Which Radiant Heating System Should You Choose?

December 28, 2008 00:12 AM  BY  STACEY BARRUS

If you are looking to warm your floors with radiant heaters and are trying to research what kind of radiant heaters to install you might find yourself scratching your head at this point. There are dozens of products available to purchase, and there are even more companies telling you that their product is the best.

So which product is the best? Should you install a hydronic heating system that pumps hot water through your floors, an electric cable heating system, or a low-voltage screen system? The answer lies in the type of project you are doing. Not every system is ideal for every project, but there is an ideal system for every project.

Hydronic Heating Systems   

Hydronic floor heating is the oldest and most popular type of radiant floor heating. These systems are comprised of a boiler or hot water heater, pumps, manifolds, PEX tubing, thermostat, and either gypcrete (a concrete-like material) or wood panels. Hydronic heating is the most complex of all radiant heat systems. These systems require trained professionals to design and perform the installation. Your best economies of scale are achieved for hydronic systems in large areas or entire homes because of their expensive components and operational costs.  Hydronic systems can be installed under any type of flooring. Most hydronic systems require hot water tubing to be installed in a 2-4″ bed of light concrete and are best installed during the initial construction because of its weight load demands and adjustments to floor height. Recent low-mass products have been developed to avoid these challenges by fitting the tubing into pre-cut wood panels, making hydronic systems more convenient and possible for most major remodeling projects.

 If you want to heat smaller areas like a bathroom or kitchen, a hydronic floor heating system may not be the best value for your project. The complexity and cost of installing the system, along with the long-term maintenance and up-keep required, is not worth the small amount you will save in operational costs.

Electric Cable Heating

Electric cable heating systems, often called line- or high-voltage systems, are gaining popularity and are ideal for heating smaller areas (10-300 square feet) like bathrooms, kitchens, and sun rooms. These systems are comprised of a thermostat and a heating cable. On some systems, the cable will be shipped to you as a large spool of cable. These systems are oftentimes less expensive, and give you the ability to space the cable how you want and customize a layout that will heat every square inch of your floor. Other systems have the cable attached to a plastic mesh or tape to create a mat to maintain its proper spacing.

Every available cable system is equally effective, so when determining which system to purchase, you should look at the warranty of the product, along with the ease of installation. Some cables must be embedded in a separate layer of concrete or mortar, whereas other systems can simply be installed in the thinset. Most cable systems can only be installed under tile. However, on others, if the cable is embedded in mortar or concrete, any flooring can be installed on top of the concrete. When heating smaller areas, it is nearly impossible to beat the simplicity and price of an electric cable heating system.


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Treat Yourself to a Warm Home

December 27, 2008 00:12 AM  BY  STACEY BARRUS

When the first day of winter arrived over the weekend, it brought along cold weather and the potential for incredibly high heating bills. Installing radiant heaters in a home under construction or in an existing home is proven to cut heating costs. It works by putting water lines in the home’s concrete floors or under existing floors and running hot water through them.

Radiant heaters help to keep the whole house at a more constant temperature. In this way, our regular heaters don’t have to do as much to keep things warm and toasty during the winter. It might take a little effort, but being more environmentally friendly doesn’t have to involve major renovations. Many people waste a lot of energy by not sealing cracks, doors and windows. Checking to make sure a home’s insulation is in good shape and replacing it if it’s not is another good way to stop energy waste.

Switching to radiant heaters will not only help save energy, and lower heating costs, but you’ll soon find that it really adds to your family’s comfort as well. That is because it put the heat at our feet, which are generally cold, and offers cooler air near head level, where we are generally a little warmer.

Radiant Heaters Tip: If you are looking for a great way to save energy and maximize comfort in your home at the same time, then radiant heaters may be the perfect solution for you.


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Radiant Heat for Custom Applications

January 13, 2010 00:01 AM  BY  AMY MORBY

Why Settle When you can Customize?

Finding a Radiant Heating Solution as Unique as You Are

As temperatures plummet and heat bills skyrocket, consumers everywhere are turning to radiant heating systems. As the most affordable and customizable option out there, radiant heating is quickly making a name for itself as a titan in the heating market.

So radiant heat is the latest and greatest, but what exactly is so great about it and what can it do for you? One word: customization.

When it comes to radiant heating, the possibilities are endless. No matter what you want or where you want it, Warmzone can design a radiant heating system completely customized for your lifestyle, and it’s as easy as 1,2,3.

Radiant heated driveway with brick pavers. 1. Choose

The first step of your radiant heating revolution is choosing the type of radiant heat you want.

There’s no limit to what radiant heating can do. Whether you’re looking to warm up your home or prevent snow and ice buildup on your property, there’s a radiant heating option that’s sure to fit your needs.

