http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/radiant-heat-floor-insulation/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=radiant-heat-floor-insulation Expert Home Improvement Advice Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:33:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/radiant-heat-floor-insulation/#comment-32579 Todd Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:03:17 +0000 http://localhost/test/2008/08/radiant-heat-floor-insulation/#comment-32579 @ Jim - You're correct in your terminology...but frankly it's just semantics as the industry has accepted the name. What I can tell you is it works quite nicely :) Warm feet in the morning is a very nice luxury. @ Jim – You’re correct in your terminology…but frankly it’s just semantics as the industry has accepted the name. What I can tell you is it works quite nicely :) Warm feet in the morning is a very nice luxury.

]]> http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/radiant-heat-floor-insulation/#comment-32543 Jim Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:06:29 +0000 http://localhost/test/2008/08/radiant-heat-floor-insulation/#comment-32543 Someone tell me I' crazy but as a mechanical engineering student in the 70's I learned that "radiant" heat was a form of heat transfer that came only from a high temperature source such as the sun or a flame such as in a wood stove. This form of heat transfer can work through the vacum of space as in the case of the sun. The term "radiant floor heat" in this regard is really a misnomer as the main method of heat transfer is really conduction. The reflective quality of metals is only effective as a true radiant heat barrier that is against a high temperature source. The relatively low temperature used in hydronic tubing should never have been called "radiant" and using a reflective insulation under the tubing in a crawl space would do nothing to help reflect this form of heat. And if it were in contact with the underside of the tubing it would help transfer the heat away from the very floor it was designed to heat. I wonder why no one else has pointed this out ? Someone tell me I’ crazy but as a mechanical engineering student in the 70′s I learned that “radiant” heat was a form of heat transfer that came only from a high temperature source such as the sun or a flame such as in a wood stove. This form of heat transfer can work through the vacum of space as in the case of the sun. The term “radiant floor heat” in this regard is really a misnomer as the main method of heat transfer is really conduction. The reflective quality of metals is only effective as a true radiant heat barrier that is against a high temperature source. The relatively low temperature used in hydronic tubing should never have been called “radiant” and using a reflective insulation under the tubing in a crawl space would do nothing to help reflect this form of heat. And if it were in contact with the underside of the tubing it would help transfer the heat away from the very floor it was designed to heat. I wonder why no one else has pointed this out ?

]]> http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/radiant-heat-floor-insulation/#comment-18527 Sam Underfloor Heating Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:44:13 +0000 http://localhost/test/2008/08/radiant-heat-floor-insulation/#comment-18527 Underfloor heating products are an efficient way of providing warmth throughout the home that have significant advantages over more traditional forms of heating. For the majority of installations, underfloor heating can act as the primary heat source. Underfloor heating products are an efficient way of providing warmth throughout the home that have significant advantages over more traditional forms of heating. For the majority of installations, underfloor heating can act as the primary heat source.

]]> http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/radiant-heat-floor-insulation/#comment-18512 Du Electric Radiant Heat Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:07:23 +0000 http://localhost/test/2008/08/radiant-heat-floor-insulation/#comment-18512 The fist time electric floor heating was specified for one of my kitchen remodel projects, it really raised my brows. Electric radiant heat under floor tile, in the bathroom too? How is that going to work? Electric radiant heat under carpet, is that safe either? Well, the product just blew my socks off. It is vastly easier and less expensive than the most common method of radiant heating, which is hydronic; under floor plastic tubing carrying re-circulating hot water. The fist time electric floor heating was specified for one of my kitchen remodel projects, it really raised my brows. Electric radiant heat under floor tile, in the bathroom too? How is that going to work? Electric radiant heat under carpet, is that safe either? Well, the product just blew my socks off. It is vastly easier and less expensive than the most common method of radiant heating, which is hydronic; under floor plastic tubing carrying re-circulating hot water.

]]> http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/radiant-heat-floor-insulation/#comment-495 David LaFerney Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:20:00 +0000 http://localhost/test/2008/08/radiant-heat-floor-insulation/#comment-495 Good article, but a couple of points - 1) if the floor heat is over an unheated garage or crawlspace then this is much more of an issue than if it is over another heated space - although the question implied that it was over a crawl space. <br/>2) Insulation is measured in R value, but a reflective radiant barrier is especially effective at controlling the movement of radiant energy which is what you have with this system. A properly installed radiant barrier (with an airspace) could be an effective part of making floor heat more efficient and shouldn't be discounted. Good article, but a couple of points – 1) if the floor heat is over an unheated garage or crawlspace then this is much more of an issue than if it is over another heated space – although the question implied that it was over a crawl space.
2) Insulation is measured in R value, but a reflective radiant barrier is especially effective at controlling the movement of radiant energy which is what you have with this system. A properly installed radiant barrier (with an airspace) could be an effective part of making floor heat more efficient and shouldn’t be discounted.

]]>