As of this writing, it’s March, and the Tri-State Area is experiencing a late-season nor’easter. If you’re like most people in the Big Apple, your feet were treated by the shock of a cold bathroom floor this morning. You might think, “it’s just another downside to winter in New York.” But does it have to be?
Although most people these days experience the luxury of a heated floor for the first time in a day spa or high-end hotel, the technology behind them is anything but newfangled–in fact, it was thousands of years in the making. As we noted in a previous blog post, radiant floors heated home as far back as 10,000 BCE in Korea. The ancient Romans expanded the technology with an intricate system of ducts. In the mid-20th century, famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright introduced the concept in the Americas as an affordable heating option in his Usonian homes.
These days, radiant floor heating is experiencing a renaissance with designers who are building from the ground up or renovating unusual spaces. A recent Architectural Digest article noted that radiant floor heating is particularly efficient in heating spaces with lofted ceilings like converted barns. But it always seems to come back to the feet. “The coolest part is when you walk around on the floor in the middle of winter with your bare feet or your socks and your feet are warm,” architect Tim Franklin told AD.
Are you ready to step into luxury? Here’s what you need to know about radiant floor heating.
When it comes to heating solutions, radiant floor heating is gaining popularity beyond just bathrooms. With its numerous benefits, it’s no wonder that more commercial and residential spaces are opting for this efficient and comfortable heating system. At PK Electric NYC, we provide professional heating installation services to meet the diverse needs of our clients.
Our team of experienced electricians specializes in commercial electrical installations in NYC, ensuring that your radiant floor heating system is seamlessly integrated into your space. Whether it’s for a residential or commercial property, our expertise extends to all aspects of electrical services, including lighting installation and electrical panel wiring.
If you’re considering radiant floor heating or any other electrical service, PK Electric NYC is here to assist you. Visit our website to explore our wide range of services, including outdoor heating solutions and lighting installation. For residential electrical services, our dedicated residential electrician page provides valuable information.
Upgrade your heating system to the unparalleled comfort of radiant floor heating. Contact PK Electric NYC today for reliable and professional electrical services in NYC.
Best for New Builds or Major Renovations
Since installing a radiant floor heating system involves ripping up the existing floor, unless you’re only doing your bathroom, you could be looking at a big mess in your home for a while. While installing the electrical heating element is a fairly quick process, flooring demolition and reinstallation is a sometimes-lengthy process. Be prepared live in chaos for a while. So, if you’re looking to install radiant floors in your existing home, think of a few other projects for your contractor, take a vacation, and return to luxury.
Certain Materials Work Better
Go to any flooring showroom, and you’ll see a lot of options. While most of those options can be used with heated floors, some are better than others. Concrete and ceramic floors work best with heated flooring systems because their thermal conducting properties are more stable. Carpets are less optimal because they reduce heat flow. Hardwood floors shrink and expand and leave some gaps. But if you love your hardwoods, an experienced installer can mitigate those effects.
Your Panel Will Need an Upgrade
Your new electric heated floor system is going to need its own dedicated circuit. While some people like to take on installing their heated floor as a DIY project, all electrical work, including wiring and connecting the thermostat to the heating system, needs to be completed by a licensed and certified electrician.
You’ll Save Money
With the right smart home technology and a little research into government grants, your newly installed electric hardwood floor could start to pay for itself the minute you start using it. Used with a smart thermostat, you can set your floor to turn off when you’re not home. That same thermostat can also schedule your floor to turn on before you get home and heat up the room at a fraction of the time. There are also tax incentives for installing energy efficient elements into your home.
PK & Altman Electric installs radiant floor heating systems underneath hardwood, tiled and laminate floors throughout the New York City area. Working with your flooring company, we’ll be on hand for all phases of your installation, from helping you choose the ideal heating mats and thermostat to wiring the system to your home’s panel. And, as a licensed contractor approved by Con Edison, all work done by PK & Altman’s expert staff is guaranteed to meet New York City safety code standards.
Are you ready to step into the luxury, convenience, and efficiency of an electric heated floor? From estimate to completion, our team of licensed electricians is on-hand to help you take your home’s comfort to the next level.
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