Radiant floor heating systems are powered by a boiler or a special water heater therefore no furnace is needed. Often, the floor heating system can be combined with high-velocity air conditioning, and a potable hot water delivery system for cooking, bathing and laundry.

Many homes today have one or more vaulted ceilings. With forced-air or radiator systems, these larger open areas require ceiling fans to blow air up or down, depending on the season. But with a radiant floor system, warm air is already right where you want it.

Think of it this way: when you're sitting down to watch TV, if you have a forced-air or radiator system, often you must turn the heat up to be comfortable; with radiant heat, you can actually turn it DOWN because you're closer to the floor, which is the source of heat.

The surface temperature of the floor is designed to be no higher than 88 degrees F (31 degrees C), so it's always comfortable to walk on. HeatLink operates at the lowest possible water temperature to heat the structure. This level provides the most efficient transfer of energy. There are no wide temperature variations that you experience with forced air or radiator systems. It's also quiet! There are no noisy fans or radiator expansion noises to contend with, just quiet comfort. Energy efficiency is one of the system's strong points because the system delivers heat where it's needed, with little waste. A thermostat can be put in every room of the house, and unoccupied rooms can be set back to save energy.

Control determines the success of a hydronic system, and HeatLink's integrated StatLink control system and flow-balancing manifold establishes that control. Balancing of a radiant system is critical, especially when you have a complex layout, with different zones and varying loop lengths. The ability to adjust and balance each loop is vital to the total system performance. HeatLink's system is engineered to control and operate every component independently. When the system is in use, the StatLink control system is the 'brain' of the various room thermostats. By simply adding a StatLink setback module you can completely automate your entire system.

A zone is an area of thermostatic temperature control, which may consist of a single room, a single level, or other designation. A typical installation will have a number of zones depending upon the system design, which will ensure the ultimate in comfort and efficiency. The complete manifold system and control system occupy a very small area.