But saving extra money in the warmth of your own home is only part of the advantage of employing electric radiant heat. Add the fact that such a heat source helps allergy sufferers by reducing the levels of mold, dust and pollen spread by typical forced air systems and the benefits multiply. And don't forget doing your part to clean up the environment by being able to throw out those snow-melting salts and chemicals, as well as the burnt fuel used in other heating methods.

While most electric heating systems distribute heat by circulating warm air throughout a room, electric radiant heat takes a different approach. By warming surfaces to directly heat objects and, therefore, people in your home, this heating alternative is gaining popularity by the day.

Often embedded in the ceiling or floor of a given room, each system comes complete with a thermostat to choose the right temperature for each room in your house in use. If occupants turn the heat on and off as they enter and exit rooms in use, utility bills will inevitably decrease. Pros in the radiant heat business state this is the perfect solution to reducing energy consumption in unused rooms and saving up to 30 percent on heating and electric costs.

In addition, if electric rates vary by time of day, you can save money by setting the clock thermostat to heat the slab during off-peak hours when electric rates are lowest.

At that point, the preheated floor can warm the house through high-cost, high-peek hours to maintain comfortable temperatures without using too much additional energy.

With low-voltage systems utilizing Zmesh technology, simple under-floor mats or cables, electric radiant heat occupies no visible space. As opposed to hydronic heating systems where water is heated by a boiler or water heater and pumped through tubes underneath the floor, an electric system is much easier to install and less expensive to operate and zone.

The lower installation costs of electric radiant heat help offset high fuel costs, lower the otherwise impending costs of supplemental energy and there are additional savings from forgetting the hassle of heaving inefficient or leaky ductwork.

More specifically, electric mats are similar to electric blankets, made up of loops of cable embedded in a fabric that often looks mesh-like. They come in a range of standard sizes and are easy to install based on their thin exterior.

On the other hand, Zmesh heating systems, measured at barely 1/16 of an inch, are basically a bronze, electrically conductive screens. Such an element usually measures 12 inches wide and comes in lengths from 50 to 350 feet. Installation is a simple process of retrofitting the Zmesh to an existing floor or building it into newly constructed homes.

When looking for the right electric radiant heat system, a short delivery time, easy to understand installation directions and simple electrical connections are important to keep in mind.