HeatPly Radiant Heating

Frequently Asked Questions

Comfortable floors

If you have further questions please contact us.

FAQ Index:

What is radiant floor heating?

Radiant floor heating is a comfortable and efficient form of heating where warm water circulates through flexible, specially designed tubing (PEX) installed within the floor. The heat radiates evenly up through the floor warming the room while providing more comfort for less money.

Is radiant floor heating a new invention?

Radiant heating has been around for 2 thousand years. The Romans first used radiant floor heating (with hot water & steam) in their Hypocausts.

What makes radiant floor heating so comfortable?

Very. Unlike traditional heating systems that just warm the air, radiant heating warms the floor. The entire floor distributes a consistent, even, and quiet heating. There are no drafts and radiant floor heating takes the chill out of cold tile, marble and wood floors.

Comfortable floors

 

Hydronic heat

Benefits of radiant heat?

Unlike other heating methods, radiant heat heats the floor surface and surrounding objects instead warming the moving air. With radiant heat you feel comfortable at a lower thermostat setting, so your fuel bills will be lower. The system is quiet, low maintenance and operates more efficiently than any other heating system when using zones. This system also offers superior comfort.

PEX tubing

How long will the PEX tubing last?

PEX tubing will last as long as the structure it's installed in. PEX tubing has been in use for over twenty years in Europe and life cycle testing has demonstrated that PEX can last in excess of seventy years. PEX is an inert material, virtually indestructible by common elements.

Heating systems

Do I need tubing with an oxygen diffusion barrier?

An oxygen diffusion barrier is a special coating applied to the tubing. Barrier PEX is used for radiant heating applications, such as radiant floor heating, in floor heaters, baseboards, radiator systems and boiler supply lines. Barrier PEX features an Oxygen Diffusion Barrier, which helps to prevent corrosion of cast iron parts in the heating systems.

Comfortable floors

In floor heating

Radiant Heat and air conditioning?

If you want radiant heat and air conditioning, we recommend installing a distribution system for air conditioning within the ceiling and radiant heat tubing within the floor. Combining a forced hot air heating system and an air conditioning system utilizing floor registers is a less comfortable, dustier, and more expensive alternative than using two separate systems.

Heated floors

How will my floor's materal affect performance?

Stone, tile, wood, and vinyl are fairly good conductors of heat and do not present any special design considerations. Carpeting requires more temperature from below to force the heat through the carpet and into the room. This may require improved insulation below the floor to prevent downward heat loss.