Cross-section of a two-story house showing bedrooms, living room, and bathroom with interior furniture and appliances.

Traditional Heating in Europe

Traditionally, in the colder parts of Europe, people installed masonry wood stoves called Kachelofen, German for masonry stove. These stoves were located in the center of the house on the first floor and omitted heat to the rest of the house. Because there were no means of insulating the exterior walls, the warmth was mainly experienced near the stove. Older Europeans have fond memories of sitting on the masonry stove on colder winter nights and sharing stories.

A central gray square with eight orange arrows pointing outward in all directions.

What is Zoned Heating?

With zoned heating, homeowners are able to keep busy rooms at a more comfortable temperature and rooms used less, or for different purposes, at a lower temperature. Basements, storage spaces, and bedrooms can be kept at a lower temperature, while the kitchen, family room, and living room can be kept at a more comfortable temperature. This is a great way to save on heating and cooling costs.


A stone oven with a pink door, surrounded by pottery jars on patio stones, and greenery in background.
A corner of a cozy room with a brown tiled wall, wooden furniture, and decorative items on top.

Traditional Heating in Japan

In old Japan, houses had even thinner walls and were less insulated. Traditionally, farmhouses in Japan had open fires in a sunken hearth right in the center of the house, also known as Irori. Houses were designed so that the smoke from the fire would rise up into the underside of the roof and would escape through a vent. As in Europe, the warmth was only experienced right near the sunken hearth and provided a popular gathering place for all family members. Older generation Japanese people have many fond memories sitting around the fire and listening to stories being told by their relatives and friends.

A man in traditional Japanese attire is sitting on the floor, using a tool to stoke a fire inside a large, rectangular iron furnace, with a kettle hanging over it and traditional woven cushions around him in a historical Japanese room.

We have taken the idea of traditional heating and applied it to a well-insulated modern home. The goal was to create an area where people could warm up and feel comfortable. We've used an electrical radiant floor heating system and installed it on an insulation foam board. The heat wire was embedded into a self-leveling thin set. This floor heating system is controlled by a thermostat that can control the temperature of the floor surface or the room air temperature.

Two women sitting cross-legged on a rug in a traditional kitchen, having a discussion.
Room under renovation with heating floor installation, construction tools, and an unfinished wall with a thermostat.
Construction site showing a sunken floor with exposed subfloor and wooden framing, surrounded by construction tools and materials.

Heating in the Winter

In the winter, the table is equipped with a heavy blanket that keeps your legs and feet warm. This is known as “Kotatsu” in Japan and is still very popular today. The thermal image clearly shows the location of the heat. The floor surface can be heated up to 102° F. This room has become a popular gathering place, especially on cold winter days. It’s become a popular place to hang out, talk, and play games. Small children enjoy hiding under the table, watching videos on their iPhones.

A cozy sunlit room with a window seat and a wood table on a cloth covering a heating panel, showing winter heat distribution with a thermal image inset.
Bright room with large window seat, wooden window frames, and a low wooden table on a light hardwood floor.
Group of children having a meal around a low table in a cozy room with large windows and natural lighting. Some kids are sitting on the floor, others are sitting on a bench, and one child is playing with a tablet in the background. An inset shows a girl inside a small makeshift tent under a blanket.

This is not zoned heating as it’s known today, but it introduces an opportunity to save energy. Being able to sit on a warm and comfortable floor reduces the need for heat in rooms that are used less. As spring arrives, the blanket is removed, and the radiant floor heating gets turned off.


Floor plan with heatmap indicating central area

Soft seating pillows are placed on the floor. In Western culture, we are not accustomed to sitting on the floor cross-legged. But ancient yoga traditions and modern medical science teach the benefits of having your legs closer to your heart, therefore improving circulation.

Living room with large front window, wooden accents, a seating nook with pillows, and a dining area with sliding glass doors leading outside.
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