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December 25, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
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For anyone who is looking for a great way to
save energy, and maximize comfort, then radiant
heaters may be the ideal solution. Installing radiant
heaters in a home under construction or in an
existing home is proven to cut heating costs. It
works by putting water lines in the
home’s concrete floors or under existing floors
and running hot water through them. Radiant
heaters help to keep the whole house at a more
constant temperature. In this way, our regular heaters
don’t have to do as much to keep things
warm and toasty during the winter.
You’ll find that
switching to Radiant
heaters will not only help save energy and lower
heating costs, but it will certainly add to
comfort as well. That is because it put the heat
at our feet, which are generally cold, and offers cooler
air near head level, where we are generally a
little warmer.
Many times, what first springs
to mind when people think of eco-friendly energy
and heating is solar power. While solar panels are
expensive, there are other eco-friendly ways to cut your
power bill. In fact, energy savings can be found
right beneath your feet:
radiant
heaters.
Radiant Heaters Tip: It is reported that
many people waste a lot of energy by not sealing
cracks, doors and windows; checking to make sure a
home’s insulation is in good shape and replacing it
if it’s not is another good way to stop energy
waste.
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December 15, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
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Yes, it might take a little effort, but being
more environmentally friendly doesn’t
have to involve major renovations. Many people waste a
lot of energy by not sealing cracks, doors and windows.
Checking to make sure a home’s insulation
is in good shape and replacing it if it’s
not is another good surefire way to stop, prevent, and
reverse energy waste.
Quite simply put, radiant
heaters are the most efficient form of heat
available in today’s market.
Significantly less operating time is required to attain
and maintain the desired warmth compared to
furnaces and other, traditional methods of
heating, which keeps operational costs to a minimum.
High efficiency boilers or
electric radiant floor systems makes radiant
heat one of your most efficient ways to heat your
home. Combined with a well-insulated home these
systems can quickly warm your home and then shut
down or wait idle for long periods of time before being
called upon by the thermostat to operate. Don’t
waste expensive heating fuel another day.
Radiant Heaters Tip: More than ever before,
homebuilders, househunters, and home renovators alike are
looking for energy-efficient heating options for
houses. We say they need look no further than radiant
heaters for their ideal home heating solution.
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December 19, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
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Sometimes can be
hard to narrow down what kind of radiant
heaters to install. There are dozens of products
available to purchase, and there are even more
companies telling you that their product is the best.
For many homeowners, electric cable heating systems,
often called line- or high-voltage systems, are
gaining popularity and are ideal for heating smaller
areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and sun rooms. These systems
are comprised of a thermostat and a heating cable.
These radiant
heater systems are oftentimes less expensive,
and give the ability to customize a layout that will
heat every square inch of your floor.
Every available radiant heater cable system is
equally effective, so when determining which system to
purchase, you should look at the warranty of the
product, along with the ease of installation. Some cables
must be embedded in a separate layer of concrete or
mortar, whereas other systems can simply be installed
in the thinset. Most radiant heater cable systems can
only be installed under tile. However, on others, if the
cable is embedded in mortar or concrete, any flooring
can be installed on top of the concrete.
Radiant Heaters Tip: When heating smaller
areas, it is nearly impossible to beat the simplicity
and price of an electric cable radiant heating
system.
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November 02, 2010 00:11 AM  BY WARMZONE
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Portable Heating Mats and Stair Treads
Send Your
Shovel, Salt and Snow Removal Service Packing with
Warmtrax Outside Snow Melting Mats
Are you sick
of scraping icy driveways, hefting a snow shovel, or
brushing salt stains off of your pants? WarmTrax portable
snow melting mats provide the perfect
alternative to snow removal. They are an efficient,
portable, low-cost snow and ice melting solution
that will have your stairs, walkways, ramps and
outdoor areas clear and free of snow and ice, without
all of the effort.
Just how do
they work? Warmzone WarmTrax portable snow
melting mats are made of an electrically
operated heating element sandwiched between two
protective surfaces of non-slip rubber, making them as
durable as automobile tires, and able to handle harsh
wear. In addition to melting snow and ice, their
continuous chevron pattern provides extra traction
on well-traveled walkways, ramps and stairs for added
safety.
