Radiant Floor Heating: Wrong Choice for Green Homes?

Radiant-floor heating is popular for some good reasons. It provides very comfortable, uniform heat, owing to the relatively low temperature and the large surface area from which the heat is radiated. It does not interfere with furnishings in a home as most other heat distribution systems do. It’s quiet. And, according to proponents, it can save energy by warming people directly (rather than heating the air)—thus allowing occupants to keep the thermostat (air temperature) lower.

Indeed, people living in houses with radiant-floor heat are often effusive in their enthusiasm. Walking around with bare feet on warm floors is very appealing.