How Does Radiant Heat Work?

Modular Radiant Flooring is a hydronic system--that is, it uses hot water to warm your home. Unlike baseboard systems, though, Modular Radiant Flooring utilizes tubing under the floor to carry and disperse the heat. While there are several installation variations of radiant flooring, the preferred method is to embed the tubing in concrete. The major benefit of hydronic systems is dramatically lower heating costs.

When heat is transmitted from the floor, the room is heated more evenly and provides greater comfort.

Radiant floor heating systems utilize tubing under the floor to carry and disperse the heat.

Building owners now have a choice of two different approaches to Radiant Flooring:

• The older method uses poured "gypcrete" over the heat tubes. Although this technology dramatically lowers heating costs compared to traditional heating methods, it can be expensive and time-consuming to install. Systems of this type can also develop cracks, which are potentially expensive to remedy.
• The new method uses the GCS revolutionary Modular Radiant Flooring system, which is much more cost effective than poured Radiant Flooring while still retaining its high heating efficiency. This system is simpler, more effective, and less  prone to errors in installation.

An Example Installation

Radiant-floor heating can be retrofitted into an existing home, but the ideal installation is in a new home designed with radiant floors in mind. The most effective radiant systems feature tubing embedded in concrete that helps retain heat between boiler cycles.

One prime candidate for simple Modular Radiant Flooring would be a slab-on-grade, single-story home situated in the northern half of the country. Add quality windows, plenty of insulation, a few well-placed thermostats and minimal carpeting, and the owner would have a very comfortable home with a very efficient heating system.

Below are photos of a recent project, showing the outside and inside of the home as well as the control systems for the Radiant Flooring. Click on any photo for a larger view.