RADIANT HEAT A Better Alternative Forced-air heating systems were developed at a time when energy was cheap and there were relative few alternatives to the "same old same old". As such, builders have continued to use forced-air furnaces because they relatively inexpensive to purchase and install, and are accepted practice. However, technological breakthroughs in hydronic radiant heating systems, such as pre-assembled control panels, modern boilers, commercially available thermal masses, and best practice installation methods (EasyFloor) have significantly reduced the cost premium for installing radiant heat systems. PEX tubing, especially the aluminum composite PEX used in EasyFloor, has virtually eliminated leakage problems in earlier radiant systems. Accordingly, when coupled with the many advantages of hydronic radiant heat, astute builders and informed consumers are increasingly demanding hydronic radiant heat - the better alternative.
Don't be fooled by a "92% efficiency" rating on a forced-air furnace. Radiant heat systems can be as much as 30-40% more efficient than forced-air systems. Why the difference? Because a radiant heat system is intrinsically a more effective method to distribute the heat. Forced-air systems can efficiently heat the air, but they lose efficiency when you factor in distributing it throughout the house. Much of the energy is trapped in the air higher up in the room. Radiant heat gently warms the solid objects in the room and then the air as it comes in contact with the radiantly-warmed objects.
Forced-air furnaces have been used long before central air conditional became popular. Adding an air conditioner to an existing furnace was a simple way of bringing air conditioning into a home. It was not the most efficient. In fact, quite the opposite, because warm air rises and cold air falls, the most efficient way to heat and cool a home is to heat from the bottom up, and cool from the top down. Modern radiant heat systems, combined with attic-mounted air conditioning systems do just that.
The huge difference in efficiency and comfort between heating and cooling a home with forced air and modern radiant heat systems. With energy costs expected to rise dramatically over the next five years, and increased emphasis on healthy living and work environments, hydronic radiant heat systems are clearly your best investment.
Radiant Heat Systems Deliver A Higher Quality of Living
Even Warmth Radiant heat gently and evenly warms the surfaces of objects in the room (the floor, the kids, cat and carpet). The air in the room is warmed when it comes into contract with the radiantly-warmed objects (the largest being the floor). Heat loss from occupants is reduced. In addition, with less air temperature stratification, the higher temperature near the floor keeps feet warm, while the slightly lower temperature towards the ceiling provides greater comfort at head level.
Energy Efficient The heat energy from hydronic radiant heat remains in the lower portion of the room - where most of us live. In addition, water is a more efficient conductor of energy. Unlike forced-air systems, rooms are not pressurized so air/heat leakage is reduced. By conservative estimates, energy savings are from 20% to 30%. Some projects have shown savings as high as 50% over traditional heating technologies.
Even, precise temperature Radiant homes typically feature multiple heat zones specifically tailored to the space usage requirements. With no dry, hot-air drafts to cause fluctuations in humidity and temperature, the system are designed to deliver precise heat. And there are no restrictions on room design, decoration or furniture placement.
No Emitters. No unsightly heat emitters, such as radiators or air vents detract from the room aesthetics or placement of furniture.
Quiet A properly designed and installed radiant system generates no noise from the gently flowing water circulating through the floor. The only sound made is from the operation of the burner in the boiler.
Clean and Health In contrast to forced-air systems, no dust, odors, germs or allergens are distributed throughout the building. Because only 5% of the heat transfer is by convection, room air circulation is extremely gentle. Allergy sufferers find radiant buildings a far better living environment.
Long-term durability Corrosion, impact, crush and pressure resistant, the Kitec® XPA™ composite tubing used in EasyFloor radiant heating systems is a major advance in improving the durability of radiant heat.
EasyFloor Is The Best Radiant Heat Solution The innovations of the EasyFloor System provide you with the all benefits of a radiant heat system while eliminating the shortcomings of other radiant heat solutions.
EasyFloor is an extremely efficient radiant heat system that will maximize your energy savings.
EasyFloor is perhaps the only system with an effective radiant barrier. Find out why a radiant barrier is so important on our EasyFloor (hotlink) page.
EasyFloor has the right amount of thermal mass. See the EasyFloor page for more details.
The EasyFloor system is designed to be quiet. It does not have the pops and squeaks from the expansion and contraction of the tubing that some systems have.
