Radiant heating is a preferred way to heat up the homes these days. This is because a radiant floor is not only more efficient than the forced air system but it is also very cost effective.  There are two types of radiant floor heating systems installed in homes. They are electric radiant floor heating systems and hydronic radiant floor heating systems. Here is a look at both heating systems.

Electric radiant floor heating

It is a popular type of electric in floor heating system. It works exactly like a toaster. There is electric wiring preinstalled under the floor which heats up through electricity being conducted through it. The heated up wires in turn heat up the floor. The hot floor soon heats up the room as well through rising hot air.

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The electric radiant floor heating system involves panels placed with the pre installed wires. These panels have usually been attached to an electrical circuit that is controlled by a thermostat and can be turned on and off at will. They can even be installed in places like kitchen and bathroom with really cold floors. This is really welcome as these places often have people walking barefoot.

Hydronic radiant floor heating

This type of radiant under floor heating systems involves hot water. This hot water usually moves in the under floor tubing. This type of radiant floor is as good as an electric radiant floor but it has to be installed before the floors are laid down, because they have to be set firmly in cement. This makes it a little complicated and expansive to install the hydronic heat floors than the electric floor heating.

The hydronic heated floor can easily stay warmer for a longer time than the radiant electric floor because water can carry the heat for a longer time than electricity. Also the water can be heated up in a number of ways, through solar heaters, gas heaters, electricity heaters or even a wood boiler. This offers flexibility in choosing the heating system as well as saving some money while at it.

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