If you have lots of areas in your home where the tile is being used and are sick and tired of them being cold, you need to get some radiant floor heating installed. These systems can help keep the floor and the area warmed, and it doesn’t lose the heat since the heat will be reabsorbed back into the flooring. Ensure that you know everything about radiant floor heating and the available systems before making a final decision.
Here is everything that you will want to know before making any decision about what to purchase, so keep reading our comprehensive guide to find out more.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Best Radiant Floor Heating Systems
It cannot be obvious to decide what type of heating system will work the best for your home and your needs. Here are 10 of the top radiant floor heating systems that you need to check out, such as:
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Best Overall: Warming Systems Radiant Floor Heating Mat
If you want a mat type system, this model is 25 square feet, with the mat being 20” in width and 15’ long. It uses 120 volts to operate, and it comes with double-sided tape, so you can easily stick this to the floor. It will also lay down flat so you can install it easily, and the cable is 1/8” in thickness. This uses the Aube or Honeywell thermostat TH115-AF-120, which can be programmed and is digital.
Also, they use the highest quality materials that make it durable and it has a single cold lead.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you are searching for a mat model that will be easy to use and install, then this model is going to be ideal for all of your needs.
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Runner Up: Heatwave Electric Floor Heating System
If you are searching for a cable with different lengths, this might be a great option. It comes anywhere from 8-15 square feet, 16-30 square feet, 32-60 square feet, and 50-94 square feet depending on your needs. This has a 7-day thermostat that is GFCI programmable and the necessary cable strapping. This is 120V with a 15’ cold lead, and it has a lifetime warranty.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you don’t want a mat, but instead want some cables that you can run under the flooring, then this might be a great idea, especially if you need variety in sizes.
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Most Advanced: SunTouch WarmWire Floor Heat Cable
Another great option that you can look at that is advanced is this model and it comes in a wide variety of sizes from 10 square feet up to 150 square feet. This can be easily installed over concrete slabs, backerboard and even plywood and the kit includes everything you would need. This can cover up to a wide area depending on the size that you purchase.
Everything that you would need to set this system up is included, including the floor sensor and a programmable touchscreen thermostat.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you want to have options in terms of the amount of wire that you are purchasing, then this model is going to give you plenty of options to choose from for all room sizes.
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Warmly Yours 1.5×30 TRT120 Floor Heating Roll
If you have a stone, tile or even wood flooring, then this is going to be an ideal product to use. You can cut and turn this roll that is 45 square feet in size. It has some double sided tape that is fitted on to the fiberglass mesh to help you install it easily. All of the cable loops are 3″ apart and there is 15 watts of power for every square foot, which helps the heating to be evenly delivered. It is also very think, which means that you can easily install it without raising the floor height in your home by practically nothing.
This will be ideal for your marble, stone or other tile based floors to keep the flooring warm and you can enjoy it barefoot every day of the year.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you don’t want to have to worry about whether or not the system can be used for all types of flooring, then this product should be ideal for you since it can be used for all flooring types.
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Heatwave 40 Square Foot Heating System
Another great product that would give you variety in terms of size of area to cover is this one, which starts out at 10 square-feet and goes up to 100 square feet. This is 20” in width and 24’ long, which means that you can cover any size room easily. It also has a 7 day GFCI programmable thermostat and all of the cables are designed to last for a long time.
This is going to be great for wet locations and it can adhere easily to the floor and it has a 15’ cold lead and it gives off 12 watts of power for every square foot.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you don’t mind using a self leveling product after you have completed the installation, then go ahead and check out this top known product.
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HeatIt 70 Square Foot Self-Adhesive Radiant Heating System
If you are searching for something that is very budget friendly, then check out this heating system that starts out with 15 square foot up to 100 square foot in size. This can be used under numerous of the popular flooring materials like wood, natural stones and even ceramic tiles. This is made of one of the heaviest duty plastic based materials, which is called Fluoropolymer for insulation, which means that it can be used in wet locations, but not for spa or pool locations.
The mat is 20” wide and 42.7’ in length and it gives off 12 watts per square foot and you can easily cut the mesh based material to adjust the angles and turns.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you don’t mind purchasing the thermostat separately, then this might be the right model for you, especially if you want something easy to use.
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SunTouch 30 Square Feet 12001524-KIT
Another great adjustable product that you can look at is this one that comes with everything that you would need, including the thermostat. The thermostat is digital and you can use the touchscreen to make all of the changes that are required and you can easily choose from a wide array of sizes for each room. This product can not only be used in your home, but also in commercial based buildings as well easily.
This is ideal for use underneath laminate flooring, stone or tiles with any issue and the installation will be fast and easy.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
Go ahead and check out this option if you want something that you can quickly and easily install in any room of any size.
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SunTouch 10 Square Feet 81009684 TapeMat Heating Kit
If you need something that is small and that would work for your bathroom this might just be the ideal product. It can start out at 10 square feet and go up to 150 square feet, which means not only will it be great for your bathroom usage, but also for your entire home. This will be easy to install in your entire home or even in a commercial based building when you need some extra heat.
This would include everything that would be needed for installation, including the digital thermostat, a floor sensor and much more.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
For the times when you need something for your bathroom this small area space will be great for all of your requirements.
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https://www.amazon.com/WarmlyYours-Environ-Electric-Floor-Heating/dp/B00F1GWU10?&linkCode=sl1&tag=airbreathing-20&linkId=8a3cec1bf82fb42acd9b307f2dfbc5cc&ref_=as_li_ss_tlWarmlyYours 60 Square Foot Heating Roll
If you want a roll that isn’t made of mesh and that will be very thin, then make sure to check out this model. You can use this underneath carpet in the US, floating wooden floors, engineered wood and even laminate based flooring. You will be able to cut and turn this roll so that it fits the entire area you are trying to cover easily and quickly so it can go from wall to wall without issues.