Indoor Radiant Heating
Turn any room into a cozy paradise with radiant floor heating. Radiant heating can go under virtually any surface, including tile, carpet, wood, etc. Put it in your bathroom, your kitchen, your living room—anywhere you need heat. Each room, or zone, can be controlled with its own thermostat. Given the flexibility and outstanding effectiveness of radiant heated floors, it is the most affordable way to keep your house perfectly warm without racking up the electricity bill.

Outdoor Radiant Heating
You can also enjoy the benefits of radiant heating outdoors. Radiant snow melting systems keep your property safe by preventing snow and ice buildup. You can choose one or all of the following options to make your life a little easier in the harsh winter months:

2. Design

Once you decide which radiant heating options are right for you, the Warmzone team will help you design a customized plan of action. We realize that your radiant heating system isn’t the same as the next customer’s, so we work diligently with you to come up with a radiant heating system tailor made to your needs.

CAD of radiant heated floor system.Once we assess your project’s requirements, our team will design a custom CAD drawing of your radiant heating system telling you exactly what you get, where you’ll get it, and how much it will cost you. We’ll keep you involved in every step of the process to make sure that your custom radiant heating system exceeds your expectations.

When we’ve got your customized radiant heating system designed, we’ll make sure you have everything you need for a quick and easy installation. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, we’ve got a list of contractors ready to bring your radiant heating plans to fruition.

3. Enjoy

Because we help you with the planning and design process, you’re only job is to sit back, relax, and enjoy your custom radiant heating solution. Let your heated floors warm your home evenly and efficiently. Sit back and watch from the warmth of your living room as your radiant heated driveway does the shoveling for you. And sleep in peace knowing that your gutters and pipes are safe from nasty and potentially devastating snow and ice buildup.

Why settle for an out of the box heating solution? Let us help you customize a radiant heating system that meets your needs, fits your budget, and keeps you and your family warm and safe. 


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The Joys of Radiant Heat

April 01, 2010 00:04 AM  BY  BENSON RICKS

Radiant Snow Melting and Floor Heating Systems Rock Our World

Radiant heated drivewayIt’s not something you might think of every day but radiant snow melting systems are certainly something you’ll wish you had at certain times of the year. Automated snow melting systems have proven critical in many parts of the country – for both commercial and residential applications. How much easier can it get than to pull into a snowless driveway after a full day of snow fall? Or better yet, how about waking up to a snow covered landscape and a clear driveway?

From heated driveways and roof ice melting systems to cozy heated floors, radiant heating has provided new levels of convenience, comfort and safety in the last few years. And not only do you have a choice nowadays to install these conveniences when building a home or commercial project, but existing driveways and floors can be retrofitted with electric radiant heating systems. The technology and products have advanced to the point where radiant heat offers reliable, fully automated, maintenance-free performance. You owe it to yourself to explore the many snow melting and floor heating options.


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Problem Solved!

December 22, 2008 00:12 AM  BY  STACEY BARRUS

Are your eyes so tired from all the research you’ve been doing because you’re looking to warm your floors with radiant heaters? We know, it sometimes can be hard to narrow down what kind of radiant heaters to install. There are dozens of products available to purchase, and there are even more companies telling you that their product is the best.

For many homeowners, electric cable heating systems, often called line- or high-voltage systems, are gaining popularity and are ideal for heating smaller areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and sun rooms. These systems are comprised of a thermostat and a heating cable. These radiant heater systems are oftentimes less expensive, and give the ability to customize a layout that will heat every square inch of your floor.

Every available radiant heater cable system is equally effective, so when determining which system to purchase, you should look at the warranty of the product, along with the ease of installation. Some cables must be embedded in a separate layer of concrete or mortar, whereas other systems can simply be installed in the thinset. Most radiant heater cable systems can only be installed under tile. However, on others, if the cable is embedded in mortar or concrete, any flooring can be installed on top of the concrete.

Radiant Heaters Tip: When heating smaller areas, it is nearly impossible to beat the simplicity and price of an electric cable radiant heating system.


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Builder Uses Radiant Heaters to Build Healthy Homes

December 13, 2008 00:12 AM  BY  STACEY BARRUS

Recently John Thiffault of Carriage Lane Homes was recognized by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation for building homes that maximize health and efficiency.So what is it about Thiffault’s homes that set them apart from other homes, and make them safer and more efficient?Well, Radiant Heaters are one way.

Health Benefits. Radiant heaters improve the air quality, which is important, especially for anyone who suffers from either dust allergies or asthma. The heated towel rails provide ample heat alleviating a breeding ground for germs to multiply not to mention the added benefit of not having change filters or clean heat ducts.

Health experts also claim that radiant heaters can help in eliminating dust mites that live in our homes, and since dust mites love a warm moist environment, towel heaters aid in maintaining a consistent room temperature and keep it moisture free. Furthermore, mold and mildew are also caused from excessive moisture especially in bathrooms with insufficient ventilation.By placing radiant heaters or a radiant heat towel rack in the bathroom you can combat the spread of germs for only pennies a day.