EasyFloor is the easiest system to install and maintain. Its modular design makes installation a snap. You should never have to fix a leak in the tubing of an EasyFloor system, but if it ever happens, you can easily get to the problem and fix it.
EasyFloor is light weight so you can use it on upper floors with no need for structural enhancements to your home.
Modular Solution The modular features of the EasyFloor™ System create a radiant floor that is unmatched in ease of installation and operating effectiveness.
The EasyFloor™ system is a unique modular "thermal sandwich" design that is composed of two major sections: the Thermal Mass Section; and the Tubing Section.
Thermal Mass Section A radiant floor should contain a Thermal Massthat creates even heat transfer over the surface of floor and retains heat to moderate sudden temperature changes in the room. Flooring goods (wood, tile, carpet, etc.) are placed on top of the Thermal Mass.
EasyFloor offers a choice of Thermal Mass:
Fiber cement boards, such as the HardiBacker® Board from the James Hardi Company.
EasyFloor HeatStone.
Plywood (moderate heat load only)
EasyFloor uses the right amount of Thermal Mass to spread the heat evenly across the floor and still provide good response time to thermostat changes. System with a large thermal mass, such as in-slab systems or light concrete pours, may take hours to respond to thermostat adjustments. Other systems that have no thermal mass may heat the floor unevenly and likewise may not respond effectively to room temperature changes.
Modular Tubing Section
Premium Tubing The EasyFloor System is typically supplied with a premium Kitec® XPA™ tubing from IPEX Inc. - a composite tubing consisting of a cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) with an aluminum core and an inner PEX lining. The tubing is engineered to withstand thermal cycling, is corrosion resistant and is safe for heated, pressurized water and stays in place when laid in the Tubing Base Module. This premium tubing virtually eliminates the potential for leaks and carries a manufacturer's 25 year warranty.
Tubing Base Module The patent pending EasyFloor Tubing Base Module is made from recycled plastic. The 16" x 16" grid interlocks with adjacent grids to form an incredibly flexible method of laying the tubing into the floor. Each Tubing Base Module has guides to allow the tubing to be laid down in a straight line, follow a curve for a 90 or 180 degree turn or "S" curve through the floor. This flexibility allows systems designers and installers to specify the right coverage for each room and easily conform to room and tubing circuit design layout. Unlike other over sub floor methods, there are no specially designed end-caps or turn pieces. Each grid is symmetrical and identical.
Heat Plate The aluminum Heat Plates drop into the Tubing Base Modules before the tubing is installed. They help conduct the heat from the tubing on to the thermal mass. (See how the radiant barrier described below works with the heat plate to direct heat energy up into the room and not down into the ground or space below.)
Radiant Barrier Another unique feature of the EasyFloor system is the use of a radiant barrier. A radiant barrier prevents heat loss by reflecting radiant energy off the barrier back to the thermal mass. EasyFloor uses a Thermal Reflecting Foil, which is a thin polyurethane sheet with aluminum surface required to achieve the radiant barrier. The EasyFloor system is able to have an effective radiant barrier because the Tubing Base Module creates an air space between the tubing and the barrier. Without the air space, part of heat energy will radiate downward - this is not what you want in a radiant heat system. For certain applications, the FloorHeat Company can provide a choice of radiant barriers that have a "bubble" pack that provides a more "cushiony" feel.
Acoustic Barrier The sound deadening acoustic properties for standard EasyFloor are excellent. However, installations demanding the ultimate in sound barrier effectiveness may choose to an optional acoustic barrier pad under the Radiant Barrier. This sound deadening layer, along wit the air space provided by the Tubing Base Module, and acoustic properties of the Thermal Mass, create a significantly more effective acoustic barrier than other radiant heat systems.
Control Panels and Heat Sources
The EasyFloor System may be purchased with or without the hydronic control panels and heat source. You may elect to have the FloorHeat Company provide the complete system; just the control panels and EasyFloor; or just EasyFloor. We'll work with you, your builder and/or heating contractor. We will work with your design to develop, an effective, yet affordable system.
The EasyFloor system works with a wide variety of heat sources including gas and electric fired boilers, geo-thermal heat pumps, on-demand hot water heaters, solar collectors, wood burning boilers, and others. You have the flexibility to decide the best heat source is best for your installation.