Offering
several custom options, WarmTrax portable snow melting
traction mats come in various sizes to accommodate
specific areas, from a carpeted welcome mat, to
the choice of aluminum or rubber stair treads, to a mat
as long as twenty feet designed to handle a walkway or
ramp. With so
many choices in size, length and price,
WarmTrax outside heating mats give you the freedom to
purchase a radiant
heat solution for problem areas outside of
your home that's less expensive than a full blown
snowmelt system. Because they are so portable,
it's easy to move and interchange portable snow
melting mats to target specific areas on your walk,
stairs or porch.
There's
nothing worse than having your walk ice up overnight,
and discover you're out of snow melting chemicals
to combat the problem. Or to wake up to the sound
of your snow removal company clearing
your driveway at 6:00 a.m. Both of these
scenarios, in addition to the inconvenience posed,
involve ongoing costs. Not so with WarmTrax
portable snow melting mats. After your initial
purchase, outside heating mats are the gift that keeps
on giving. Just roll them out, and plug them in,
for effortless snow and ice removal for just
pennies on the dollar.
Find
out more about how radiant heat can become
a part of your winter weather strategy.
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Additional
Articles and Radiant Heat Info
Shop
for Radiant Heat Solutions
What
is Radiant Heat?
Snow
Melting Options
Search "WARMZONE" on your Facebook accounts
and become a fan.
Visit
us on Twitter
2056 S. 1100 E.
Salt Lake City, Utah 84106
Phone:801.326.5100
Toll Free:888.488.9276 Fax:801.326.5199
info@warmzone.com
www.warmzone.com
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Kick Traditional Heating Systems to the Curb
Affordable
Radiant Floor Heating is Here to Stay
Traditional
heating systems had their place back in a day and age
when little was known about radiant heat and the
inherent benefits of using it to heat a home.
Unfortunately traditional forced
air heating systems are at a distinct
disadvantage because they used heat to warm the
surrounding air. When only air is heated that means that
the warmest heat rises to the ceiling, making this
type of heating somewhat inefficient and costly.
Having the warmest air at the top of your primary
living space is not an efficient way to heat your home.
Radiant
floor heating
is becoming the top choice when heating a
home, or complementing your existing system as it
utilizes the opposite principles of traditional forced
air heating and baseboard heating
systems.
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Radiant floor heat
efficiently provides comfortable warmth.
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Underfloor
heating systems distribute comfortable
warmth evenly across the floor, allowing the heat to
rise naturally and generate consistent warmth in
the entire room. For you, the consumer, this means
warmer air at a lower cost. Radiant
heat uses smart technology that starts heat
flowing on the ground where you need and want it
most. The warmth that a heated
floor system provides offers comfort and
delight and can be installed under almost any type of
floor surfaces including wood,
tile,
and carpet. Many floors can also be retrofitted
with radiant heat. It’s time
to consider kicking the dinosaur heating systems to the
curb and getting on board with radiant floor
heating which is definitely here to stay.
For more
information on radiant
floor heating, driveway
heating or RoofHeat
systems, call 888.488.9276 today.
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December 21, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
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Innovations in home heating are here and ready
to keep your home comfortably heated!Flat
panel radiant
heaters are used to heat objects via radiant heat
transfer. These radiant heaters have
traditionally been used in a variety of industries
and applications. Some of these applications include
space heating, drying, curing, and water
evaporation. More recently, these heating
systems are also gaining popularity in home heating
applications as well.
Radiant
heaters use different types of emitter surfaces.
Choices include: quartz, high-temperature glass,
stainless steel, and ceramic tiles. These are
all materials that are easily and efficiently used in
home applications such as flooring, countertops,
and towel racks. Because these items are easily
turned into emitter surfaces for radiant heat,
they can easily and beautifully be incorporated into
home heating applications such as heated floors,
walls, and towel racks.
To find out about radiant
heaters for your home, check with the folks at
warmzone.com. They have a complete product catalog of
radiant heating solutions that can accommodate
almost any application or budget.
Radiant Heaters Tip:
Not only are radiant
heaters a great way to efficiently heat a home,
while maximizing your home’s beauty, but
they are very cost effective and easy to
install.
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March 02, 2011 00:03 AM  BY WARMZONE
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Online Wall
Street Journal Interviews Warmzone Sales Manager, Bryan
Morris
The Wall Street
Journal recently cited Warmzone Sales Manager, Bryan
Morris, in an online article, “
The New Cold Warrior
,” published January 19, 2011. The piece
features an in-depth view of the various snow removal
tools and methods that are available to homeowners
nowadays; ranging from battery operated snow blowers and
ergonomic shovels to fully automated
radiant heat systems. The general emphasis of
the article is that high-tech snow removal solutions are on
the rise because they are not only easy on the driveway and
surrounding property, but also on the body.
