Residents in Buffalo, New York can use one of two radiant heat technologies for heating their floors: electric or hydronic. Both systems can be designed to heat virtually any type of floor covering. Hydronic systems use specially treated water that is heated and then circulated under the floor through PEX tubing, while electric systems utilize thin heat-resistance cable, or some other type of electrical heating element that is embedded just below the floor's surface.
The installation of a hydronic system is considerably more complex than that of an electric system. Hydronic systems require a dedicated mechanical room to house the boiler, pumps, valves, and manifold. The systems use a water and glycol mix that is heated by the boiler and then pumped through a closed loop of PEX tubing embedded under the floor. The tubing is installed in channels provided in lightweight aluminum panels. The panels offered by Warmzone® are the latest and most effective material for hydronic heated floors, and transfer heat efficiently and evenly.
Electric floor heating systems are considerably easier to install than hydronic systems. The heating element – usually thin heat cable – is laid out and secured to the subfloor. Depending on the flooring, self-leveling or thinset is applied and then the flooring itself is installed.
Radiant floor heating systems offer the most efficient home heating technology today. In fact, with heated floors, there is virtually no heat loss, so more than 99 percent of the energy goes directly toward heating the home. In addition to the benefits of energy efficiency, using a radiant floor heating system can greatly reduce the transmission of dust, allergens, and other airborne particulate matter.
Forced-air systems tend to blow dust and allergens throughout the house, and the series of ductwork and vents can make these systems notoriously inefficient. Warm air is blown through the ductwork and out the vents where it quickly rises before cooling and dropping back down. With radiant heat, the warmth starts from the floor and spreads gently upward throughout the room. This provides an especially comfortable environment for young children who spend much of their time playing on the floor.
Warmzone carries a vast selection of radiant floor heating systems. The electric heating elements range from thin ComfortTile® heat cable and heavy duty In-Slab™ cable to FilmHeat’s nearly paper-thin heating element and FloorHeat STEP’s low-voltage polymer heating element. Warmzone offers only the most proven and trusted solutions, and you’ll find the largest selection of these floor heating systems at Warmzone.
The ComfortTile floor heating systems are available with cable in individual lengths (off spools), or in mats. The mats feature heat cable that is pre-spaced and secured to a flexible mesh with an adhesive backing. The mats can be rolled out across the area to be heated and then secured to the sub-floor quickly and easily.
In-Slab™ radiant floor heating cable is a versatile and durable heat cable designed for installation in concrete slabs. Its rugged construction allows it to withstand the demands of fresh concrete pours. Its performance and affordablilty make In-Slab one of the most popular floor heating options today. In-Slab heat cable is ideal for heating basement floors. Virtually any type floor surface can be installed over the heated concrete slab.
FilmHeat™ systems feature a thin “film” heating element that is just 0.016-inch thick. This easy-to-install system is a favorite among installation professionals. The thin heating panel is placed over the underlayment and the electrical connections are made. Next, the floating floor is then installed - without the need for special tools, thinset, or self-leveling compounds. Because the FilmHeat element is so thin, and there is no need for mortar, installing this system does not result in any floor buildup. This proven floor heating system is regarded as the ideal solution for heating laminate and floating floors.
Warmzone also offers the low-voltage FloorHeat STEP® system. This system features thin, flexible polymer heating panels that are available in different widths. The self-regulating panels are highly recommended for heating hardwood and laminate floors. The lightweight polymer heating element is so thin that virtually no floor buildup is required, and it won't affect your floor's weight load.
The RetroHeat® floor heating system is one of the best values for installing radiant heat under existing floors. The system utilizes thin "film" heating elements, similar to the FilmHeat system. These panels are available for joists in 12, 16, and 24-inch widths, and are stapled up between the joists from below. (To install the RetroHeat system, one must have access to the floor from below, either through a crawl space or basement.) RetroHeat effectively heats a variety of floor types.
The Prodeso® underlayment membrane is also available at Warmzone. This top-quality membrane can be combined with ComfortTile heating cable to optimize the performance of radiant floor heating systems. The Prodeso membrane system can be used as an uncoupling and waterproofing system. The underlayment features pre-engineered channels for the heat cable to be easily installed.
Warmzone also offers a selection of the industry's most advanced thermostats. From simple on/off controllers to smart TOUCH and TOUCH Wi-Fi programmable thermostats (7-day, 4 settings per day), homeowners can find the ideal controller for their needs. And keep in mind that Warmzone maintains a list of experienced installers with favorable reviews in the Buffalo area. This way homeowners may have the option of using local, experienced installers who have proven themselves. Using installers who are experienced with radiant heat installations helps to ensure a hassle-free installation.
Warmzone includes the industry's top customer support services with each system. These services include free installation training, technical support for installers, and professional system design services. To learn more about the various floor heating systems that are available, as well as Warmzone's premier customer support services, call Warmzone today at 888.488.9276.
888-488-9276
info@warmzone.com
