Comparing Radiant Heat and Traditional Forced Air Systems
What are the Advantages of Radiant Heat?
A room with radiant heat will have a much more uniform temperature from the ceiling to the floor than one with a forced air heating system. Forced air systems blow heat that quickly rises to the ceiling, and occupants tend to turn up the thermostat to fill the rooms with so much warm air that it eventually "pushes" the heat down to where we can feel it. However, with a radiant floor heating system, the heat originates where we need it most, to warm us from our feet to our heads. (This is especially advantageous in rooms where young children play or spend most of their time.) The warmth radiates from the floor to other objects and warms the air. The heat is not wasted by immediately gathering at the ceiling. Instead, the warmth is enjoyed from the floor up.
Heating a basement floor is an ideal application for a radiant heat system. If you've lived in a house with a forced air system, you know that even as you turn the heat up, the basement (especially the floors) tends to remain chilly. Installing a radiant floor warming system changes this, and will add comfort and warmth to your lifestyle.
Below is a general comparison of electric radiant heat systems and forced air heating systems. (For more information, read the article on Radiant Heat and Forced Air Heating Systems).
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SYSTEM COMPARISON CHART Radiant Heat vs. Forced Air Heating |
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| Efficiency | Electric Radiant Heat System | Forced Air and Gas Heating System |
| Efficiency at 100% of capacity | 100% | 60-90% |
| Efficiency at 50% of capacity | 100% | 30-60% |
| Efficient - relative thermal | 100% | 50-75% |
| 100% of energy is delivered to the heating element | YES | NO |
| Proper sized capacity of "off peak" conditions | YES | NO |
| Maintenance | Electric Radiant Heat System | Forced Air and Gas Heating System |
| Annual Maintenance Required - Clean or change filters; inspect for
carbon monoxide leaks |
NO | YES |
| Easy to repair | YES | NO |
| Controls - Simple and reliable | YES | VARIES |
| Cost Savings | Electric Radiant Heat System | Forced Air and Gas Heating System |
| Expandable - Easily and economically | YES | NO |
| Compatible with all floor coverings | YES | YES |
| Floor space required for installation (mechanical room) | NO | YES |
| Decorating limitations for furnishings, wall coverings, etc. (no registers, grills, radiators) | NO | YES |
| Simple installation and operation | YES | NO |
| Structural building cost increases required to accommodate | NO | NO |
| Venting required to outside and combustion air required | NO | YES |
| Concrete required - regular or lightweight | NO | NO |
| Remodeling | Electric Radiant Heat System | Forced Air and Gas Heating System |
| Retrofit-ability in existing concrete or asphalt | YES | NO |
| Retrofit into joist space effectively | YES | NO |
| Simple modification for remodeling | YES | NO |
| Easy and effective for large or small areas | YES | NO |
| Minimal floor height increase (1/8-inch or less) | YES | YES |
| Health and Safety | Electric Radiant Heat System | Forced Air and Gas Heating System |
| Health & Medical (doesn't distribute dust, pollen, allergens through the air) | YES | NO |
| Environmentally-friendly (greenhouse, glycol, etc.) | YES | NO |
| Safety (no high-voltage, no hot surfaces, no combustible gases) | YES | NO |