Heated Floors: Improving Energy Efficiency in the Home

Adding upgrades to home décor will significantly improve the look and feel of a home. For many homeowners, purchasing and installing new flooring provides for a great home addition. Deciding which flooring style to install, however, can be a challenge for some. With options such as traditional hardwood floors, laminate floors, carpet and even tile, home flooring has become a key focal point throughout a home. One such flooring option, however, is making waves in home décor and flooring upgrades. Known as radiant floor heating systems, many homeowners are opting for this optional floor design which also provides for an efficient method to heat a home.

With cutting edge technology, the radiant flooring system is installed under concrete, tile or sub flooring. Using electrical cable systems, heat is delivered throughout the flooring and then rises to the ceiling providing for a full heating home without the need for a HVAC unit.

For a more cost effective approach, using polyethylene tubing, running hot water through the flooring, will provide for a low cost heating process. As a general rule, the use of laminate flooring and tile will provide for the most optimal outcome in this type of radiant heated flooring.

In addition to the cost efficiency of radiant heated floors, these floors provide for a calming and relaxing environment in terms of noise. In contrast to HVAC units or furnaces, the radiant heated floors run with any creating any noise and will not circulate dust or allergens; a key factor crucially important to allergy sufferers.

With cost of the installation of the radiant heated floors as the primary disadvantage, many homeowners are turning to home equity lines of credit to pay for the cost associated with radiant flooring systems. In doing so, the flooring, with the average 15 percent savings in utility expenses, will pay for itself in only a few years.