-Heated Systems

• The three types of heated flooring systems work for different situations, and their cost-effectiveness will vary. In a residential setting, an air-heated floor system is not cost-effective, as air cannot hold a lot of heat, the Energy Savers state. In order to keep the home warm enough, traditional furnaces often have to be used, too.

Electric Heating Systems

• Electric radiant floors have electric cables that are built into the floor. These are only cost-effective if they are combined with a thick concrete floor or another thermal mass. Also, if homeowners can change the heater’s settings, they should be able to turn the electric floor on at night, and off during the day. The heated concrete will help keep the house warm while the electric system in off. This can result in energy savings.

Hydronic Heating Systems

• Hydronic radiant floors are the most cost-effective way to heat a floor, the Energy Savers state. This system pumps heated water through tubing placed under the floor. The temperature can be controlled by increasing or decreasing the flow of heated water. Hydronic systems do not use a lot of electricity.

Benefits

• In some situations, heated flooring systems are cost-effective, and they have other benefits, too. Because the air is not being pushed around, it can be beneficial for people with allergies who are normally bothered by the air blown from traditional heating methods. Also, heated floors do not lose energy through ducts.

Considerations

• Though one of the types of heated floors might be cost effective in your home, if you do not have proper insulation, the heat will be lost. If you are spending the money to heat the floor, make sure your house is well insulated, too. Your energy costs will not go down — they might even go up — without proper insulation while using a heated floor.