Radiant Heat FAQs for Puget Sound Area Homeowners

There are a lot of questions when it comes to installing a radiant heating system and Janes Radiant Heating wants to help you determine if it’s the right heating solution for you. Our most frequently asked questions are listed below.

• What is radiant heat?
  Radiant heating is a simple system of tubing that is installed underneath the floor of your home or building. Hot water runs through these tubes to heat your space, literally from the ground up. Form more information on the most comfortable form of heating around, check out “What is Radiant Heat?“
• Is radiant heating only for new construction?
  Absolutely not! Not only can radiant heat be installed into existing single family, multi-unit, and commercial buildings, but Janes Radiant Heating can help you install a system for just one room of your home – like the bathroom.
• Why does radiant heat save me money?
  Because of the way radiant heat warms the room from the ground up, people are more comfortable with a lower thermostat setting. Plus, the heat stays down near you, where you need it instead of rising up to the ceiling as with other systems. So, lower thermostat settings and less heating required means lower heating bills.
• Why is radiant heat more comfortable?
  In-floor heating warms the floor, the furniture and you with even heat. No cold spots, no drafty rooms, no vents spilling heat to just certain portions of the room. With your entire house an even temperature, you get more comfort.
• How is a radiant system installed?
  There are two basic approaches to installing a radiant heat system…in-floor and joist, depending on the room(s). For further details, please contact Janes Radiant Heating, your Infloor radiant heat experts.
• Are all radiant systems the same?
  While all radiant floor systems have the same goal, we’ve done the research and homework necessary to determine the best system. Janes Radiant Heating chose Infloor as the best radiant system, because we can count on them to ensure a quality product and system for our customers – every time. Plus they have the years of experience to match ours so we know we’re bringing a great team to the table.
• How do I know if a radiant system is the best solution for my project?
  Ask yourself a few questions:
  1. Do I want the most comfortable system available?
  2. Do I want a more efficient heating system that will save me money?
  3. Do I want freedom to arrange furniture anywhere in the room?
  4. Do I want to eliminate cold spots and drafty corners?If you’ve answered YES to any of these questions, then an Infloor Radiant System is probably a great solution for you. Contact a Janes Radiant Heating expert for a personal consultation.
• Can I install a radiant system myself?
  Call us to talk about our custom “do it yourself” radiant heating kits. We provide custom electric and hot water heating kits that you can use, so contact us for details and to discuss the benefits of factory trained representatives doing the install, like warranties. Based on your situation, we’ll help you determine the best solution for your heating needs.
• How can I heat the water for my radiant system?
  Radiant heat offers great flexibility in fuel choices for heating the water used in the system…electricity, oil, propane or natural gas. If you have questions about how radiant heat works, visit What is Radiant Heat? or contact Janes Radiant Heating for more information.
• If I’m putting carpet over my radiant system, are there special carpet installation requirements?
  Carpet and radiant heat make great partners. There’s no concerns with the type of carpet you install, but be sure to use a R-value padding. This allows for proper heat transfer from the floor. Not sure what to select? Don’t worry, Janes Radiant Heating can help you select the right cushioning and can even provide it through Infloor.
• What if we’re installing wood floors? Are there installation options available?
  Wood flooring can usually be installed using a floating floor, glue-down installation method or a wood sleeper system. Not sure what all that means? Just give us a call and we’ll walk you through your radiant floor heating questions step-by-step.
• What if I also want air conditioning?
  Most of the time, a separate air conditioning system is installed. This could be a central air system or a split system with strategically placed units, called ‘zoned’ cooling. The advantage to zone cooling, with registers placed in the ceiling, is more energy savings in the summer.
• Can my radiant heating system freeze? Will I need to put anti-freeze in the system?
  Freezing is rarely a problem with radiant heating systems. Usually keeping a system running, even at a lower thermostat setting will keep a system in working order. Unless a system will be shut off for an extended period of time under freezing conditions, like a cabin or second home, anti-freeze is not needed but certainly available for a peace of mind.