For cold weather areas, heated floors are an ideal winter solution.
The only drawback of radiant flooring is the lack of a centralized cooling option. For northern locations with especially short summer seasons, this isn’t a problem. There is electric heated flooring that is designed in mats that cater to retrofit installation. The hydronic alternative is more complex and invasive to implement but provides far greater benefits. The system begins with a boiler typically located in the basement. The boiler heats up water and sends it through a network of pipes concealed beneath the floors. The pipes create a closed loop system that uses the same water over and over. The heat from the system radiates across the complete surface of the floor, eliminating any cold spots. Any object situated on the floor is also warmed up and further helps to radiate heat. Because the heat is infused rather than blown into the air, there is no introduction of air contaminants or stratification. With hydronic radiant flooring the temperature from floor to ceiling never varies more than three degrees from the thermostat setting. There are no vents that require a specialized arrangement of furniture. No equipment detracts from space or aesthetics. The system is invisible and totally silent. It provides a very gentle and consistent comfort and exceptional air quality. Hydronic heating doesn’t dry out the air and cause issues with insufficient humidity. This type of system is often recommended for those who suffer from allergies, asthma and respiratory sensitivity. Another added benefit of radiant floorings is the easy setup of zone control. With a thermostat installed in each room, the temperature can be set to meet occupancy, requirements or preferences. Each family member can enjoy their ideal comfort in their bedrooms. THere’s no need to pay to heat empty rooms to the perfect temperature. Those rooms that tend to feel chilly can be targeted without affecting the rest of the house. Because of the even temperature and lack of energy losses, heated floors are wonderfully efficient. They keep running costs low and help to pay for the luxury of walking barefoot across a perfectly warm floor in the middle of the winter.
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