Why is it that people don’t often think about a type of home heating system that offers greatly enhanced comfort? Probably 90 percent of homes today have traditional forced air heating systems. It’s just the norm. If you want anything else you would have to request it specifically. Which heating system would I go for? Without hesitation, I would opt for a radiant heated floor.

This option seldom enters people’s minds when searching for a home. Well, as one who has experienced this system, radiant heat is certainly my top consideration. You can talk about efficiency and the varying types of radiant heat, but for me the enhanced comfort is all I need to know.

The difference between forced air systems and radiant floor heating systems in terms of heat distribution.

Forced air systems blow heated air into the room, usually stirring up dust and allergens in the process. The warm air then rises and the result is a nice warm -- ceiling. The gecko’s love it. With a radiant heated floor, the heat originates down low in the room (see the illustration), where we can best benefit from the warmth.

Thermostats are generally placed at a height of around 5 feet on the wall, and maintains the temperature detected at that location. With a forced air system it will be warmer above that spot and colder below.

Warm radiant floors are a different animal. Utilizing heat cable or water heated tubing installed in the floor results in an efficient, comfortably heated warm floor. For me the comfort level is in a different world than with forced air systems. When your feet are warm, you feel warm all over.

If you haven’t experienced a warm floor do yourself a favor and try it. Chances are, you’ll never go back to forced air heating systems again.