Having a more restrictive floor covering or construction mandates more energy. The greater the temperature change (delta T, or ∆T), the greater the energy movement through a given material. Remember, heat moves to cold in a very predictable manner. In a radiant system, conduction takes place anywhere the radiant tubing is in contact with a flooring material, or subfloor - or in some cases, with the help of a heat transfer plate. The pole, being more conductive, allows the heat to leave your hand quickly, causing you to feel colder. Think about your hand on that steel pole mentioned earlier. The warmer object will impart heat energy to the cooler object via the area of contact. Many of you know this, but I’ve got to state it anyway: Water is several times more conductive than air and many times more capable of moving energy than air.Ĭonductive transfer is when two objects of different temperature come in contact. Water moves heat energy from the boiler out to the radiant zone. In a hydronic system, the air is replaced with water and the fan is replaced with a circulator. There are three methods of heating: convection, conduction, and radiant.Ĭonvective systems rely on a medium - generally air - to be moved from one location to another by some mechanical means, usually a fan. Believe it or not, not all heat is created or distributed equally. To answer this, we need to understand how heat is transferred in, and through, a radiant floor. But is one pipe option really more efficient?
Since PEX uses a lower fluid temperature, some might say the system with PEX distribution is more efficient. Specifically, questions arise about whether PEX is more efficient than EPDM. In the world of radiant floor heating, I’ve found a similar misconception when discussing the differences between pipe options used in a radiant floor installation. But steel would feel colder because steel is more conductive that is, it moves energy away from our hands faster than wood does. Since they were both outside in the same conditions, they had to be the same temperature. The question wasn’t which one was warmer, but which one felt warmer. Of course, the answer to that question is the same now as it was then - both objects are, in fact, the same temperature.
Please contact us to learn about more Hydronic Radiant Floor System benefits and operations and to receive a free system installation quote.In a class of eager 17-year-olds, there were those who raced to be first, agreeing with others that the steel rod was colder. The tubing carries heated water (or food-grade antifreeze mixture) throughout the system, conducting warmth to the surface of the floor, which then transmits energy into your rooms. Hydronic radiant floor heating systems use pumps to circulate hot water through special tubing embedded into the concrete foundation of your home.
Flexibility – Installing systems with multiple heat zones allows for an easy way to vary temperatures between different rooms in your home.
Health – System improves your home air quality.Healthy – Compared to traditional hot air systems, Radiant Systems don’t dry your breathing passages, leaving you less vulnerable to infection.Comfort – Delivers combination of radiant heat and air temperature to heat human body Provides for more comfortable environment.Efficient – Hydronic Radiant Systems use very little electricity.Clean – System has no moving air, reducing air allergens.Savings – System can provide up to 25% savings on home heating.The system's temperature is controlled by regulating the flow of hot water through each tubing loop within each radiant heat zone. A properly installed radiant system with separate radiant heat zones for different rooms allows you to vary the temperatures between the rooms in your home with your thermostat. The system operates with radiant heat transfer, also known as infrared radiation. Hydronic radiant floor systems are designed to pump heated water through floor tubing laid underneath your home's floor. Radiant floor panels maintain stable temperatures throughout the system, which also provide a more comfortable home environment. Hydronic Radiant Floor Heating systems are designed to supply heat directly to the floor panels in your home's floor and deliver heat directly from the hot surface resulting in a more efficient form of heating. Hydronic Radiant Floor Heating Comfortable and Effective Way to Heat Your Home What is Radiant Floor Heating?