FAQ's

Is Radiant Floor Heating a new invention?
Radiant heating has been around for 2 thousand years. The Romans first used radiant floor heating (hot water steam) in their Hypocausts over two thousand years ago.

What is radiant floor heating?
Radiant floor heating is a comfortable and efficient form of heating where warm water circulates through flexible, specially designed tubing (PEX) installed within the floor. The heat radiates evenly up through the floor warming the room while providing more comfort for less money.

What makes radiant floor heating so comfortable?
Unlike traditional heating systems that just warm the air, radiant heating warms the floor. The entire floor distributes a consistent, even, and quiet heating. There are no drafts and radiant floor heating takes the chill out of cold tile, marble and wood floors.

Why is radiant heat superior to other heating methods?
Unlike other heating methods, radiant heat heats the floor surface and surrounding objects instead warming the moving air. With radiant heat you to feel comfortable at a lower thermostat setting, so your fuel bills will be lower. The system is quiet, low maintenance and operates more efficiently than any other heating system when using zones. This type of system offers superior comfort.

Can the floor get too hot?
A properly designed radiant floor heating system will deliver comfortable warmth that's a pleasure to walk on.

How long will Pex tubing last?
PEX tubing will last as long as the structure. PEX tubing has been in use for over twenty years in Europe and life cycle testing has demonstrated that PEX can last in excess of seventy years. PEX is an inert material, virtually indestructible by common elements.

Do I need tubing with an oxygen diffusion barrier?
An oxygen diffusion barrier is a special coating applied to the tubing which reduces the amount of oxygen entering the tubing from the surrounding air. Oxygen can shorten the life of some heat sources. However, those heat sources affected by oxygen are rare, an even in these cases, there are solutions to this problem which cost less and work better.

What about air conditioning if I use radiant heat?
If you want radiant heat and air conditioning, we recommend installing a distribution system for air conditioning within the ceiling and radiant heat tubing within the floor. Combining a forced hot air heating system and an air conditioning system utilizing floor registers is a less comfortable, dustier, and more expensive alternative than using two separate systems.

How do flooring materials such as carpet, tile or wood effect heating performance?
Stone, tile, wood, and vinyl are fairly good conductors of heat and do not present any special design considerations. Carpeting requires more temperature from below to force the heat through the carpet and into the room. This may require improved insulation below the floor to prevent downward heat loss.