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The U.S. Department of Energy has hailed underfloor heating as one of the most energy-efficient forms of domestic heating currently available. On its Energy Savers website, it points out that underfloor heating — often referred to as radiant heating in the USA is more efficient than baseboard heating and usually more efficient than forced-air heating because no energy is lost through ducts.? The site also notes that underfloor heating is a more flexible system than its alternatives because it is able to be run from a wide variety of energy sources — gas, oil or wood burners, or renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power. Finally, it recommends underfloor heating as the best option for anyone suffering from allergies, as the system does not release or move potentially irritating particles in the home. There are several main reasons for this energy-efficiency: firstly, it heats the room from the bottom up, requiring less overall energy expenditure for a cosy atmosphere. Secondly, other heating systems need to operate for longer to give the same levels of ambient heat. Thirdly, underfloor heating is highly controllable, meaning that single rooms or entire buildings can be controlled from the thermostat ? or any other combination thereof.
