Five Myths about Solar Panels, Debunked

Solar panels can drastically cut or even eliminate energy bills, reduce a home’s carbon footprint, increase resale value, and may even help a home sell faster. They are also known to pair well with Infloor Heating Systems to further reduce your costs and impact. The cost of rooftop solar systems has fallen dramatically in recent years, and most homeowners have the option of buying the system, leasing it on reasonable payment terms, or having a third-party pay for and install the system at no up-front cost at all for the homeowner. Plus, home solar systems may be eligible for federal… READ MORE

Smart Thermostats for Smart Heating Systems

Now’s the time to upgrade your radiant heating systems thermostat, and get the most out of it. We have a variety of smart thermostats that can not only make your life easier and more comfortable, but also save you money by reducing your energy costs. Add peace of mind to the list with the Wi-Fi models, giving you the ability to check and adjust your system from anywhere. One of the models we suggest is the ecobee Smart Si, which intuitively understands when to turn on your heating or cooling system based on your home’s unique energy profile and the weather… READ MORE

Must-Have Elements for Building a Sustainable New Home

When someone builds a home for you, you have the opportunity to make it as sustainable, eco-friendly and energy-efficient as possible. Not only are sustainable homes more cost-effective over the long term, they have a smaller environmental impact, and can be more appealing to home-buyers when you’re ready to sell and move. In fact, more than half of Realtors report consumers are interested in sustainability, according to the National Association of Realtors’ REALTORS and Sustainability report. What’s more, 70 percent say a home’s efficient use of energy is important to potential buyers.

How Colorado’s Most Efficient Home is Heated

We recently came across an article highlighting how Colorado’s most energy efficient home is heated, and found it fascinating. Reliably heating a very small space can be surprisingly challenging. The heating method and source needs to be reliable, consistent, safe, and not over heat the space. One builder faced this challenge head on with fantastic results. Have a look at their story and how they provided the perfect solution. How do you design a heating system for a home that uses barely any heat? For builder Andrew Michler, the solution was to keep it as simple as possible.

Therma-Floor (Gypcrete) Installation Method

One of our most common and effective installation applications is Therma-Floor, commonly known as a gypcrete. The gypsum underlayment is designed to pour over tubing, encasing the tubes in crack resistant, noncombustible gypsum, acting as the thermal mass. Therma-Floor systems can be used in many different situations, because it can be installed on top of subfloors and concrete slabs, whether existing or new. Its special formula resists breakdown up to 150ºF (66ºC). And because it’s poured only 1-1/4″ to 1-1/2″ (32 mm to 35 mm) thick, the heating system is more responsive and more comfortable. As a “green” building material,… READ MORE

Earth Day is Every Day

Founded in 1970 as a day of education about environmental issues, Earth Day is now a globally celebrated holiday that is sometimes extended into Earth Week, a full seven days of events focused on green awareness. The brainchild of Senator Gaylord Nelson and inspired by the antiwar protests of the late 1960’s, Earth Day was originally aimed at creating a mass environmental movement. It began as a “national teach-in on the environment” and was held on April 22 to maximize the number of students that could be reached on university campuses. By raising public awareness of air and water pollution,… READ MORE

Smart Controls Improve System Performance

Radiant heating is not only the most comfortable heating method available, it’s also one of the smartest. A wide selection of smart components can be added to Infloor Heating Systems, such as the tekmar House Control 402 and Gateway 483, and Wi-Fi thermostats, giving customers the ultimate control over their heating needs, from anywhere in the world, and with system data reports available to document and understand energy use and system performance.

Five Reasons Radiant Heating Should be in Your Greenhouse

For many, when planning and designing a greenhouse, heating is a factor that is often overlooked. A traditional forced-air heather and thermostat are often considered, but is this method of greenhouse heating really the best solution? For those in Northern climates, there is a more cost-effective means of heating your greenhouse, which provide both plants and growers with a number of benefits: radiant heating.

Never Shovel Snow Again

Imagine waking up early on a winter weekday morning. It has been snowing all night, and you have a busy day ahead. But you’re not thinking about shoveling, you’re thinking about the delicious coffee brewing at that very moment thanks to a programmable coffeemaker. You have added peace of mind knowing your driveway and walkways and parking lot at work are already clear of snow and ice, thanks to another programmable piece of technology, an Infloor Snowmelt System.

Electric Cable Heating Gets Smart

More and more homeowners are saying goodbye to their cold floors with Electric Cable radiant heating, which continues to gain popularity as a room-to-room heating option for new construction and remodels. Bathrooms, entrance ways, kitchens, and laundry rooms alike have become welcoming to bare feet thanks to Infloor electric cable heating, and smart technology is taking the experience, and energy savings to new heights.