If you’re looking for an effective heating system, a radiant floor heating system won’t disappoint. Consider a radiant floor heating system if you want one that won’t mess with your allergies.
- To find the best radiant floor heating system, consider the type, warranty, period, room size, and thermostat features.
- The best radiant floor heating system is Heatwave Electric Floor Heating System.
- The best budget pick is HEATIT Warmmat Electric Radiant Floor Heating System.
This guide covers the most efficient radiant floor heating systems and their pros and cons.
Benefits of Radiant Floor Heating Systems
First, let’s talk about why radiant floor heating systems have become popular and why you should choose them over other heating systems.
1. More Energy Efficient
Radiant floor heating systems are directly built into the floors. Therefore, there is absolutely no need for ducts. This reduces the energy loss caused due to ducts.
Moreover, most radiant floor heating systems run at lower temperatures (around 84 degrees Fahrenheit) than traditional heaters. This way, they offer maximum efficiency even at lower energy requirements.
2. Prevents Allergies
Allergies are a bane of existence, and you should invest in radiant floor heating.
As radiant floor heating systems are practically ductless, the allergens cannot accumulate in the duct and spread throughout the room through the heating system.
3. Noise-Free Operation
Sometimes, your heating systems might produce strange noise during their operation.
However, you won’t have to worry about noise from radiant floor heating systems. This is because no noisy vents, furnaces, or ducts are present to produce noise.
Things To Consider Before Buying Radiant Floor Heating Systems
There are so many options available when it comes to radiant floor heating systems. So, how do you pick the right heating system for you? Well, look at the mentioned considerations below before choosing your pick:
1. Choose a Radiant Floor Heating System Type
Radiant floor heating systems are usually available in two types – hydronic and electric. Both of them have their own set of pros and cons.
- Electric Heating System
As the name suggests, electric heating systems consist of several cables for heating. When the cables receive electricity, they heat up and further heat up the entire flooring.
Electric heating systems are straightforward to install as there aren’t many complicated parts involved. However, the drawback here is that they run on electricity, so they can get quite expensive for heating large rooms.
They’re also not as energy efficient as hydronic heating systems. Therefore, we recommend opting for an electric heating system for small rooms, or only if you’re ready to spend a lot.
- Hydronic Heating System
Unlike electric heating systems, hydronic heating systems rely on boiler-heated water to warm up the floor. This boiler–heated water is circulated via an intricate network of the tubing below the floor.
As hydronic heating systems don’t use electricity, they are a cost-effective option for electric heating systems.
Hence, you can install them for bigger and more spacious rooms. They are also typically more energy-efficient compared to electric heating systems.
Keep in mind that hydronic heating systems have several complex parts. So you might have to call a technician to set it up.
2. Check the Warranty
Before you purchase any radiant floor heating system, always check the warranty period.
Maintaining heating systems can be tricky, which is where an extended warranty period can help. I suggest opting for heating systems with a limited lifetime warranty (at least 15 – 20 years).
You might find heating systems with a 3 to 5 years warranty period too, but really, it’s too less.
3. Consider the Room Size
You’ll find several floor heating system sizes (feet or inches). Ensure that you take note of the room size and choose a floor heating system accordingly.
If you take a smaller size, it might affect the overall heating efficiency of the system. On the contrary, you’ll have to pay more for larger sizes. Also, if the cables are too long, you’ll have to cut them; some systems may not allow that.
4. Look for Customizability in Thermostats
Most radiant floor heating systems come with thermostats today. This way, you’ll be able to turn the heating on/off as required. However, it is better to opt for thermostats offering advanced settings.
For instance, some thermostats allow you to change and adjust the temperatures about the time of the day. There are many more customizable features provided in the thermostat as well.
6 Radiant Floor Heating Systems
After considering various factors, the top picks for the best radiant floor heating systems are listed below.
1. Heatwave Electric Floor Heating System
While checking several heating systems, this one stood out in every possible way. First, it is available in various sizes to accommodate all types of rooms. The sizes range between 10 square feet and 100 square feet.
If you’re not good at installation, this floor heating system will make things easier for you. It has an adhesive bottom that allows you to attach it to the subflooring or reposition it effortlessly.
Additionally, the thermostat provided with this heating system is simply top-notch. It has way more features than you can understand.
Now, coming to its primary purpose, the Heatwave heating system can heat the whole room, no matter the size, in less than 45 minutes. It also comes with a limited lifetime warranty period of 25 years.
The company’s customer service is fantastic if you run into size-related or other issues. You can reach out to them and receive a prompt response.
If you’re not interested in buying a mat, this brand offers a simple cable set alternative.
Pros
- Excellent heating mechanism.
- The thermostat is full of rich features.
- The customer service is prompt and flexible.
- The mat quickly adheres to the subflooring.
Cons
- The instructions can get unclear.
- A little expensive.
