Have you recently installed in-floor heating and wondered what temperature you should set it to? Or are you considering installing in-floor heating but want to know what temperature setting is best? Continue reading for a definitive answer and to learn more about the various aspects/features of in-floor heating.
75° F (24° C) is the ideal temperature for in-floor heating. For a small temperature range, anywhere between 74° F and 77° F is ideal for in-floor heating.
Some will accept it for what it is, but for those who want to know why 75° F is the ideal temperature, keep reading.
Why Is 75 Degrees Fahrenheit The Ideal Temperature?
When you think of 75° F, you probably think of peak summer temperatures, and for those who prefer fall/winter, you might think it’s too hot to handle. Not to worry!
Seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit is slightly lower than our skin temperature, which is around 91°F. This means that the floor will not feel hot to people, but rather comfortable. Finally, the goal of in-floor heating is to provide comfort. You don’t want to be too cold or too hot; you want it to be just right.
Continue reading to learn how warm the warm will feel with in-floor heating because, while 75°F is the ideal temperature, that is not what the room will be.
How Hot Should In-Floor Heating Be?
As previously stated, the ideal temperature for in-floor heating is 75° F, but don’t worry, the entire room will not feel this way. Heat rises, as I learned in science class as a kid. So your feet will be the hottest, but the temperature at eye level or above will be cooler.
The temperature will be lower from the ground up than it is at the source. People can expect a seven to ten-degree drop from the source at eye level.
Based on the ideal temperature, people will perceive a temperature of 68°F or slightly higher at eye level. The temperature will be around 60°F at night. Again, heat is lost as it rises, and the temperature will never be as hot as it is on the ground with in-floor heating.
Overall, the temperature assigned to the floor will be felt. However, at 68-70°F in the room, it should feel like a nice warm day in the air.
How Long Should Floor Heating Take To Warm Up?
Although in-floor heating is known for its quick heating times, a few factors make it difficult to give an exact time. This time is influenced by the following factors:
- Dimensions of the room
- The room’s insolation
- The floor finish that was used
- The system type and heat source
These four major factors influence how long it takes for a room to warm up.
Room Dimensions
Obviously, installing in-floor heating in a smaller room, such as a bathroom, will take less time than installing it in a large living room. A small to medium-sized room, for example, may take 20 to 30 minutes to heat up, whereas a medium to large room may take 40 minutes to an hour. These are not exact times, but are used to demonstrate that there will be a difference based on size.
Insulation
Insulation is the ability of your home to retain heat. Do you frequently feel cold and as if your heating is wasting your money? Then you have a house that is poorly insulated. As a result, if you’re in a poorly insulated space, it will take longer to feel properly heated.
If this is a concern for you, you should consider replacing the insulation in your home. If your home is well-insulated, however, you won’t have to worry about the room taking longer to heat up.
Floor Finish
The amount of time will vary depending on the type of floor in the room where you intend to install in-floor heating. Due to their high thermal conductivity, tile and stone have proven to be the fastest heating floor types. This means that the heat from the in-floor heating system will quickly transfer to the floor’s surface.
Carpets, on the other hand, are a type of flooring to be aware of. If you have a carpeted room, you must ensure that the carpet material does not act as an insulator. This will keep the heat out.
System Type And Heat Source
Hydronic and electric heated floors are the two types. Hydronic simply means that the floor is heated by water, whereas electric means that the floor is heated by electricity.
The hydronic system circulates water from a boiler or water heater via floor tubing. This method works well for heating the entire house. Resistant wiring is zigzagged throughout the floor for the electronic system and is typically confined to one room/space.
What Is The Maximum Floor Heating Temperature?
While warming the floor is not harmful, it is important to understand the maximum temperature for in-floor heating.
According to multiple sources, the best temperature range to avoid is between 80° F and 85° F. However, staying below 85°F is a safe bet, especially to avoid any unnecessary damage. You don’t want to get too close to 90°F at this point because our skin temperature is 91°F.
If you think about it, your feet will feel whatever temperature you set the floor to, so anything above 85°F will be hot, and anything above may come too close to or exceed our skin temperature.
Is It Necessary To Service In-Floor Heating?
In-floor heating is generally maintenance-free, but it is always recommended to get regular service maintenance to ensure that the system remains in good working order.
So, in order to keep everything in order, have it serviced. This will ensure that any potential problems are avoided. Overall, however, you should avoid having it serviced.
Is The Entire Room Heated By In-Floor Heating?
To put it simply, yes. In-floor heating heats the entire floor of the chosen space and distributes heat evenly across the surface. Because of the efficiency of in-floor heating, you will not have any cold spots; in-floor heating will even save you money on your heating bill.
As previously stated, heat rises. Knowing this, you can anticipate that the entire room with in-floor heating will be warm. The heat will rise, making the room feel warm and inviting.
Wrapping Up
With this knowledge, you should be able to set the temperature for your in-floor heating with confidence. If you’re still on the fence about installing it, keep in mind that it’s both safe and cost-effective.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings