Can radiant floor heating reduce your energy bills?
Yes—radiant electric floor heating can significantly lower both gas and electric bills. In one real-world example, a family in South Carolina cut their gas bill nearly in half and reduced their electricity use after installing a WarmlyYours electric floor heating system.
The Problem: An Imbalanced, Inefficient Heating Setup
When the Norfolk family moved into their two-story home in Greer, South Carolina, they were shocked by their high winter gas bill—$191.17 in just one month. Their home’s forced-air system left the first floor freezing cold while the second floor overheated.
To stay warm, they relied on space heaters, sweatpants, and sweaters, but it wasn’t enough. The first winter was uncomfortable, inefficient, and expensive.
The Solution: Installing Electric Radiant Floor Heating
In September 2011, Noelle Norfolk won WarmlyYours’ “Share Your Story” contest after installing an Environ II™ electric floor heating mat in her family room. The system was installed directly under the floor to bring consistent, comfortable warmth to the entire first floor.
💬 “Now, we enjoy regulated temperatures throughout our home,” Noelle wrote. “And our bills are way down.”
The Results: Lower Gas and Electric Bills
One year after installing radiant floor heating:
🔥 Gas usage dropped from 163 therms to 90 therms
⚡ Electricity usage dropped from 1,800 kWh to 1,170 kWh
💸 Gas bill cut in half, from $191.17 to $95.51
💡 Even with the system running, their electric bill was lower than it was with space heaters
Noelle shared just how big a difference the change made:
“It’s definitely made me very happy. Amazingly, our electric bill is also lower than when we were using space heaters! (And I currently have my lay-flat-to-dry clothes lying on the living room floor, because it’s too cold for them to dry anywhere else in the house!)”
Warm floors became more than a comfort—they became a practical upgrade that made day-to-day life easier and more energy-efficient.
Why Electric Radiant Heating Saves Energy
Electric radiant heating warms the room evenly from the floor up, eliminating the inefficiency of forced air systems that push warm air to the ceiling. Combined with a programmable thermostat, like the WarmlyYours nJoy Programmable thermostat, users can:
Set heating schedules based on daily routines
Avoid overheating rooms unnecessarily
Maintain consistent, comfortable temperatures
💰 Estimated cost to heat the Norfolks’ large family room: just $0.65/day
Thinking about using a space heater instead?
👉 See how radiant heating compares to space heaters in safety, cost, and comfort.
See the Savings for Yourself
Here’s a visual comparison of the Norfolk family’s gas usage from 2011 to 2012:
The data speaks for itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does radiant floor heating really reduce utility bills?
Yes. Because it operates more efficiently and maintains consistent warmth, radiant heating often results in lower gas and electric bills—especially when replacing space heaters or supplementing forced air.
Is radiant heat more efficient than space heaters?
Absolutely. Radiant heat provides even warmth without energy waste. Space heaters create hot spots and often draw more electricity for less coverage.
How much does it cost to run radiant floor heating?
For most rooms, electric radiant heating costs less than $1 per day—often just pennies—depending on room size, insulation, and local energy rates.
Can I use radiant heating to reduce heating imbalance in my home?
Yes. Radiant heat is ideal for fixing uneven temperatures between floors, rooms, or areas with large windows or high ceilings.
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