What is Solar Radiant Floor Heating?

Radiant floor heating is an ancient technology that is making a comeback. In ancient Rome and Greece, the floors of baths were heated with fires. Radiant floor heating is an efficient and comfortable way to keep warm in the winter. It's so efficient because heat rises, and you are heating from the ground up. You're using the laws of thermodynamics to your advantage, which allows you to heat your home with better energy efficiency.

There are many types of radiant floor heating systems, but solar systems are rapidly becoming more popular as more people are looking for more eco-friendly ways to heat their homes.

How does solar radiant floor heating work?

Either air or water is heated through solar energy, then the warm air or water is piped through underneath the floor of your home. Since your floor is capable of retaining heat well, once the floor is warmed, it is able to keep your home warm and comfortable for great periods of time.

In air systems, the sun warms up air that is inside of a solar collector. The air is then pushed through pipes that can be made of corrugated steel, plastic piping, or concrete blocks. Unfortunately solar air radiant flooring is not nearly as cost efficient because of the fact that air is not good at retaining heat for very long. However, air based systems are easy to install.

Solar hydronic radiant floor heating systems use water that is heated in a solar storage tank. This heated water is pumped through tubing under the floor. Each room of your home will have its own thermostat that will allow you to control the flow of the water into each room, which controls how warm the room will be.

Another thing to consider if you are looking into solar floor heating is whether you live in an area that produces enough solar heat to heat your home. Many areas don't get enough direct sunlight to heat an entire home. However, it is still a good option to supplement a conventional heating system. This means that you will use a combination system, where on cloudy days, the backup system will kick in. The backup system can use oil heat, or a wood stove, or even an electric water heater.

Solar radiant floor heating is a worthwhile option for homeowners in mild climates. You can use it to cut costs, and be more environmentally friendly. From an ecological perspective, there is no downside.

If you're looking to make your home warm in winter, while being more green, solar radiant floor heating is the way to go.