Radiant heating is the process of moving heat from one spot to an object or objects in a direct line with it. Hydronic radiant floor heating is using the heat that is generated by circulating hot water through tubes or pipes underneath your floor.
This heat will circulate through a room when it is prompted by a thermostat. Many researchers and proponents of this type of heat will say that it is the best heat you can have. Unlike a contemporary heating system, this system will last throughout your lifetime.
The advantage this heat has over convection heat is that the heat from this source will use less energy and heat your home from the floor upwards. Instead of the heat going straight up to your head and the ceiling, the heat will radiate throughout the room warming your whole body. The main thing to remember is that when heat rises to the ceiling, it will stay there unless something forces it down.
Another thing that is extremely important in your home is the humidity level. With conventional heating methods, the humidity is more likely to be less due to the drawing in of air from outside. This air is usually low moisture and can enter your home through leaking duct work.
When you use a furnace or another type of heating, the dust mites and allergens can wreak havoc with people who have problems with asthma and sinus ailments. Hydronic radiant floor heating is an alternative to this type of heating that does not cause these problems. This system does not have to heat air from the outside, thus it is saving you energy.
Using the hydronic radiant heat, the water temperature can be set to a lower temperature. If you use a condensing unit this is the best way to do this and save on your electric bills. If you do not use a condensing unit, the water temperature will have to be set higher and this will cause an increase in your power bill.
This also depends on how your pipes are laid out under your floors. The design needs to be one that will optimize the efficiency of the layout and the insulation. A good lay out for the system will distribute the heat evenly and keep the room warmer than one that is not.
In a hot water system (such as Kickspace heaters), the water is not really hot, it is warm. It circles through the pipes that are put into the floor. There are various types of pipes used in these systems. One of the most popular is PEX. It has many layers and works very well with this type of system.
For more savings on your electric bill, use solar heated water for bathing and anything you need hot water for. Due to this water developing bubbles more often than water that is heated conventionally, you can use a surge water pump to take care of this problem. It will make sure the water circulates fast enough to prevent the bubbles.