In floor heat

[Woody]

Do you have electric in floor heat?  It typically comes in a mat/mesh type form and is laid under vinyl or tile.  If you have this, are you happy with it?  I'm considering it for the bathroom and kitchen.  Let me know your thoughts.  Thanks.

[BiggA]

I wish I had it. Especially in the basement bathroom. Also wish I had the in floor heat in the garage. They use a boiler and water pipes in the concrete.

[Woody]

Here's a link to the critter I'm referring to:

Electric in Floor heating    <-------click here

[schwinger]

My father in law just put a similar product in his basement bathroom and likes it. I don't know the brand he used but it is not a mesh like the one you referenced. It is just the cable and you put it in place then poor a self leveling type product to just cover it. This is how I remember him describing it anyway. It makes a big difference and he is happy with it.

[JoeFisherman]

Jeff, if you're already planning to re-do the floor then I think it's a no-brainer.  Install the infloor heat.  I've been to open houses where they have the infloor heat in the bathrooms and kitchen.  Man, it's nice!  I'm interested in hearing other opinions too.  I'm wondering how much it would affect the electric bill. 

We're looking to replace our seasonal cabin with a year-round place.  The plan is to put in a walk-out basement with a story and a half 30X32 cabin with a loft.  I'm planning to install hydronic radiant heat in the basement and also the upper level under the kitchen and bathroom area.  I'm thinking of going all electric as we don't have natural gas out there and I'd like not to mess with a propane tank, etc.  Anyone have experience with these systems?  Am I nuts going with an electric boiler vs gas?  Is it going to break the bank to keep the place heated year-round with this system?

[deadeye]

I just finished a basement bath (on concrete) and used the cable heat (not the mat).  We used tape to hold it in place and then put the thinset over the cables as the tiles were installed.  Hasn't been cold yet but seems to work fine.  Note: from the info on package, it uses very little power to maintain the set temp.

[Go Big Red!]

In floor heating heats objects i.e. walls, doors, furniture, floors, etc. where as forced air heats the room air and you get very uneven heating.  In floor (some systems, not all) will cost more in the beginning, but long run, save you $$$$.

I would go in floor next time.  I would even put it in my garage.

[beeker]

I have in floor heat (radiant) in the lower levels of my house. it is a closed unit and runs off of a water heater. the heat is very nice and does not dry out the air in thehouse like forced air, it does keep your feet warm. also it does not promote/push the dust around if you have asma. I also added a wood stove on the main level ( I have a split entry) my gas bills are pretty low in the winter..
this summer the gas company decided they needed to change out my meter... my house was built in 04.. so they changed out the meter saying it was scheduled.. they didn't change any of the others in the neighborhood. I'm guessing it's because my gas bill is under 100 in the winter. if I could only get the kids to cut the showers shorter.. or heat my water with the wood stove.

[The General]

Jeff, A buddy of mine just did is bathroom with the in floor heat you are talking about and he likes it. 

Someone was asking the price on the in floor heat monthly bill.  I have a 1600 sqft basement with a boiler and infloor heat, electric.  Our entire electric bill for the whole house has never been over $150 on average i'd say close to $120 a month.  Plus we live in the country and electricity costs a little more.

[Grute Man]

I put it in my basement bathroom and it works great.  It's very thin so it was easy to tile over.  It's not as thick as I thought it would have been; maybe 1/4th of an inch.  It keeps the floor nice and comfortable to the bare feet all winter long.  We got it at Menards for cheap.

[Woody]

Thanks Grute!  I was just looking at that very product the other day.  I'm liking what I'm hearing about it.   

[Auggie]

Jeff,
   I have radiant in floor heat in my shop and basement run by electric boilers. LOVE IT! The cost isn't bad as our electric coop offers a reduced rate if they can control it (shut it off during peak hours). And with radiant heat that is no problem as the concrete just keeps the heat radiating while they control it.
  The system you are looking at is a bit smaller scale and set up but I guarantee you will like the results. And the cost should not add much to your electric bill.

[Go Big Red!]

Jeff,
   I have radiant in floor heat in my shop and basement run by electric boilers. LOVE IT! The cost isn't bad as our electric coop offers a reduced rate if they can control it (shut it off during peak hours). And with radiant heat that is no problem as the concrete just keeps the heat radiating while they control it.
  The system you are looking at is a bit smaller scale and set up but I guarantee you will like the results. And the cost should not add much to your electric bill.

Some people will even keep the thermostat lower because of such even heating which saves $$$$.  It's simply a matter of conduction vs. convection in heating terms.  How it was explained to me: Conduction is the transfer of heat through solid material and Convection is the transfer of heat through the air. 

Again, depending of what system you go with, it may or may not be more expensive up front, but the long term savings are even higher.  It will pay for itself.

[Auggie]

  And the recovery time is phenomenal. Not that it matters in your bathroom. But when I open my 10'x10' overhead door in the shop it warms back up within minutes of shutting it.