Baseboard Radiators
In the baseboard hydronic heating systems (shown below), water is heated in a gas-fired or oil-fired furnace located in the basement. The heated water is distributed through pipes into baseboards in various rooms. The heat is then delivered through radiation and convection. Although these are called radiant heating systems, most of the heat delivered is by convection. Heat delivery into rooms or zones can be controlled by flaps or louvers.
Radiant Floor Heat
Text description of the Radiant Floor Heating image.
The image depicts a section of a modern interior space, focusing on a flooring installation. The foreground features wooden floorboards that have a light, natural finish. Underneath the wooden planks, bright red heating pipes can be seen, which are arranged in a looping pattern on a light gray tiled surface. The tiles have a grid-like design, enhancing the structural appearance of the floor beneath. In the background, large windows allow natural light to flood the room.
There are three types of radiant floor heat:
- Radiant air floors (air is the heat-carrying medium)
- Electric radiant floors
- Hot water (hydronic) radiant floors.
Types of Installation
Electric radiant floors
Electric radiant floors are usually only cost-effective if your electric utility company offers time-of-use rates. Time-of-use rates allow you to “charge” the concrete floor with heat during off-peak hours (approximately 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.). If the floor's thermal mass is large enough, the heat stored in it will keep the house comfortable for eight to ten hours without any further electrical input. This practice saves a considerable number of energy dollars compared to heating at peak electric rates during the day.
Hydronic systems
Hydronic (liquid) systems, popular and cost-effective systems for heating-dominated climates, have been in extensive use in Europe for decades.
Hydronic radiant floor systems pump heated water from a boiler through tubing laid in a pattern underneath the floor. The temperature in each room is controlled by regulating the flow of hot water through each tubing loop via a system of zoning valves or pumps and thermostats.