Much of the
exposé was devoted to Warmzone, including a spotlight
on one of its recent snow
melting projects. Richard Silverstein of Chappaqua,
N.Y., purchased the snow
melting system from Warmzone for his home’s
steep 8,000-square-foot stone-paver driveway and walkways
around his outdoor hot tub. The 60-year-old
neuro-ophthalmologist works out of his house and was
concerned that patients and visitors might hurt themselves
because of icy conditions. The Journal was particularly
interested in the Silverstein job because of the size
and scope of the project.
Dr. Silverstein
emphasized that he didn’t want to be at the mercy of
numerous plows and snow blowers, but instead wanted to be
"stress free" during the winter months. That’s
when he decided to explore the options for radiant
heat. Bryan Morris was the Warmzone representative
who answered Dr. Silverstein’s call. Together with a
team of designers and electrical engineers, Morris
worked to develop the extensive snow
melting system.
“At
Warmzone,” Morris stated, “we deal with a
variety of affordable environmentally green products;
ranging from interior floor heating
solutions to heated
driveways and snow melting systems that melt snow
and ice from roofs, gutters, walkways, ramps, etc. Our
approach is to thoroughly understand our customer’s
needs, recommend services and solutions to meet those
needs, and to support them before, during and after
the sale.”
As a leader of
radiant heat solutions, Warmzone carries a host of industry-leading
snow melting and radiant floor heating products. The
company also provides professional radiant
heat design services along with detailed CAD
drawings of each radiant heat system.
The Wall Street
Journal article further elaborated on the components of
Warmzone’s automated snow melting
systems in addition to the cost and benefits of
electric radiant heating. For a FREE quote, or to
learn more about Warmzone heated driveways, roof deicing or radiant heated
floors, visit the Warmzone website or call a radiant heat expert
today, at 888.488.9276.
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December 15, 2011 00:12 AM  BY WARMZONE
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Radiant Floor Heating for Every Dimension
What's the
Best Radiant Floor Heating Solution for You? (PART I)
Are you
building a home, remodeling a room or retrofitting an
existing living space with radiant heat but
aren’t sure where to start? Warmzone has
plenty of hot options for your next radiant heated floor
project, plus the expertise and experience to
support you—from budgeting and planning to
design and installation.
Heating Tile Floors
The
foundation of many Warmzone radiant heat solutions,
ComfortTile heat cable,
is the perfect off-the-spool answer for
most custom-shaped floor heating projects,
including bathroom floors, kitchen and laundry room
surfaces. That’s because ComfortTile cable
can be rolled out and configured to fit tight or
unique areas other radiant heat
products, such as mats or panels,
can’t. It has a mere ⅛-inch diameter and
can be installed under most floor types, including
marble, ceramic tile and slate flooring without
floor buildup. And every ComfortTile
radiant heated floor system comes complete
with GFCI protected thermostat and strapping to
secure and properly space the heating cable for safe,
easy installation.
Of course,
many radiant heat projects lack the dimensional
challenges a unique layout presents. For these
projects, ComfortTile cable is available in
pre-configured mats.
ComfortTile mats
feature heat cable on an adhesive-backed fiberglass
mesh. The cable is pre-spaced to maximize overall
performance and take the guesswork out of radiant
heated floor installation. ComfortTile floor heating
mats can be used in 120 and 240 volt applications,
and require only one cold lead connection. The
mats are available in various lengths at a width
of 24 inches, and are flexible, practical, affordable
radiant heat solutions for most homeowners and
do-it-yourselfers.
Radiant Heat for Wet and Dry Applications
Are you ready
to take radiant
heat to the garden level? If you’re
looking for a versatile radiant floor
heating product that’s safe for use
in both wet and dry applications such as basement
floors, then Warmzone In-Slab heat cable
is for you. Waterproofed and protected by a
metal shield, In-Slab heat cable is great for a
variety of concrete applications. Featuring an extremely
fast response time, In-Slab heat cable produces
10-15 watts per square foot and can efficiently
radiate heat through any flooring, from ceramic to
marble, hardwood and slate, so it’s good for
small and large areas alike.
(
continued below . . . )
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How to Install a Heated Floor
With
Electric Heated Floors, You can do Much of the
Installation
Given the
recent economic climate, more and more homeowners
are opting to take the do-it-yourself approach
when it comes to home improvement. Large
hardware stores have addressed the trend by offering
advice and instructions for performing many
tasks that just a generation ago would have
been thought to be best left to professionals.
