Hydronic (liquid) systems, popular and cost-effective systems for heating-dominated climates, have been in extensive use in Europe for decades.

Hydronicradiant floor heating

Although ceramic tile is the most common floor covering for radiant floor heating, almost any floor covering can be used. However, some perform better than others. Common floor coverings like vinyl and linoleum sheet goods, carpeting, wood, or bare concrete are often specified.

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A new generation of in-floor hydronic heating that employs corrosion-proof, hot-water tubing has enjoyed widespread popularity in recent years. With this type of system, heat is evenly distributed and floors are warm under foot. A variety of heating equipment may heat water: natural gas or propane water heater or boiler, electric boiler, wood boiler, heat pump, solar collector, or even geothermal energy.

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Disadvantages ofradiant floor heating

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.

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Because air cannot hold large amounts of heat, radiant air floors are not cost-effective in residential applications and are seldom installed.

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Author: Dr. Sarma Pisupati, Professor, Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University.

Radiant heating

Instructions: Dr. P. is doing some remodeling and needs to purchase new flooring. Assuming his home uses radiant heat, help him select the most appropriate flooring option.

Hot waterradiant floor heatingsystems

Wet installations are the oldest form of modern radiant floor systems. In a wet installation, the tubing is embedded in the concrete foundation slab, or in a lightweight concrete slab on top of a subfloor, or over a previously poured slab.

Tubing for a hydronic system may be installed in a conventional concrete slab or in a lightweight, gypsum-cement slab. It can also be stapled to the undersides of subflooring as shown in the image below:

A new generation of hydronic heating: This photograph depicts corrosion-proof, hot-water tubing stapled to the underside of subflooring.

The John A. Dutton Institute for Teaching and Learning Excellence is the learning design unit of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University.

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The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences is committed to making its websites accessible to all users, and welcomes comments or suggestions on access improvements. Please send comments or suggestions on accessibility to the site editor. The site editor may also be contacted with questions or comments about this Open Educational Resource.

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.

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