2. HEATIT Warmmat Electric Radiant Floor Heating System
If you don’t wish to buy an expensive radiant floor heating system, opt for this one. It pairs up both affordability and efficiency. However, note that you will have to purchase a thermostat separately.
This radiant floor heating system comes with a simple mat that is easy to install. You’ll find that the underlay area is self-adhesive and can quickly stick to the subflooring. Also, the cables are customizable, so you can adjust the mat to the floor shape.
Note that you cannot use this system near the pool area. However, you can use it for other wet areas (like shower areas) or moisture-rich areas (like greenhouses). This heating system also comes with a 30–year limited lifetime warranty.
The installation is not the simplest, as the cables can get a little thick and require concrete to cover them up adequately.
Pros
- Self-adhesive mat.
- Customizable cables.
- If you purchase a thermostat, you can have several features.
- Quick shipping.
Cons
- The thermostat is not included in the purchase.
- Installation may take time due to thick cables.
3. Warming Systems 30 Sqft Cable Set
The Warming Systems Cable Set won’t disappoint if you’re unconcerned about the price and want a feature-rich product.
Unlike other mentioned products, this one doesn’t come in the form of a mat. You might see it as a limitation, but you’ll get a lot of flexibility. You can place the cables and angle them as you like without the limiting factor of the mat’s dimensions.
Regarding additional features, this product comes with a programmable thermostat with an in-built floor sensor. Moreover, it also comes with an installation monitor excluded from other similar products.
During the installation process, an installation monitor will alert you with a sound whenever the cables are damaged or working improperly. This way, you’ll know whether you’ve installed the heating system correctly.
This product comes with a 25-year warranty period, which is good enough.
The only major drawback is that you cannot cut the cables. So, you should get the exact size only.
Pros
- It comes with an advanced thermostat and installation monitor.
- The non-mat approach offers flexibility during installation.
- Installation is quick and straightforward.
Cons
- It can get expensive.
- Size-related issues may occur as cables cannot be cut.
4. QuietWarmth Radiant Floor Heating System
QuietWarmth Floor Heating System won’t waste a chunk of your salary on electricity bills. We’ve included this product for its cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency. It is also suitable if you’re looking for a small heating area instead of the whole room.
This heating system offers an ultra-thin mat that will keep your floor’s height uniform even after installation. The best part is that you can cut the mat to fit it wherever you want to. Hence, extra points for customizability.
If you’re worried about the installation, don’t be. This mat is one of the easiest to install, with clear-cut instructions. You can also contact the company’s technical support team, who are pretty helpful.
Like other products, this one also has a 25-year limited lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Quick and easy installation.
- Customizability in size.
- Energy and cost-efficient.
- It offers proper heating and warmth.
Cons
- Proper packaging.
- The thermostat requires a separate purchase.
5. SunTouch WarmWire Electric Floor Heating Kit
For areas beyond 100 square feet, this is highly recommended. It comes in various sizes and even goes up to 150 square feet, while most competitors offer sizes up to 100 square feet.
Another extraordinary feature of this heating system is its dual-wire technology, which increases efficiency and decreases energy requirements.
Moreover, you’ll also get the added accessories with a splendid heating system. The kit comprises a customizable and programmable thermostat, installation accessories, and a floor sensor.
SunTouch offers a limited lifetime warranty of 25 years.
A word of caution – this heating system is difficult to install even with crystal-clear instructions. So, look for other options if you consider yourself an amateur at DIY stuff.
Pros
- Uses modern technology for increased efficiency.
- It comes with a thermostat, floor sensor, and other accessories.
Cons
- Hard to install.
- Expensive.
6. MYAVA Electric Floor Heating System
This splendid and easy-to-install MYAVA floor heating system is the last on the list.
This floor heating system offers a Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat at a pretty good rate. In addition, you can adjust the heating system’s settings easily through your smartphone.
Furthermore, despite its affordable price, it comes with accessories like a thermostat, installation monitor, safety gloves, and a repair kit.
The whole installation process looks relatively easy as the heating mat is self-adhesive. You can also cut the mat based on your requirements.
You might need to contact the manufacturer directly to get information on the warranty.
Pros
- Easy installation.
- Wi-Fi enabled thermostat.
- The whole kit comes with various accessories.
Cons
- Only three sizes are available.
- Only a few user reviews are available.
Takeaway
This guide has covered some of the best radiant floor heating systems available in the market. You can pick any depending on your budget and room requirements.
Keep in mind that the heating systems mentioned in this list are electric. If you want a hydronic heating system, you might’ve to call your technician.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Disadvantages of Radiant Floor Heating?
Radiant floor heating installation costs are typically more than standard heating systems. Moreover, electricity bills can also significantly increase for electric heating systems.
Which Is Better: Electric or Hydronic Floor Heating?
Electric heating systems are better for those who want quick installation and aren’t concerned about the electricity charges.
On the contrary, hydronic heating systems require elaborate installation but are more cost-effective.
