Homeowners and builders should carefully weigh the pros and cons of radiant heating when determining if it’s an efficient and economical option for their space. Radiant floor heating, which can be installed in new constructions or as part of a home renovation, uses tubes placed beneath the flooring to heat specific rooms or the entire house.
What Is Radiant Heating?
Radiant heating has been used throughout history as an effective and efficient way to heat living spaces and bathrooms. Today, modern systems use electricity or hot water. Electric radiant heating, while less efficient than hot water systems, is affordable and easy to install, making it a popular choice for many homeowners across North America. Electric systems can be installed in both exterior and interior spaces.
Hydronic radiant heating systems circulate hot water through plastic tubing, with heat radiating from the floor and rising into the room to provide consistent, uniform warmth. Dry systems are installed on the subfloor beneath hardwood or engineered wood flooring, with insulation and metal reflectors placed beneath the tubing to direct heat upwards. Wet systems, typically inlaid in concrete floor slabs, are ideal for new constructions or large-scale renovations.
Pros of Radiant Heating for Your Wood Floor
Radiant heating works well with wood floors, enhancing the natural comfort and texture they provide. As a non-invasive system, it gently warms the space without drying out the air. Unlike forced air systems, which can aggravate allergies, radiant heating reduces the circulation of dust and pollen throughout your home.
This heating system can be designed for maximum efficiency by concentrating heat in high-traffic areas such as the kitchen, bathroom, and living room. For other spaces like bedrooms, a supplementary system (typically forced air or electric heating) can be used only when needed, often leading to significant savings on heating bills.
Hydronic systems can also be customized with specific zones, allowing you to heat different areas of your home at different times and temperatures. To design the ideal system for your home, it’s important to hire an experienced contractor who can consider factors like boiler size, floor plan, and your lifestyle.
Cons of Radiant Heating
If you opt for a hydronic radiant heating system, you’ll need to invest in a boiler. However, this system can save you money compared to oil, propane, electric, and even natural gas heating, depending on energy prices.
Installation has specific requirements: your rooms must have sufficient height to accommodate the tubing, which sits between the subfloor and hardwood flooring. Spacers support the flooring, but this may necessitate extensive renovations in some homes. Wet systems are cost-effective for new builds, but adding a concrete slab in existing homes can be prohibitively expensive.
When installed correctly, radiant heating systems will not damage your flooring and will provide comfortable, efficient, and cost-effective warmth. To ensure optimal performance, consult with your flooring retailer about selecting high-quality hardwood or engineered wood flooring that will support your radiant heating system for years to come.