![]() ![]() Generally speaking, all flooring can be used with radiant heat, while manufacturer recommendations vary and should be the first resource you go to before installation. 3īecause radiant heat is based underneath the floor, the type of flooring you choose to install on top of it matters. Hydronic systems come with more upfront installation costs but are less expensive to operate, making them a better choice for whole house systems. Electric systems are generally less expensive to install, more expensive to operate and better for small areas. ![]() Radiant heating comes in two forms, electric and hydronic (water-based). This Old House summed it up perfectly: “As the invisible waves of thermal radiation rise from below, they warm up any objects they strike, which radiate that captured heat in turn. Though the air temperature remains relatively constant, you stay comfortable because the surrounding surfaces aren’t stealing warmth from your body.” 2 1 If you recall from middle school science that heat rises, it makes sense that when heat is conducted from the floor up, it’s more effective than heat that is forced into a space. Radiant heat flooring systems are a highly efficient and cost-effective way to heat your home, providing an average savings of 15% on heating bills. This time of year, we also get more calls and inquiries about radiant heat and Eco Cork Foam underlayment. We will also offer tips on how to cook with gas more safely.As cooler weather sets in, a lot of us are testing out our home heating systems and thinking about efficiency. That’s why we’ll continue to keep our guides to freestanding and slide-in gas ranges updated with recommendations and buying advice. Still, we know that some people prefer cooking with gas, or they may not have the option to switch to an induction or radiant-electric range. And if you’re concerned about sustainability, electric appliances can draw from renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power. Any electric stove beats gas at cooking efficiency. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported in January 2023 that it plans to strengthen voluntary safety standards on new gas stoves as concerns grow around their health risks a December 2022 study, for example, found that 12.7% of childhood asthma cases could be attributed to gas stove use. Gas stoves may be potentially risky for your health, even with ventilation, in part because they emit benzene and methane. If you have the option, there are other good reasons to consider an electric stove over a gas version. We’d also like to investigate stoves that embrace adaptive design, which allows those with disabilities or who are aging in place to use them more easily. (We do recommend a slide-in induction stove in our guide to slide-in electric ranges.) In particular, we’ll focus on models that can be repaired or easily updated, and that use technology and associated Wi-Fi–enabled apps wisely. For this guide we don’t feel comfortable recommending them, though we hope to add induction options in the future. A couple of affordable freestanding induction ranges are available, but their reported unreliability gives us pause. If you want a durable induction stove with a nice range of features, you should expect to pay much more than you would for a radiant electric stove of the same quality. Induction ranges will also feature a radiant-electric oven. Note that the induction cooktops and high-quality radiant-electric ones, like those in our guide, look and feel very similar, with the cooking elements under a smooth glass surface. ![]()
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