Floor Heating Systems for Anchorage, Alaska Residents

Finding the Best System for Heating Your Floors

Warm sunlight on a floor.

Radiant heat is an efficient and sustainable method of heating that can be traced back to ancient times. The advent of radiant heat is typically attributed to the early Roman hypocaust heating system, whereby heat from a nearby furnace was vented through channels created under the floor. But archeologists claim to have found evidence that radiant heat was first used in Asia thousands of years prior to the Romans – as early as 5,000 B.C. But without question, the Romans took radiant heat to the next level.


Radiant heat has come a long way since then, but only in the last 30 years or so has radiant heat gained widespread acceptance among homeowners in North America. Europe was the first to adopt the heating technology on a mass scale, but for some reason, Americans were slow to discover the surprising benefits of radiant floor heating systems. But times have changed, and radiant heat is fast becoming the home heating option of choice for business and homeowners alike. Consumers in cold weather climates are also using radiant heat to heat their driveways and walks, both for safety and convenience.


If you’re looking for a home heating system that offers ultimate comfort, convenience and unparalleled efficiency, then look no further than radiant heat. It’s easy to see why heated floors are rapidly becoming the system of choice in new construction nowadays. (Fortunately, there are also radiant floor heating systems designed to heat existing floors. The thin heating elements are stapled up in the floor joists and insulation is placed over it to direct all the heat upward to warm the existing floor. The system of choice for this application is RetroHeat. The heating element is a modified version of the FilmHeat element, shown below.) Radiant heat not only provides luxurious warmth, but it’s also today’s most energy efficient technology for heating homes.


Radiant heated floor systems utilize a heating element (typically thin resistance heat cable), a floor or ambient sensor, and thermostat (controller). Each zone, or room, can be controlled by its own thermostat, further adding to the efficiency of these systems. Electric floor heating systems operate silently and are maintenance free. Another advantage of clean radiant heat is that there is no dust or allergens being blown through vents and throughout the house. This is especially beneficial for senior citizens and health facilities. And with radiant heat systems there’s virtually no wasted energy. Over 95 percent of the energy used goes to heating the home.

A Variety of Floor Heating Systems is Available

Warmzone offers a dynamic range of floor heating systems. The heating elements of these systems range from durable heat cable to low-voltage polymer heating elements and paper thin “film” floor heating elements. Different types of floor heating systems and components. The most popular floor heating system, ComfortTile, features heat cable just 1/8-inch in diameter that is available on spools or pre-spaced in mats. The cable has proven itself over decades of use to become a long time industry leading system trusted by construction professionals throughout the country. (Warmzone offers a vast selection of heating elements and radiant floor heating components. Call 888.488.9276 for more details.

Floor Heating System Controls and Benefits of Radiant Heat

Advanced thermostat for radiant floor heating system. If you’re looking to step into a slice of heaven after being out in the chilly Alaskan nights, consider a radiant floor heating system. Warmzone offers a variety of state-of-the-art thermostats to control the systems. Simple on/off thermostats are available, but the more common choice is the programmable thermostat, available with an in-floor sensor or an ambient sensor, or both. The thermostat allows users to set the times and temperatures for the system to turn on. You can set it to warm shortly before you get up each morning and have it shut off just as you leave for work, and then turn on again shortly before you get home. The heating systems can be programmed to accommodate your schedule as you see fit.


Further adding to the remarkable efficiency, each room (or zone) can be controlled by its own thermostat. This allows you to heat the precise areas and rooms in your home while saving energy by not heating other areas. There's no wasted heat such as hot air routed through a series of ductwork and escaping through closed vents, which is common with traditional forced air systems.


Radiant floor heat is especially beneficial for families with small children. With forced air systems hot air is blown from the vents where it rises quickly to the top of the room, leaving the lower levels less comfortable. Radiant heat warms from the floor up, giving young children – who spend most of their time playing on the floor – a much more comfortable environment during the winter months.


To learn more about radiant floor heating systems, contact Warmzone today. We offer one of the largest selections of floor heating systems available. And we’ll be happy to talk with you and explain the characteristics and benefits of each system to determine which is best for you. Call 888.488.9276 today.