Radiant floor heating systems produce heat through thermal radiation. By heating the floor rather than the surrounding air, they provide indirect, diffused heat that radiates from the floor up. This heat is absorbed by surrounding objects, and they in turn help to warm the entire room. Radiation transmits thermal energy in the air through electromagnetic waves. These waves contain potential energy for as long as they remain unobstructed. Once they hit an obstacle, they release their energy in the form of heat through the material, in this case, your floors, walls, furniture and even yourself! You, therefore, feel the direct radiant heat as well as a uniform heat, even when the surrounding air temperature is low.

With radiant heat, comfort tends to be felt sooner and at a lower temperature. There is minimal air flow, keeping the temperature comfortable and even, everywhere in the room.

Will Heated Floors Heat My Room?

Radiant heating comes in different heat outputs, with a higher wattage available in order to provide enough heat for high heat loss areas such as sunrooms.

The heat output of an underfloor heating system needs to be greater than the heat loss of the room or area it is heating in order for the system to provide enough heat. So it is important to conduct a heat loss calculation to ensure that the system is suitable. This can be conducted by Heat Wave and will help you to choose the correct design for the underfloor heating system. If you need help, contact us and we will help you to choose the radiant floor heat system and design.