Perhaps
you have a house that you very much enjoy, which is
in an ideal location, yet it’s still
not quite your “dream home”. One issue
that may be bothering you is the cold bathroom
floor. Sure, you can put rugs and mats down,
but what’s the sense of having a beautiful
tile floor if it is always covered? Rather
than sweeping the problem under the rug, so to
speak, why not take care of this issue once and for
all. Why not install
a heated tile floor?
You can
either tear out the old floor to install a floor
heating system or, if you can access
the floor joists from below, you can easily
retrofit your existing tile floor with radiant heat.
Warmzone offers two outstanding floor heating
systems that can be used to retrofit existing
floors with radiant
heat, FloorHeat and RetroHeat.
Both
systems feature thin, flexible heating elements that
can be cut to the required length and then
stapled up in the floor joists. After stapling
the heating panels between the floor joists, the
electrical connections are made and common
batt insulation is installed underneath the
heating element. The insulation enhances the energy
efficiency by minimizing heat loss
and directing the warmth upwards through the
floor. For more details of these systems, refer to
the FloorHeat
product page and the RetroHeat
floor heating page.
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Radiant Heated Floors for Every Dimension (Part II)
Heating Hardwood and Carpeted Areas
To get the
best radiant heat system performance and efficiency in
laminate or engineered wood floor applications,
HeatShield radiant floor heating insulation panels
are the way to go. The panels consist of a
½-inch thick polystyrene insulation covered
with a thin, specially profiled aluminum that
reflects all the heat up through the floor in the most
efficient manner possible, so you get a nice, even
heat radiating up from the floor that you can feel
from your head to your toes. Installation is
easy—just lay insulation on the existing
floor, clip the panels together and press heat
cable into the grooves provided. Then, simply lay the
laminate or wood flooring on top.
Looking for a radiant heat
solution that can deliver safe, even,
efficient heat distribution under a variety of
surfaces? From heating tile, to stone, resilient,
laminate, hardwood and carpet, no other radiant
heating element can match the properties of
FloorHeat.
Low-voltage, self-regulating FloorHeat is a
thin polymer
heating element that has no effect on
floor buildup, weight loads or flooring choices.
It’s easily secured to the subfloor with
adhesive, staples or pegs, and can be cut to
length and installed under
most floor coverings, making it a hassle-free
choice for new construction and retrofit radiant
heat projects. The system does require the use of a step-down transformer, which converts
the line voltage (220 V) to the low voltage (60 V
or less).
Retrofitting Floors with Radiant Heat
It’s never a bad time to
purchase and install radiant
heated floors, because for every
application, Warmzone has the experts and the expertise
necessary to take on any radiant heat installation
challenge. With
RetroHeat
, you can reap the same benefits of radiant
floor heat without disturbing your existing
floors. The RetroHeat under floor heating
system consists of heating
panels, connection materials, and unique digital thermostat
that includes a 16-amp GFCI breaker and floor
sensor for accurate programming. Heating panels
are available for joists with 12, 16, and 24-inch
spacing and can be cut on site and safely stapled
between the floor joists to deliver warm, even
heat throughout your home.
To learn more
about Warmzone’s complete line of radiant heat
products, call 888.488.9276 or visit us
at www.warmzone.com.
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June 27, 2011 00:06 AM  BY WARMZONE
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Heating Professionals Turn to Warmzone
Offering Electric Radiant Heat Increases Business
for Hydronic and HVAC Installers
With the number of hydronic and HVAC
professionals offering electric radiant heat
solutions on the rise, it’s evident
contractors are beginning to see (and reap)
the benefits of offering electric radiant
heating options to their customers.
Warmzone’s top buyers for 2010 were,
in fact, hydronic and HVAC contractors. Why?
Because they realized electric radiant heat helped
them secure more business. Calling Warmzone helped
make these heating professionals more
profitable, while increasing their business in small
tile area (bathroom), roof deicing,
snow melting
and independent zone projects. If
you’re a hydronic or HVAC professional, you
too can realize the benefits of adding electric radiant
floor heating and snow
melting installation to your menu of
services.
Warmzone radiant heat solutions can help
grow your business.
Radiant heat
is a growing trend for commercial and
residential projects, and a great way to capture new
business. It’s also a great opportunity to
distinguish your company from the rest of
the competition by offering unique products they
don’t. You’ll realize increased
revenue and margins, allowing you to be
profitable on product sales as well as installation.
