1. Why is radiant floor heating so comfortable?
A radiant floor heating system warms bodies, objects and floor surfaces.  You feel comfortable because radiant floor heating keeps your feet and the objects around you warm – in turn keeping your body warm.

2. Why is radiant floor heating so efficient?
Radiant floor heating is an efficient delivery system when compared to radiators or air vents that try to blast enough heat into a room to heat it.  Radiant floor heating uses a low water temperature.  The warm water is constantly circulated in the floor, providing heat where it is needed, instead of wasting it at the ceiling.  Since radiant floor heating does not directly heat the air, not as much energy is lost with air leaks and infiltration.  With this heating method, savings of 10-30* percent on monthly heating bills can be realized.

*Radiant Panel Association

3. How does radiant floor heating work?
Warm water - from 80º to 140ºF - is circulated through flexible, Allied PEX or PEX-AL tubing that has been installed in the floor. Heat is transferred upward turning the entire floor into a warm, mild radiator.  A variety of hot water heat sources can be used to warm the water that flows through the tubing.

4. Is radiant floor heating only for new construction?
Radiant floor heating systems can be installed in remodeling and retrofit projects as well as in new construction.  The type of radiant system used would be determined by the circumstances of construction.  Typically, Allied PEX pipe would be installed above the sub floor when there is no finished floor in place.  In situations where an existing floor is to remain undisturbed, the radiant system would be installed below the sub floor using the Heat Transfer Plate System.

5. Will radiant floor heating damage my hardwood floors?
The floor surface temperature of a radiant heating system should not get above 85°F.  A typical sunroom floor with the sun shining on it gets hotter than a properly controlled radiant system ever makes it.

6. What are the benefits of radiant heating over forced air?
Radiant floor heating offers the homeowner many benefits among which are:
•More comfort first and foremost.
•Healthier - no dust or allergens being blown around.
•Higher operating efficiency due to low water temperatures and the heat being where the people are rather than at the ceiling.
•Quieter because there are no fans or blowers.
•Less maintenance, no filters or ducts or baseboard to clean.
•Decorating freedom without constraints of vents, returns or baseboard units.

7. Can I put radiant heating in any room?
Yes. However, your heating professional should do a heat loss calculation for you.  In exceptionally high heat loss rooms, a supplemental heat source could be necessary.

8. How do I control individual room temperature?
Radiant heating systems can be zoned just like any other heating system.  Proper balancing allows most rooms to be at the proper temperature without using thermostats, but thermostats are usually installed to give the homeowner control.

9. Can I use radiant heating to heat an entire house?
Absolutely.  We often hear from people who regret not heating their entire house with a radiant system.  It is easier and more economical to install a radiant system all at once than to go back in at a later date to patch in radiant heat where it had not been installed originally.  Your heating professional will do a heat loss calculation for the house.  The rare exception is when supplementary heat may be needed.

10. Can I use my existing water heater or do I need a boiler?
Economical use of a water heater depends on the size of the radiant floor heating system you are planning.  If used, a heat exchanger would be required to keep the potable water system and the closed loop radiant system separated.  A heating professional will be able to advise you on the pros and cons of different hot water sources.

11. Is a new boiler needed, or can a radiant system tie into the existing hydronic system?
Most frequently a radiant system can be tied into an existing boiler.  A heating professional will do the heating requirement calculations to determine if an existing boiler has the necessary capacity to support the radiant system.

12. What about carpet over a radiant heated floor?
Carpet is a good insulator and can keep the radiant heat from getting into the room if it is too heavy.  If wall to wall carpeting is to be used, the R-value of rug and pad combined should be less than 2.5.  If plush carpet with an R-value above 2.5 is desired, then supplemental wall radiant heat in the lower wall is recommended.  Area rugs leave floor space available for the radiant heat to do its job.

13. Is it possible to use radiant heat over an existing slab?
Radiant heat is the best way to turn a cold slab floor into a warm, inviting and usable space.  This can be accomplished in a couple of different ways.  The radiant installation method of choice

That depends on the type of radiant system that is installed and how cold the house is when beginning.  In general, a Climate Panel System which is on top of the sub floor will be faster to heat up a room (approximately 20-30 minutes) than will a concrete system.

14. What type of maintenance is required?
Allied equipment requires no maintenance.  System components that are supplied by others, such as the heat source, may require standard periodic maintenance

15. What if a tube breaks in a floor?
Allied cross linked PEX tubing is extremely durable and will not break in use.  PEX tubing can be punctured, however, by an unknowing carpenter or flooring installer.  In that case, a repair coupling would be used to eliminate the damage.  Allied offers a 25 year warranty on the tubing.  Our PEX tubing is, however, expected to have a life that will outlast the structure it is installed in.

16. What are the costs involved?
The installation cost of a radiant floor heating system will be more than a hot air or baseboard heating system.  However, the operating cost of a radiant floor heating system will be less than a hot air or baseboard heating system.  The choice is whether to buy the ultimate form of heating comfort in a quieter, hidden and highly reliable system while increasing the house value.  Allied radiant heating system is an investment in comfort.

17. How long will a radiant floor heating system last?
An Allied radiant floor heating system can be expected to outlast the house it is installed in.

18. Will the Allied^® Radiant Floor Heating System provide all of my heat?
In most cases modern insulating techniques make it possible for Allied Heating Systems to provide all of a building’s heating requirements, even in the most extreme environment.  There are times however, when supplementary heating may be required.

Buildings or rooms with large heat losses can present a problem.  For example, a large living room with a vaulted ceiling and a full wall of two-story glass would present a problem for any heating system.  The high heat loss of the glass coupled with chilled air cascading down the window will need special attention.  A very effective solution is to combine an Allied Heating System with a baseboard heater under the windows to counter the extra heat loss and cascading air in that area.

Another factor that can interfere with the ability of the Allied Heating System to provide complete heating is heavy floor covering. Plush carpet in a well designed and insulated building is not a problem, but plush carpet in an area with a lot of glass or higher than average heat loss can reduce the output of the heated floor to the point where it cannot deliver all of the heat required. In this situation a lighter floor covering can be used, the heat loss of the room reduced, or supplemental heat added.

The option for supplemental heat is designed into the Allied residential floor heating system for use when needed and becomes part of the complete system rather than a separate independent system. This gives the Allied floor heating system flexibility to handle a variety of situations.

19. What about air conditioning?
Most often a separate air-conditioning system is installed. This could be a simplified central system or a split system with strategically placed units. The advantage is zoned cooling. Using zoned cooling and placing air registers in the ceiling (where they should be), will result in summer energy savings.

Allied Radiant Heating provides the ultimate in comfortable, dry, safe, warm floors making it perfect for:

• Schools, churches, daycare centers, offices.
• Commercial buildings, shopping centers, manufacturing plants.
• Airplane hangars, repair garages, car washes.
• Greenhouses.
• Animal confinement buildings.
• Ice- and snow-free runways, parking areas, loading ramps, driveways and sidewalks.