In a radiant floor heating system, the home is heated through radiant heat rising from the floor. The source of the heat is generally hot water circulated in tubing under the floor.

A radiant floor offers several advantages to a traditionally forced air system, many of them in the area of comfort. Because hot air rises, forced air systems tend to heat the upper body more than the lower body, which can lead to discomfort. A radiant floor heating system, conversely, tends to impart a feeling of natural warmth since ideally the limbs should be warmer than the head. Radiant floor systems also require less humidification, since forced air systems, which are typically leaky, draw dry winter air in from outside. By avoiding the circulation of air, radiant floor systems can also offer benefits to those sensitive to indoor air quality such as asthma sufferers.

See also: Solar Thermal Arrays

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