This gives off a power of 12 watts for every square foot to ensure to that all of the flooring is heated properly.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you don’t mind spending the extra money to get a thinner product and one that can be used under carpeting in the US, then go ahead and check this option out.
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Heatwave 15 Square Foot Heating System
The final product that would be easy to use is this one and it can cover a 15 square foot area, but there are options for 10 square feet up to 100 square feet depending on your needs. This is 20” in width and 9’ long and you will be able to easily cut the mesh to ensure that the wiring covers the entire flooring area. This is 1/8” in thickness, which means you won’t even be able to notice that it is there.
This will be usable in wet locations, and it has numerous configurations, and it can adhere directly to the flooring. It has a 15’ cold lead, and it gives off 12 watts of energy for every square footage used with 120 volts.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you want something that will be affordable and easy to install, then go ahead and check out this option for all of your needs.
Ensure that you are thinking about what you would need to know when searching for a radiant floor heating system that would suit your needs. It would help if you thought about the area that it could cover and the price, the type, and much more. Keep reading on to find out more important tips to help you make the right purchase for your home.
Types of Radiant Floor Heating
There are different types of radiant flooring heating systems that you would pick and choose from. You need to know what these are so you can make the best choice when it comes to your home, and these include:
Hydronic – With this type of floor heating system, hot water would be circulated throughout tubing under the flooring. The tubing is normally encased in some concrete or even gypsum cement, which is lighter-weight, or it might be fastened to the subflooring. One of the advantages of using this type of system is that you can use various energy sources to heat the water, including geothermal energy, solar collector, heat pump, wood boiler, electric boiler, or even a gas-based water heater.
You can easily change the heating source over later if you need to cut down expenses. Also, this option retains the residual heat for a longer period than the electric wires, and it can heat to around 85°F to ensure that it doesn’t feel any hotter than the sun hitting the flooring.
Electric resistance – This is another type of floor heating, and this works just like the toaster by using electric current that travels through the electric wiring to generate heat. When this heating system is used, there will be special woven mats, foils, panels, or cables installed under, in, or on the subfloor before being hooked up to the electrical current and controlled through a thermostat. These also require the use of gypsum cement or concrete to encase the cables, and this is a deal for stones or tiles that tend to be cold during the morning. However, you can also use these in small additional rooms, kitchens, or bathrooms where you need extra heat since the cost of electricity might be high.
It would help if you considered all of this when looking at the various options and types of heating systems that you might want to use for your flooring. The more you know about the different types, the easier your decision will be in the end.
Room Size
You always need to consider the room’s size when you are purchasing anything, including the floor heating systems. You want to think about how much space each of these mats would cover or even the wires if you are using those. Ensure that you are picking the best option that can cover the entire room or enough of it that it can heat the entire area.
Heat Controllers
Another thing that you should ensure that you need to check out is how you can control the heat that is being released. More often than not, these would come with a thermostat, which would allow you to change up the flooring temperature as you want. This means that you can make the adjustments, and it should be a smart option that would be attached to a separate control thermostat or an application.
Tips for Buying the Best Electric Underfloor Heating System
There will be plenty of tips that you would want to consider when you are looking for the right electric underfloor heating system for your home. Some of the top tips or factors that you need to consider and look at includes:
Material – You should look for both a wet or electric system, which means knowing what material it is made of. Ensure that you see what the heating wire is made of or what the pipe has been created with before making any final purchase.
Support – Another thing to think about is even though you might not experience any problems with this system after it has been installed, you need to consider what support might be available. Ensure that you will be able to avail the support afterward if any problems might occur.
Warranty – You should also consider the warranty and what exactly is going to be covered. You shouldn’t just know how long the warranty would be valid for, but also exactly what it would cover, including labor, mesh, and much more.
Installation – Another thing that you need to consider is how complicated or easy the process of installing the heating system would be. You might want to think about hiring an expert to help you with this part if you don’t know what you are doing.
Cost – The final thing that you must think about is the cost, and not only should you think about the cost of the materials, but also if you need to hire experts to install them. Consider how much you will be saving in terms of energy and electricity bills over time and compare that to the initial cost of installation.
These tips and factors are important, so ensure that you are looking at them when trying to figure out which model would work the best for your needs. If you know what these tips and the criteria are, it can help you make the right choice for all of your requirements, regardless of what they might be.
FAQ
What is the best temperature to keep my floor heating system at?
You will be able to choose the right temperature that would feel comfortable to you, but if you want to save money, then the ideal temperature is around 75°. Ensure that you are thinking about what temperature feels good to you, and it shouldn’t be too warm or too hot on the bottom of your geet.
Can I keep my underfloor heating on at all times?
You might not need it at all times, and sometimes it can seem overboard, especially during the summer. However, it is recommended that during the winter that you are keeping it on all day and night to keep the flooring warm. This might seem overboard, but during the winter, it is going to save you money by leaving it on, especially since it can take longer to heat up.
Why should I leave the underfloor heating on at all times during the winter?
If you are using it more often during the winter, then you should consider leaving it on at all times. This would help to keep the system from getting cold, which means longer warming up period, and it will be faster in terms of efficiency at the same time.
Conclusion
If you are looking at electric floor heating systems, you must find the right one for your needs, which means knowing what is. You would want to choose the ideal type along with the one that fits your budget and the room that you are going to fill. If you are still confused, then go ahead and re-read our comprehensive guide to help you make the best choice or do your own research.
