Water Temperature For Radiant Floor Heating

Typically radiant heating systems warm floors to temperatures of 75 to 80 degrees f.

Water temperature for radiant floor heating.

According to ashrae the american society of heating refrigerating and air conditioning engineers a floor temperature that creates optimal human comfort for most people lies just about at 75 f as shown in this graph. You will need to be aware of the incoming groundwater temperature as cold water will drop the overall water temperature. In order to heat the floor the radiant floor heating system uses warm water running through plastic tubing that is installed in the floor. This includes the walls furniture and of course you the occupant of the building.

A pump kicks on and water runs from the water heater and into the floors. Water from the floors runs back into the water heater. If you can see the numbers on the gauges in the photo the water going out is about 100 degrees and the water coming back is about 80 degrees. When floors are conditioned within this range most people wearing normal footwear will enjoy having their feet on the floor.

As warm water circulates through the tubing or as electricity warms the heating elements the concrete flooring turns into an efficient inconspicuous radiator. Typical radiant heat floor system operating temperatures typical radiant floor systems operate at 85 125 f water temperature entering the tubing and put the floor surface temperature about 5 degrees above the room thermostat set temperature. Water heaters are good for radiant floor heating because they maintain a low temperature. That temperature is safe and comfortable as well as being efficient.