How to Maintain Radiant Heat

Seal windows with shrink wrap in the winter. Shrink wrapping kits are available for both windows and doors and provide a tight seal against winter winds and freezing temperatures. Kits contains plastic and sealing tape which is adhered semi-permanently in place with the heat of a hair dryer or heat gun.

Utilize draft excluders under exterior doors. It's impossible to completely seal a door that is constantly opening and closing, such as the front and back doors of a house. By pushing a draft excluding device such as a tube of fabric or beans across the bottom length of the door, it is easier to keep warm air in and cold air out.

Insulate attics to reduce or eliminate lost air from rooftops. Heat rises and most radiant heat is lost through the top portion of a home, namely the roof. Laying insulation inside or along attic floors can vastly reduce energy loss and lower utility bills.

Lay padding under carpets to prevent heat escaping through floorboards. Finished wood floors are aesthetically pleasing but do little to retain heat in a home. Carpet provides both a protective barrier from cold unfinished basements as well as reducing the amount of heat that leaves a room through the floor.

Consider purchasing solar thermal radiant flooring for maximum retention. By focusing solar heat into specially designed collection stations around a home, radiant heat can be directed into flooring space and used to heat a home. Radiant flooring is a large initial payout but saves on monthly utility costs as well as environmentally friendly .

Try aluminum foil to prevent heat transfer and keep homes cool. Keeping radiant heat out is sometimes preferred to letting it in, especially in warmer climates. Air conditioning is expensive and placing specially designed foil sheeting on the inside of roofing cavities provides a barrier against heat exchange. Kits and professional consultations are available.

Purchase reflective window treatments to prevent heat exchange. Windows can have a reflective surface on either the exterior or interior face to reflect or retain heat.