With the help and support of Warmzone behind
you, expanding your realm of expertise is a
realistic proposition. Of course any new product has
a learning curve. Warmzone has technical
professionals available to assist you with
all aspects of the job, from sales to installation.
You’ll have all of the support you need not
only to get the job done but to get it done
right, create satisfied customers and win new or
repeat business. Because radiant heat requires
minimal structural change during
installation, it’s a practical upgrade to
your business model.
Request a
Quote (Continued)
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Additional
Articles and Radiant Heat Info
Radiant
Heated Floors
Snow
Melting Options
Design and Engineering Services
Visit "WARMZONE" on Facebook
and become a fan.
Visit us
on Twitter
2056 S. 1100 E.
Salt Lake City, Utah 84106
Phone:801.326.5100
Toll Free:888.488.9276 Fax:801.326.5199
info@warmzone.com
www.warmzone.com
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Heat Your Existing Floors
RetroHeat - The Ideal Solution for
Heating Existing Floors
The heat of July is fully upon us.
It’s getting harder to imagine a
time when the air conditioner was turned off and
the heat was on full, but it
wasn’t too long ago, and now it’s
not too far in the future. It’s
time to think about how you can help heat your
client’s homes this coming
winter, and a RetroHeat
floor heating system from Warmzone
is one of the best options available.
RetroHeat is a cost-effective floor
heating product that is a great project
for consumers looking to upgrade their homes
without having to deal with major
remodeling issues. If the client has clear open
access to the floor joists of the room
they would like to heat, then installing
radiant heat is a snap. No need to destroy and
rebuild whole floors of their home,
RetroHeat is the clear solution. Simply staple
the heating
panel between the floor joists,
followed by a layer of insulation and
you’ve got yourself a radiant
heated floor.
Any type of floor can benefit from
RetroHeat’s floor warming system.
The carpet in a living room, the hardwood in a
walkway, the tile in a kitchen; all of
these are capable of being made more cozy with
RetroHeat. The floor surface may be of any
material having a total thermal
insulation value of less than R-11 / RSI-2. A
simple-to-understand heating thermostat gives
your client complete control over
temperature and time release.
If a RetroHeat project seems like the
right fit, Warmzone experts are waiting
for the call to help you design the system that
will work best for your new project.
Radiant floor heat is a great solution if your
client would rather not spend money on a new
circulating air system. RetroHeat
systems warm the ground beneath their feet
rather than the air above their heads.
RetroHeat’s benefits
aren’t only cost and ease of
installation. They are
energy efficient, thin and lightweight.
No energy is wasted in
heating air and then blowing it through
the house – instead,
the energy is directly transferred to
the floors. Because of their
unique installation system, no floor
buildup is necessary.
Maybe there’s a room
in your client’s house that has
always seemed colder than
the others, or a late addition that
didn’t get the same
insulation as the rest of the house. Or
maybe your clients want to
walk barefoot through your house in the
winter. Whatever the issue,
RetroHeat is an excellent option for
heating existing floors.
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Pros Turn to Warmzone (cont.)
With so Many Benefits, Radiant Heat is an
Easy Sell
The comfort, convenience and the technology
behind radiant
heat systems have helped to create
the perception of luxury and exclusivity.
What most customers will be surprised (and pleased)
to discover is how efficient, from an
operational standpoint, and how truly
affordable these systems really are.
Radiant heat is a safer, cleaner, greener
alternative to traditional systems. It
derives its power from electricity rather than
costly fossil fuels. Radiant heat
enables customers to selectively heat rooms
quickly, where they need it most, and realize an
energy savings in rooms where they
don’t. Unlike forced air systems, radiant
heat radiates up through the floor and objects to
warm a room. It’s quick, efficient
and instantaneous. There’s no hot air, no air
ducts, so there’s no blowing
allergens and other contaminates to compromise
air quality, making radiant heat a safer choice for
home and office environments.
Warmzone is committed to the success of
commercial contractors, and strives to offer
a wide variety of the best radiant products. Our
professionals help customers with all of the aspects
of a project to make the project as smooth
as possible. As a Warmzone partner, you’ll
have access to the top designers, master electrician
and even hydronic specialists with the
expertise necessary to plan and execute just
about any radiant heat project, while keeping within
your budget. Warmzone radiant heat experts
have the most industry experience and the
ability to provide non-biased radiant heat
information based on customer needs.
