Underfloor radiant heating in general is enjoying resurgence in popularity because of the benefits of comfort and energy efficiency.

Now, for alternative energy, radiant heating is becoming the method of choice for space heating because it enables low temperature operation which is important for solar energy collection and also because the solar energy can be stored efficiently within a radiant system.

This link can be followed for a more comprehensive study of the many advantages of radiant heating.  About Radiant Heating

The sun is the mother of all radiant heating systems and its partnership with mechanical, earthly underfloor radiant systems is a good thing. There are many benefits to the combination, and this appreciation has taken the practice of solar heating design to an entirely new level.

It is most efficient to use solar energy directly to make underfloor radiant heat. Earlier solar heating systems would first heat a storage tank and then distribute the stored heat with radiant heating tubes. When solar energy is used directly to provide radiant heat, the radiant floor system cannot be used by the backup heating system as this use would compromise the solar storage. This method can be used but it is much less efficient than a direct application.

Here are several specific uses whereby you can combine solar energy with radiant heating directly.

1. Solar Option One leverages massive thermal storage in slab on grade construction by strategic placement of insulation in the slab. This award winning design is is perhaps the most powerful and useful solar heating design available but it has to be planned into the construction on new buildings.
2. Radiant Heat can be installed in new construction.
3. Radiant Heat can be retrofit within joisted floors.
4. Our Domestic Hot Water option can be used with both new and retrofit applications.
5. Supplemental uses use up excess solar energy or can still work when the solar energy is too weak to heat the home, such as on overcast or rainy days.
   1. Snowmelt and Deicing
   2. Hot tubs and pools
   3. Gardening