What should the water temperature be for in-floor heat?

85–140°F

Radiant-floor heating systems typically use water temperatures of 85–140°F (30–60°C), compared with baseboard hydronic systems that typically operate at 130–160°F (55–70°C).

How big of a tankless water heater do I need for in-floor heat?

You’ll need to be able to heat at least 5.2 gallons of water. So you’ll need a tankless water heater that can produce at least a 60 degree rise in temperature at 5.2 gallons per minute.

What temperature should I set my electric heated floor?

Average surface temperature is 75 – 95ºF (24 – 35ºC), but the normal comfortable range is 77 – 82ºF (25 – 28ºC). Surface temperatures can vary based on room conditions, the thermostat set point, floor covering thickness and installation method.

Can you use tankless water heater for in-floor heat?

For one, a tankless water heater for your radiant floor could save you a lot in energy costs and time spent in maintenance because they are energy efficient and built to last for a long time. Secondly, you get constant and even heat supply throughout your home. Naturally, this means warm floors and cozy rooms.

What is a comfortable floor temperature?

between 75-80 degrees F.

Radiant floors should not exceed 85 degrees F at the surface. 85 degrees is our skin temperature, so anything warmer starts too feel too warm. Floor coverings other than stone or tile REQUIRE a maximum temperature below 85 F. Most people are very comfortable between 75-80 degrees F.

What temperature should my underfloor heating boiler be set at?

Underfloor heating requires a flow temperature of 50°C flow and 40°C return, so using UFH with a condensing boiler is ideal for taking advantage of this.

Can I use a water heater for radiant floor heat?

Water heaters, on the other hand, are perfectly happy being fed 55°F supply water and chugging along at 110°F to 140°F — perfect for radiant floors, and more than adequate for many baseboard and panel radiator applications.

What is the downside of a tankless water heater?

The main disadvantage of tankless water heaters is their upfront cost (unit and installation) is significantly higher than tank-style heaters. Including installation, tankless water heaters cost 3 times more than tank-style water heaters on average.

Can you use an electric water heater for radiant floor heat?

In fact an electric hot water tank can be used to heat a house with in-floor radiant and they are thousands of dollars cheaper than boilers, and if they fail cost very little to replace; also there is very little maintenance, which can be done by the homeowner.

How long do heated floors last?

With proper care and maintenance, a floor heating system can last up to 35 years. It can save money, too. Radiant floor heating warms a room from the floor up. As a result, most people will feel more comfortable with their thermostat set at a lower temperature.

Is radiant floor heating expensive to run?

Electric-based radiant floor heating runs between $8 to $15 per square foot. Both range in cost from $1 to $5 a day to run.

What type of water heater do you need for radiant heat?

What is this? For homeowners who prefer an electric water heater, the Rheem RTEX-18 is a great option for radiant floor heating systems. It can supply the heating power needed to keep hot water circulating under your flooring, so the temperature inside is warm and pleasant.

Do you need a boiler for in floor heat?

Radiant flooring is energy efficient, comfortable and durable, and it isn’t necessary to have a boiler to install it.

Can you use a hot water heater for baseboard heat?

Bottom line, hot water heat is better than warm air heat. Hydronic baseboard heat is not only an efficient heater, it also provides more even heat than electric baseboards. It doesn’t cycle on and off as much as other heating systems.

How does a radiant floor heating system work?

Radiant floor heating systems produce heat through thermal radiation. By heating the floor rather than the surrounding air, they provide indirect, diffused heat that radiates from the floor up. This heat is absorbed by surrounding objects, and they in turn help to warm the entire room.

How long does radiant floor heating take to warm up?

Most radiant floor heat systems take about a day to come up to full temperature. The reason for this is due to how the radiant heating system stores energy. Before a radiant floor can emit energy (heat) into a space, it first has to raise the floor temperature.

Is radiant floor heating worth it?

If you’re remodeling your bathroom, or even just replacing your floors, radiant heating is definitely worth considering. Yes, you’ll end up paying more for your floors, but the energy savings, comfort level, and resale value will be worth it in the end.

Is radiant floor heating enough to heat a house?

Yes!

While it generally is room-specific (i.e., for the kitchen or bathroom, where you are standing a great deal, or might be in bare feet), it is a viable and effective way to heat your home. If you plan to use radiant heating to heat your whole house, the hot water method (hydronic) is recommended.

Does radiant heat ruin hardwood floors?

According to Mickey Moore, Technical Director of the National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association, the temperatures used in floor heating will not damage the wood in any way. Temperature is only a factor when gluing wood directly to a subfloor.

What are the disadvantages of underfloor heating?

Cons of Underfloor Heating

  • Installation Cost. Electric systems offer rapid installations times, with many systems able to be fitted in an average sized bathroom in just 1-2 days. …
  • Installation Time. …
  • Floor Height Issue.