Don’t Turn Away Business
For nearly a decade, Warmzone has been
helping contractors to become more
profitable. In addition to receiving a contractor
discount, you’ll also receive a host
of free professional services, including a
detailed quote, CAD layout and project
support. If you’re a heating
professional looking to secure more work on each
job, call Warmzone (888.488.9276) and see
how you can increase business by offering custom
electric radiant floor heating systems. your home
and your wallet’s needs.
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Electric
radiant heat system being installed.
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Request a FREE quote.
Call Warmzone today - 888.488.9276.
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December 24, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
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You may not know that radiant
heaters for your home or business come in a variety
of forms – all efficient and providing
reliable, cozy warmth. Today we’re going to
discuss one form of radiant heaters: hydronic floor
heating.
Quite a name, isn’t it?
Hydronic floor heating is the oldest and most
popular type of radiant floor heating. These systems are
comprised of a boiler or hot water heater,
pumps, manifolds, PEX tubing, thermostat, and
either gypcrete (a concrete-like material) or wood
panels. Hydronic heating is the most complex of
all radiant
heat systems. These systems require trained
professionals to design and perform the
installation. Your best economies of scale are achieved
for hydronic systems in large areas or entire homes
because of their expensive components and
operational costs. Hydronic systems can be
installed under any type of flooring. Most hydronic
systems require hot water tubing to be installed
in a 2-4″ bed of light concrete and are
best installed during the initial construction because
of its weight load demands and adjustments to
floor height.
For heating smaller areas such
as a bathroom or kitchen, a hydronic floor
heating system may not be the best value for your
project. The complexity and cost of installing
the system, along with the long-term maintenance
and up-keep required, might not be worth the small
amount you will save in operational costs.
Radiant Heaters Tip: Many recent
developments have made hydronic systems more
convenient and possible radiant
heater solutions for major home remodeling projects.
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December 28, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
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If you are looking to warm your floors with radiant
heaters and are trying to research what kind of
radiant heaters to install you might find
yourself scratching your head at this point.
There are dozens of products available to purchase, and
there are even more companies telling you that
their product is the best.
So which product is the best?
Should you install a hydronic heating system
that pumps hot water through your floors, an electric
cable heating system, or a low-voltage screen
system? The answer lies in the type of project
you are doing. Not every system is ideal for every
project, but there is an ideal system for every project.
Hydronic Heating Systems
Hydronic floor heating is the
oldest and most popular type of radiant floor
heating. These systems are comprised of a boiler or hot
water heater, pumps, manifolds, PEX tubing,
thermostat, and either gypcrete (a concrete-like
material) or wood panels. Hydronic heating is the most
complex of all radiant heat systems. These systems
require trained professionals to design and
perform the installation. Your best economies of
scale are achieved for hydronic systems in large areas
or entire homes because of their expensive
components and operational costs.
Hydronic systems can be installed under any
type of flooring. Most hydronic systems require hot
water tubing to be installed in a 2-4″
bed of light concrete and are best installed during
the initial construction because of its weight load
demands and adjustments to floor height. Recent
low-mass products have been developed to avoid
these challenges by fitting the tubing into pre-cut
wood panels, making hydronic systems more convenient and
possible for most major remodeling projects.
If you want to heat smaller areas
like a bathroom or kitchen, a hydronic floor
heating system may not be the best value for
your project. The complexity and cost of installing the
system, along with the long-term maintenance and
up-keep required, is not worth the small amount
you will save in operational costs.
Electric Cable Heating
Electric cable heating
systems, often called line- or high-voltage
systems, are gaining popularity and are ideal for
heating smaller areas (10-300 square feet) like
bathrooms, kitchens, and sun rooms. These
systems are comprised of a thermostat and a heating
cable. On some systems, the cable will be
shipped to you as a large spool of cable. These
systems are oftentimes less expensive, and give you the
ability to space the cable how you want and
customize a layout that will heat every square
inch of your floor. Other systems have the cable
attached to a plastic mesh or tape to create a
mat to maintain its proper spacing.
Every available cable system is equally effective, so when
determining which system to purchase, you should look
at the warranty of the product, along with the ease of
installation. Some cables must be embedded in a
separate layer of concrete or mortar, whereas other systems
can simply be installed in the thinset. Most cable
systems can only be installed under tile. However, on
others, if the cable is embedded in mortar or concrete,
any flooring can be installed on top of the concrete. When
heating smaller areas, it is nearly impossible to beat
the simplicity and price of an electric cable heating
system.
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