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FAQ's
Some of the most frequently asked questions about Hydronic Radiant Floor Heating.
Q: Why is radiant floor heating so comfortable?
A: A radiant floor heating system warms bodies, objects and floor surfaces. You feel comfortable because radiant floor heating keeps your feet and the objects around you warm - in turn keeping your body warm.
Q: Why is radiant floor heating so efficient?
A: Radiant floor heating is an efficient delivery system when compared to radiators or air vents that try to blast enough heat into a room to heat it. Radiant
floor heating uses a low water temperature. The warm water is constantly circulated in the floor, providing heat where it is needed, instead of wasting it at the ceiling. Since radiant floor heating does not directly heat the air, you don't lose as much energy with air leaks and infiltration. With this heating method, you can save 10-30* percent on your monthly heating bills.
Q: How does radiant floor heating work?
A: Warm water - from 80º to 140º - is circulated through flexible, durable PEX tubing that has been installed in the floor. Heat is transferred upward turning your entire floor into a warm, mild radiator. A variety of hot water heat sources can be used to warm the water that flows through the tubing.
*Radiant Panel Association
Q: What are the benefits of radiant heat over forced air?
A: Radiant floor heating offers the homeowner many benefits among which are:
- More comfort first and foremost.
- Healthier, no dust or allergens being blown around.
- Higher operating efficiency due to low water temperatures and the heat being where the people are rather than at the ceiling.
- Quieter because there are no fans or blowers.
- Less maintenance, no filters or ducts or baseboard to clean.
- Decorating freedom without constraints of vents, returns or baseboard units.
Q: Is radiant floor heating only for new construction?
A: Radiant floor heating systems can be installed in remodeling and retrofit projects as well as in new construction. The type of radiant system used would
be determined by the circumstances of construction. Typically the Climate Panel System would be installed above the subfloor when there is no finished floor in place. In situations where an existing finished floor is to remain undisturbed, the radiant system would be installed below the subfloor using the Heat Transfer Plate System.
Q: Will radiant floor heating damage my hardwood floors?
A: A low temperature constant circulation Viega Climate Panel System installed by one of our trained contractors is designed to work safely and successfully with wood flooring. However, if not installed and controlled properly, radiant heating can harm wood floors. The floor surface temperature of a radiant heating system does not get above 85°F. A typical sunroom hardwood floor with the sun shining on it gets hotter than a properly controlled radiant system ever makes it.
Q: Is it possible to use radiant heat over an existing slab?
A: Radiant heat is the best way to convert a room with a cold slab floor into a warm, inviting and usable space. This can be accomplished in a couple of different ways. The radiant installation method of choice would be determined by the desired finish floor surface and/or any floor height build up constraints. If wood flooring is to be used, the Climate Panel System would be installed. The other option is to install the tubing on top of the existing slab and pour another slab right over it. Height build up of the second slab layer would be a minimum of 1-1/2".
Q: What about carpet over a radiant heated floor?
A: Carpet is a good insulator and can keep the radiant heat from getting into the room if it is too heavy. If wall to wall carpeting is to be used, the R-value of rug and pad combined should be less than 2.5. If plush carpet with an R-value above 2.5 is desired, then supplemental wall radiant heat with Climate Panels in the lower wall is recommended. Area rugs leave floor space available for the radiant heat to do its job.
Q: Do I need a new boiler, or can I tie a radiant system into my existing hydronic system?
A: Most frequently a radiant system can be tied into an existing boiler. Your heating professional will do the heating requirement calculations to determine if your existing boiler has the necessary capacity to support the radiant system.
Q: Can I use my existing water heater or do I need a boiler?
A: Economical use of a water heater depends on the size of the radiant floor heating system you are planning. If used, a heat exchanger would be recommended to keep the potable water system and the closed loop radiant system separated. Your heating professional will be able to advise you on the pros and cons of different hot water sources.
Q: Can I put radiant heating in any room?
A: Yes. However, your heating professional should do a heat loss calculation for you. In exceptionally high heat loss rooms, a supplemental heat source could be necessary.
Q: How do I control individual room temperature?
A: Radiant heating systems can be zoned just like any other heating system. Proper balancing allows most rooms to be at the proper temperature without using thermostats, but thermostats are usually installed to give the homeowner control.
Q: Can I use radiant heating to heat my entire house?
A: Absolutely. We often hear from people who regret not heating their entire house with a radiant system. It is easier and more economical to install a radiant
system all at once than to go back in at a later date to patch in radiant heat where it had not been installed originally. Your heating professional will do a heat loss calculation for the house. The rare exception is when supplementary heat may be needed.
Q: Does a radiant heated house take a long time to heat up from a cold start?
A: That depends on the type of radiant system that is installed and how cold the house is when beginning. In general, a Climate Panel System which is on top of the subfloor will be faster to heat up a room (approximately 20-30 minutes) than will a concrete system.
Q: What type of maintenance is required?
A: Viega equipment requires no maintenance. System components that are supplied by others, such as the heat source, may require periodic standard maintenance.
Q: What if a tube breaks in a floor?
A: The Viega electronically crosslinked PEX tubing is extremely durable and will not break in use. PEX tubing can be punctured, however, by an unknowing carpenter or flooring installer. In that case, a repair coupling would be used to eliminate the damage. Viega offers a 25 year warranty on our tubing. We have been using the same PEX tubing for over 25 years, which is expected to outlast the structure it is installed in.
Q: What are the costs involved?
A: The installation cost of a radiant floor heating system will be more than a hot air or baseboard heating system. However, the operating cost of a radiant floor heating system will be less than a hot air or baseboard heating system. The choice is whether to buy the ultimate form of heating comfort in a quieter, hidden and highly reliable system while increasing the house value. A Viega radiant heating system is an investment in comfort.
Q: How long will a radiant floor heating system last?
A: A Viega radiant floor heating system can be expected to outlast the house it is installed in. We have seen our tubing removed from concrete after 18 years of operation and it looks just about as it did when it was installed. Bear in mind that this is not true of all tubing on the market. A radiant floor heating system is one place in your house that you want the best quality that is available. Viega quality has been proven for more than 25 years.
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