Are Heated Floors Worth It? Learn Why Radiant Floor Heating Systems Are!

Guest blog by Dustin Prevete, Sr. Product Manager at LATICRETE

STRATA_HEAT™ radiant floor heating installation

Regardless of living in a climate that is prone to colder or warmer temperatures, there’s something to be said about how walking around your house on chilly floors makes you want to immediately hop back into bed! While floor heating practices have been around for centuries, thanks to evolving modern technology, radiant floor heating systems have gone from only being seen in wealthy estates, to an eco-friendly and affordable concept that more homeowners are utilizing than ever before. So, lets answer the question — are heated floors worth it?

According to a recent survey by Porch.com, more than three-quarters of all U.S. homeowners said they had done some type of home improvement project during the pandemic, Both of these factors have made homeowners turn a renewed focus on finding new ways to make their homes more cozy and comfortable to live in, which includes incorporating radiant floor heating systems under the finished floor.

While floor heating may seem like an added expense on the front end of a building or renovation project, the addition of an in-floor radiant heating system provides the user a cost saving advantage over the life of the home. The Radiant Panel Association disclosed that most homeowners can accrue energy savings of 10% to 30%; for commercial installations, savings of up to 60% or more are possible. With cooler temperatures just around the corner for much of North America, heating a home efficiently is all the more crucial. According to the US Department of Energy, heating a residential home uses more energy and costs more money than any other system of a home — typically making up about 42% of your utility bill. To combat higher than normal prices on a utility bill, homeowners should consider installing a radiant floor heating system for more energy-efficiency and evenly distributed heat in comparison to forced heating systems. 

Benefits of Radiant Floor Heating

• Energy-efficient warmth
• Cost savings,
• Easy-to-install
• Produce no noise
• Require no maintenance
• Heat up quickly to provide uniform floor heating

Made up of flexible floor heating cable, the LATICRETE®  STRATA_HEAT™ floor heating system allows the installer to integrate electric radiant floor heating into the mat in various ways, maximizing output and coverage as it heats the home through thermal radiation. By heating the floor rather than the surrounding air, which can be less energy efficient due to thermal loss, diffused heat radiates from the floor up and is absorbed by surrounding objects that in turn help warm the entire room.  

For example, think of a radiant floor heating system much like heat from the sun — when you step from the shade into the sun, you feel warmer even though the air temperature is the same, that is exactly how radiant floor heating works within the home. Plus, underfloor heating can’t escape out of open doors or windows like forced heat does. 

Radiant Floor Heating Systems are User-Friendly

Thanks to their versatility and design flexibility, radiant floor heating systems are now able to be installed anywhere in one’s home — the bathroom, kitchen, living room, bedrooms, basement and everything in between. Once installed, the system is covered with a finished flooring material of the homeowner’s preference. Thanks to innovative technology, homeowners are no longer forced to implement a certain type of overlayment with their new radiant heating system and now can use materials such as tile, stone, vinyl, carpeted or hardwood floors. However, it is recommended that LATICRETE, be consulted for ultimate compatibility and performance.

In addition to the customization that comes with the installation of a new radiant floor heating system, controlling it is now more user-friendly than ever before thanks to recent technological advancements. Users have the option to select a basic Wi-Fi heated floor thermostat or opt for a smart home thermostat with a touch screen that further promotes green living. With the user able to control their floor’s heat via their phones, these systems can learn routines and apply more efficient settings to reduce energy usage. 

Improve Your Space and the Environment with STRATA_HEAT

When consumers consider the obvious benefits a radiant floor heating system provides, they should consider using products from a company that utilizes the most up-to-date solutions for the ultimate performance benefits. The STRATA_HEAT system offers a faster, more consistent, energy-efficient installation with a system warranty thanks to the spliceless heating wire, heated floor mat and STRATA_HEAT Thermal Pack. This product combination not only has unparalleled innovative floor warming qualities not yet seen in the marketplace, but it offers high quality and ease-of-use which are vital for improving overall performance for both the installer and end user.

As a leading UL certified floor heating system, STRATA_HEAT reduces floor heat-up and cycle time to reduce energy cost and is user-friendly thanks to the smart "Floor Focused" thermostat, which can be accessed through a simple smartphone app and smart home automation devices like Amazon® Alexa. 

With homeowners spending more time in their homes, coupled with the construction industry’s focus on innovating building systems that focus on improving the environment, health, efficiency, ease of installation and - most importantly - promoting the green and sustainable building movement, radiant floor heating systems are on the rise more than ever before!