The Many Benefits of Radiant or In-Floor Heating

Many new homes today are being built with what's called radiant or in-floor heating. This refers to a system of coils that are built under the floor and which circulate warm water as a means of heat, rather than or in addition to a normal furnace, which blows warm air through the home's vents. If you have a choice in heating systems or are considering an upgrade to your home, note a few of the surprising benefits of radiant or in-floor heating.

1. Adding Moisture Rather than Drying the Air

When a furnace pushes warm air through the home, this air is very dry and can be very uncomfortable. You may even notice that in wintertime, your skin and hair become dry and you may even see asthma and other breathing disorders irritated every time you turn on the furnace.

With radiant or in-floor heating, you are actually adding moisture to the air. This in turn can keep your skin and hair healthier and can make it easier to breathe during wintertime. This added moisture is also good for your home, as wood and other building materials can become brittle in that dry air over time, whereas the added moisture keeps them from drying up and cracking.

2. Adding Heat from the Ground up

There are a few benefits to adding heat from the ground up, rather than blowing warm air in from vents that are usually located near the ceiling. One benefit is that since heat rises, your space may seem warmer more quickly with radiant heating than with blown air. When vents are located near the ceiling, the furnace needs to blow a lot of warm air into a room for it to travel down toward where you're sitting. With radiant heating, you may use less power to get your space warm and in turn, save money on your utility bills.

Another benefit is that when your floor is warm, your feet get warm and you may just feel warmer all over. Not only is this more comfortable for you but it also contributes to the fact that you may need to use the radiant heat less often than blown or forced air heating. Having direct contact with a heat source can also relax your muscles and increase blood circulation, so radiant heating can actually be healthier for you!

These are just a few reasons why radiant or in-floor heating is often a preferred choice rather than standard blown or forced air. Consider these when you're ready to have a heating element installed in your home.