Learn About the Options

November 29, 2008 00:11 AM  BY  STACEY BARRUS

With the current housing market being so unpredictable, we’re seeing an increasing number of homeowners are opting to stay put in their homes, rather than buy a new home. They find that one way to make their current home a better fit for them is to remodel the kitchen or bathroom, or upgrade the home’s heating systems. While there isn’t a single heating system out there that is an ideal fit for every project, there is an ideal system for every project. Warmzone.com can provide you with the heating systems you desire, as well as consult with you on which systems would be the best fit for your project.

Hydronic under floor heating systems are some of the most popular forms of radiant heat. In the most recent hydronic heating systems, PEX radiant tubing has been installed in a concrete mass called Gypsum Concrete or “Gypcrete.” This method of heating system installation works very well in most applications, but there have been developments in the installation process of hydronic under floor heating that make it easier to install for certain situations. This new development is known as a low-mass or modular board underlayment system. Rather than embedding the hot water tubing in concrete, the PEX tubing is laid in the grooves of pre-cut wood panels. This new method is ideal for remodeling and most new construction projects.

Heating System Tip: The hydronic under-floor heating system was first used by the Romans; there have obviously been significant developments since that time.

 


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Bring the "Fancy" to Your Own Home

December 12, 2008 00:12 AM  BY  STACEY BARRUS

If you’ve ever stayed in a fancy hotel and felt the warm tile beneath your feet you’ve probably wondered how they heat the tile.Well, it’s actually pretty simple using radiant heaters. Radiant heaters are economical, and easy to install.This is how they work.

When a radiant heat system is switched on, energy is forced through a conductive material to create resistance or heat. Majority of the time an electronic line-voltage system is used. This system uses a special thermostat that has an integrated GFCI breaker for safety.

Dry radiant floor systems allow even heating throughout the entire floor. The heat radiates from the floor and warms objects near the floor as opposed to forced hot air that tends to rise to the ceiling. Radiant heaters heat while reducing dust, draft, and noise problems associated with forced air systems. They can be more aesthetically pleasing than other forms of heating because there are no heat registers or radiators to obstruct interior designs. Manufacturers claim radiant floor heating saves 20 to 40 percent on monthly heating bills as compared to the other heating appliances.

Mostly the radiant heat panels are attracted to the sub floor using approximately 10 screws per panel. Manufacturer recommendations include screwing and fastening adhesive when installing the panel. An electrometric bonding material is placed in the grooves prior to tube installation. The tube is pressed into the groove flush with the surface of the panel. Though the installation does not take much time, you may want to consult the professionals at warmzone.com if you’re considering installing your own radiant heating system.


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Hydronic Radiant Heating

December 19, 2008 00:12 AM  BY  STACEY BARRUS

Hydronic under floor heating are the most popular form of radiant heaters. This is mainly because these radiant heaters have been around the longest. This form of heating was first used by the Romans, but there have been significant developments since. In the most recent hydronic systems, PEX radiant tubing has been installed in a concrete mass called Gypsum Concrete or “Gypcrete.” This method works very well in most applications, but there have been developments in the installation process of hydronic under floor radiant heaters that make it easier to install for certain situations. This new development is known as a low-mass or modular board underlayment system. Rather than embedding the hot water tubing in concrete, the PEX tubing is laid in the grooves of pre-cut wood panels. This new method is ideal for remodeling and most new construction projects.

If you’d like to know more about both types of hydronic heating systems, contact the expert staff at warmzone.com.  They can help match your individual project with the best system at the best price. There isn’t a single system out there that is an ideal fit for every project, but there is an ideal system for every project. Also, because of the relationship that warmzone.com has with the manufacturers, they can guarantee the lowest price on the highest quality systems available.


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Radiant Heaters

November 11, 2007 00:11 AM  BY  WARMZONE

Radiant heaters, as opposed to warm air systems (such as a forced air unit heaters), deliver the source of heat to the floor level, not the ceiling. And since warm air rises, heating the floors proves to be the most efficient means of heating living areas.

Radiant heaters or radiant energy is the oldest form of heating used to provide comfort and is the basis for all heating systems. Radiant energy is totally pure radiation and is absorbed by an object without physical contact with the heat source or by heating the surrounding air, as is the case with convective, forced air systems.

Under floor heaters were first used by the Romans. Initially the preserve of the rich, under floor heating became increasingly commonplace in public buildings and villas, particularly in the colder regions of the Roman Empire. The Roman system was based on hypocausts, comprising ducts that underlay the floor (itself built on raised brick piles) and flues that were built into walls. Hot air or steam from fires circulated up through this system, warming the floor and walls, with heat passing into the rooms.

More specifically, the floor was laid out as series of concrete slabs acting as radiant heaters supported by columns of layered tiles, with a furnace at the bottom of one exterior wall. By placing the fire here, the draught would take the radiant heat under the floor, and up through the walls to radiant heater chimneys located in the corners of the room.

Today we recognize the brilliance of the Romans and Koreans as early adopters of radiant heating, as the technology is still a desired method for delivering comfortable and efficient heat in our homes. Now we have radiant heaters using electric resistance cables that are constructed of highly rated materials and feature manufacturer warranties of up to 25 years.

 

About Warmzone
Warmzone provides consumers with energy-efficient, radiant heating solutions for homes and businesses. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Warmzone's electricians and radiant heat experts will help you determine the best radiant heating solution, ranging from electric heated floors to large commercial snow and ice melt projects. Send us a plan or drawings and we'll be happy to provide you with a FREE estimate and options for your roof heating and ice melting project.


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Radiant Heaters 101

December 22, 2008 00:12 AM  BY  STACEY BARRUS

The number of types of radiant heaters available for residences or businesses is awfully mind-boggling. There’s really a lot of selection for homeowners to choose from. Today we’ll discuss the electric cable heating system kind of radiant heaters.

Electric cable heating systems are gaining popularity in as radiant heaters and are ideal for heating smaller areas (10-300 square feet) like bathrooms, kitchens, and sun rooms. These systems are comprised of a thermostat and a heating cable. On some systems, the cable will be shipped to you as a large spool of cable. These systems are oftentimes less expensive, and give you the ability to space the cable how you want and customize a layout that will heat every square inch of your floor. Other systems have the cable attached to a plastic mesh or tape to create a mat to maintain its proper spacing.

Every available cable system is equally effective, so when determining which radiant heater system to purchase, you should look at the warranty of the product, along with the ease of installation. Some cables must be embedded in a separate layer of concrete or mortar, whereas other systems can simply be installed in the thinset.

Radiant Heaters Tip: When heating smaller areas with a radiant heater, it is nearly impossible to beat the simplicity and price of an electric cable heating system.


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