Radient Heating System in Floors
On average, we spend 90% of our time indoors and most of the time we are in our own homes, yet we are increasingly using products containing volatile organic compounds. VOC’s, in some cases create air quality that is 20 to 30 times more toxic than outdoor air.
If you are remodeling or going to build a new home consider the health benefits of using a beautiful concrete floor. Concrete floors that have radiant heating are much healthier for us. No air is pushed around the house in ducts that might have dust and mold spores inside. Radiant heating in concrete floors is an efficient and cost effective way to heat a home. Besides the health benefit is an easier floor to maintain than most other surfaces. Wiping up the floor with warm water is normally all you need to do.
Radiant concrete floors simply radiate heat upward from the floor to provide optimum comfort and many other benefits.
Radiant Concrete Floors
Warm water passes through continuous thick plastic tubing which is embedded in the concrete slab. A hot water heater keeps the water temperature inside the tubing a warm 75 to 80 degrees in Fahrenheit. The warm water is transferred to the surrounding concrete and the heat radiates upward into the living space, rather than blowing air around your home like forced air furnaces do. This natural heat transfer is both more comfortable and energy efficient.
Indoor air pollution is the cause of about 50% of illnesses. Common sources of this pollution include out gassing from toxic paints and finishes, carpeting, manufactured wood products containing glues high in formaldehyde, dust mites, mold spores, mildew and some cleaning products.
Bacteria in Carpet
When it comes to poor indoor air quality carpeting is one of the worst offenders. New synthetic carpeting can out gas over 100 different VOC’s. Carpet is difficult to clean and becomes a haven for dust particles, pollutants and bacterial growth. Tens of millions of microorganisms can be found in one square foot of carpet. Carpet can be a major source for mold, especially if it becomes wet and the water isn’t removed completely.
Radiant heated concrete floors are a healthier alternative to carpeting because they do not emit harmful VOC’s and are easy to sweep clean. VOC emissions from concrete building products are much lower than those for most building materials. The use of natural lime – cement plaster wall finishes and concrete counter tops can also significantly reduce total VOC concentrations inside a home.
Exposure to toxic mold in homes and buildings has been blamed for ailments ranging from headaches to severe respiratory infections and immune system disorders. Mold can thrive on any organic material, especially in warm, moist, humid conditions. Concrete floors and walls won’t support the growth of toxic mold.
Think about a beautiful and practical radiant heated concrete floor for your Marin County Home. Van Midde Concrete doesn’t install the radiant heating system but we do work with many local experienced contractors in the San Francisco Bay Area that do specialize in Radiant Heating Systems. We do however install the concrete floors and will finish the floors to your liking. We have many years of experience with concrete work in and around Marin County. Contact us for more information.
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