Benefits of Radiant Heat Radiant Heat Defined Radiant Heat Applications Electric Radiant Heat vs. Hydronics Radiant Heat vs. Forced Air Radiant Floor Heating Options The Comparison A room with radiant in-floor space heating will have a very uniform temperature from the ceiling to the floor. Heating a basement floor is the ideal application for our radiant heat systems. If you've lived in a house with forced air, you can crank the heat up, but the basement floors are still chilled. Installing a floor warming system will add comfort and warmth to your lifestyle. The warmest air in rooms that are heated with a forced air furnace will be near the ceilings. This usually makes the floors cold. Although the air may be heated, the floors will be chilled and uncomfortable, especially for children playing on the floor. Below is an in-depth comparison of our radiant heat systems vs. forced air and gas systems. Heating System Comparison Efficiency Low-Voltage Radiant Heat System Forced Air & Gas Heating System Efficiency at 100% of capacity 100% 60-90% Efficiency at 50% of capacity 100% 30-60% Efficient - relative thermal 100% 50-75% 100% of energy is delivered to heat element YES NO Proper sized capacity of "Off Peak" conditions YES NO Maintenance Low-Voltage Radiant Heat System Forced Air & Gas Heating System Annual Maintenance Required - filters to clean or change NO YES Easy to repair YES NO Controls - simple and reliable YES VARIES Cost Savings Low-Voltage Radiant Heat System Forced Air & Gas Heating System Expandable - easily and economically YES NO Floor covering - Compatible with all YES YES Floor space required for installation (mechanical room) NO YES Decorating limitations for furnishings, wall coverings, etc. (no registers, grills, radiators) NO YES Installation and Operation - simple YES NO Structural building cost increases required to accommodate NO NO Venting required to outside and combustion air required NO YES Concrete required - regular or lightweight NO NO Remodeling Low-Voltage Radiant Heat System Forced Air & Gas Heating System Retrofitability - in existing concrete or asphalt YES NO Retrofit into joist space effectively YES NO Simple modification for remodeling YES NO Easy and effective for large or small areas YES NO Minimal floor section height increase (1/8" or less) YES YES Health & Safety Low-Voltage Radiant Heat System Forced Air & Gas Heating System Health & Medical (doesn't distribute dust, pollen, allergens through the air) YES NO Environmentally-friendly (Greenhouse, glycol, etc.) YES NO Safety (no high-voltage, no hot surfaces, no combustible gases) YES NO