Efficiency. Radiant heaters are the most efficient form of heat available. Significantly less operating time is required to maintain the desired warmth compared to furnaces and other methods of heating keeping operational costs to a minimum. High efficiency boilers or electric radiant floor systems makes radiant heat one of your most efficient ways to heat your home. Coupled with a well insulated home these systems can quickly warm your home and then shut down or wait idle for long periods of time before being called upon by the thermostat to operate.


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Hydronic Radiant Heating

December 19, 2008 00:12 AM  BY  STACEY BARRUS

Hydronic under floor heating are the most popular form of radiant heaters. This is mainly because these radiant heaters have been around the longest. This form of heating was first used by the Romans, but there have been significant developments since. In the most recent hydronic systems, PEX radiant tubing has been installed in a concrete mass called Gypsum Concrete or “Gypcrete.” This method works very well in most applications, but there have been developments in the installation process of hydronic under floor radiant heaters that make it easier to install for certain situations. This new development is known as a low-mass or modular board underlayment system. Rather than embedding the hot water tubing in concrete, the PEX tubing is laid in the grooves of pre-cut wood panels. This new method is ideal for remodeling and most new construction projects.

If you’d like to know more about both types of hydronic heating systems, contact the expert staff at warmzone.com.  They can help match your individual project with the best system at the best price. There isn’t a single system out there that is an ideal fit for every project, but there is an ideal system for every project. Also, because of the relationship that warmzone.com has with the manufacturers, they can guarantee the lowest price on the highest quality systems available.


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Staying Warm...and Green!

December 25, 2008 00:12 AM  BY  STACEY BARRUS

For anyone who is looking for a great way to save energy, and maximize comfort, then radiant heaters may be the ideal solution. Installing radiant heaters in a home under construction or in an existing home is proven to cut heating costs. It works by putting water lines in the home’s concrete floors or under existing floors and running hot water through them. Radiant heaters help to keep the whole house at a more constant temperature. In this way, our regular heaters don’t have to do as much to keep things warm and toasty during the winter.

You’ll find that switching to Radiant heaters will not only help save energy and lower heating costs, but it will certainly add to comfort as well. That is because it put the heat at our feet, which are generally cold, and offers cooler air near head level, where we are generally a little warmer.

Many times, what first springs to mind when people think of eco-friendly energy and heating is solar power. While solar panels are expensive, there are other eco-friendly ways to cut your power bill. In fact, energy savings can be found right beneath your feet: radiant heaters.

Radiant Heaters Tip: It is reported that many people waste a lot of energy by not sealing cracks, doors and windows; checking to make sure a home’s insulation is in good shape and replacing it if it’s not is another good way to stop energy waste.


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Are You Looking for Radiant Heating?

December 19, 2008 00:12 AM  BY  STACEY BARRUS

Sometimes can be hard to narrow down what kind of radiant heaters to install. There are dozens of products available to purchase, and there are even more companies telling you that their product is the best.

For many homeowners, electric cable heating systems, often called line- or high-voltage systems, are gaining popularity and are ideal for heating smaller areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and sun rooms. These systems are comprised of a thermostat and a heating cable. These radiant heater systems are oftentimes less expensive, and give the ability to customize a layout that will heat every square inch of your floor.

Every available radiant heater cable system is equally effective, so when determining which system to purchase, you should look at the warranty of the product, along with the ease of installation. Some cables must be embedded in a separate layer of concrete or mortar, whereas other systems can simply be installed in the thinset. Most radiant heater cable systems can only be installed under tile. However, on others, if the cable is embedded in mortar or concrete, any flooring can be installed on top of the concrete.

Radiant Heaters Tip: When heating smaller areas, it is nearly impossible to beat the simplicity and price of an electric cable radiant heating system. 


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Adding a Heating Source to Your Home is Easier than You Think

December 11, 2008 00:12 AM  BY  STACEY BARRUS

Have you ever gone on a ski vacation for the weekend and stayed at a little ski lodge? A lot of the times, they’ll have a huge fireplace in the main room with smaller bedrooms up in the loft area or second-story. But the problem is that when you’re in the main room with the roaring fire, you’re often overwhelmed by the heat and retreat to the bedroom, where it’s far chillier. You see, many vacation or weekend homes weren’t built with air conditioning ducts with which to deliver the heat to the different rooms of the house. However, there is a solution to adding heating to homes that have not been built for traditional forced air systems: radiant heaters.

As opposed to warm air systems (such as a forced air unit heaters), radiant heaters deliver the source of heat to the floor level, not the ceiling. Radiant heaters or radiant energy is the oldest form of heating used to provide comfort and is the basis for all heating systems.

Additionally, radiant heaters also offer more comfort than forced air heating by heating the atmosphere from the ground up. Since heat rises, the heat will be more evenly distributed, providing a much more comfortable atmosphere.

Radiant Heaters Tip: Radiant energy is totally pure radiation and is absorbed by an object without physical contact with the heat source or by heating the surrounding air, as is the case with convective, forced air systems. 


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