Can radiant floor heat mats replace a furnace?
Yes, radiant floor heat mats can replace the furnace as the primary heating source for a home.
Although they were once seen purely as a supplementary heating solution, advances in technology have enabled radiant heat mats like STEP HEAT to be capable of heating entire homes at any time of year so long as your home is sufficiently insulated.
Underfloor heat mats also come with several additional benefits when compared to furnaces.
- Heat mats produce zero emissions making them much better for the environment.
- They operate silently, unlike furnaces which can often be very noisy, particularly in smaller homes.
- Radiant heating systems are compatible with renewable energy sources including solar, wind, and geothermal heat pumps.
Another major benefit of radiant floor heat mats is that they require zero maintenance and no annual service (unlike furnaces, boilers, or other underfloor in-floor heating solutions like hydronic systems).
Overview of Radiant Floor Heat Mats
Radiant floor heat mats consist of a network of electrically powered heating elements that are installed beneath the floor surface.
These elements generate infrared heat that is transferred through the floor, which then radiates upward, providing warmth equally throughout the entire room.
Comparing Radiant Floor Heat Mats to Furnaces
Heat Distribution
Radiant floor heat mats offer a unique advantage in heat distribution when compared to furnaces because you are effectively turning the entire floor into one giant heat source.
As the heat radiates from the floor, it warms objects and people in the room directly, creating a uniform temperature throughout the entire space.
Furnaces, on the other hand, distribute heat through forced-air systems, which can result in uneven temperature distribution and drafts.
Energy Efficiency
Radiant floor heat mats are much more energy-efficient than furnaces. They have an energy efficiency rating of 100% because no heat is lost to the air in the room during the process of heat transfer.
The heat generated by radiant mats is absorbed and retained by the floor, reducing heat loss and optimizing energy usage.
Furnaces, especially older models, are much less energy efficient than electric radiant heat mats.
Heat from a furnace is distributed through a series of pipes and ducts to the areas of intended use and then returned to the furnace for reheating.
This is massively inefficient when it comes to energy efficiency. Not only is heat lost through warming the air in a room rather than the objects and people inside, but Furnaces can lose up to 15% efficiency just through gaps and leaks in the ducts and pipework.
Comfort and Air Quality
Radiant floor heat mats also come out on top when compared to furnace-powered heating systems for both comfort and air quality.
Radiant heat provides gentle and consistent warmth because it heats spaces without circulating air. This reduces dry air, dust, allergens, and other harmful airborne particles circulated by traditional systems, making them a suitable option for individuals with respiratory sensitivities or allergies.
Furnaces, due to their reliance on forced-air systems, can cause air to become dry and may distribute dust and allergens throughout the space.
Zoned Heating Capability
Unlike heating systems powered by a furnace radiant floor heat mats also have the benefit of zoned heating, allowing for independent temperature control in different areas or rooms.
This can help you to realize additional energy savings by only heating the spaces that are in use.
Furnaces typically function on an “all or nothing” basis where the entire system has to be in use. Furnace-powered systems can be zoned but this would require additional equipment and ductwork modifications which can be extremely expensive to fit.
