Imagine stepping on a warm, gentle floor that won’t harbor dust mites or mold, and save money on your heating bill. There’s no denying that radiant heat floor systems have huge advantages, but there are some basics you may want to consider before you start installing.
From the type of heated floor to the cost you expect to install, our overview will help you decide if that floor is right for your home. Read on to learn more about the installation, timeline, and application of the system.
Are There Different Types of Heated Floors?
There are two main types of radiant floors: liquid circulating heating and electric heating. Hydraulic flooring systems use hot water pipes to dissipate heat, while electrical systems use jagged loops of wires.
Liquid circulating heating systems typically have higher upfront costs but lower operating costs. You can save more initial costs by using the power system, but you may pay more over time to use the power system. Aside from the cost factor, once the flooring is installed, you may not notice the difference between the two.
What Is the Best Room to Install a Heated Floor?
Kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms tend to be the best spaces for heated floors. Since underfloor heating works from scratch, it can also provide a more even heat distribution in spaces with higher ceilings.
What Flooring Materials Can I Use?
Ceramic and stone bricks, wood, laminate, vinyl, rubber, and carpet are all acceptable options for top floor coverings for radiant heat systems. However, it’s a good idea to check the manufacturer’s recommendations to make sure you’re choosing the right one. For example, some carpets with thicker pile may be too insulating and trap heat under the floor instead of dissipating it into your space.
What Is the Average Cost?
There are two costs associated with heating floors. The first major cost is the installation fee: this is what you pay upfront for the installation of the actual flooring. The second cost to consider is what you will need to pay to run the system on a daily basis.
The average cost of installing a heated floor depends on whether you are installing a hydraulic or electrical radiant floor. Hydraulic systems cost $7 to $22 per square foot to run, while electric systems cost $8 to $15. Typically, you will pay more upfront for a liquid circulation heating system but save on day-to-day usage costs, whereas an electrical system is less expensive to install but more expensive for day-to-day operation.
The daily cost depends entirely on your location and power availability, and it costs about $1.50 to $7 per day to run the system.
Tip: A standard heated floor consumes about 12 watts of electricity per square foot per hour. To calculate the cost of heating a room in your home, try the following:
[1] Multiply by 12 x space area = #A (wattage per hour used by the system)
[2] Convert #A to kilowatts (kW) by ÷ #A / 1,000 = #B (kW)
[3] Multiply #B by your utility’s kilowatt-hour (kWh) rate = #C (your total cost)
What Does the Installation Process Look Like?
Installing a radiant heat floor may sound like a daunting task, but you can do it yourself. We’ve put together a simple self-help guide, but if you don’t think it’s convenient for you, you might want to consider calling a professional.
If you’re doing the installation yourself, it’s critical to prepare the workspace and move the existing flooring to the subfloor if your installation requires it. Depending on your space, only certain jobs require the removal of existing flooring. Once you’ve done this, sweep your area clean before placing the electric heating pad or cable to make sure it’s free of clutter. You’ll also need to level the floor and connect the power supply to make room for the new floor.
Secure the heated floor mat to a clean, level floor and check the resistance using an ohmmeter. Once you’ve laid out the entire heating system, you’ll add actual flooring material on top, recheck the resistance, and connect the thermostat.
How Long Does It Take?
Typically, most heated floor installation projects take one to three days. However, your actual schedule will depend on the square footage of your space and its accessibility. It can take longer to do it yourself than to hire a professional, who can complete the project in a day or two.
What Skill Level Do I Need?
This job requires a moderate skill level. So, if you’re a DIY enthusiast working on this project independently, we only recommend it if you have some electrical experience. If not, you may need to consult with a certified electrician. Whichever path you choose, be honest about your skill level and abilities. If the system is not installed correctly, it can end up being costly, inefficient, or worse, not working at all.
Advantages of Radiant Heat Floors:
One of the main advantages of radiant heat flooring is the high level of energy efficiency it provides. Since the system releases heat into your space through underfloor heating (rather than through air), it heats your floor and room evenly at the same time. Unlike traditional forced-air heating systems that use vents, heated floor systems generate heat at the bottom of it that radiates to other parts of the space, objects, and people. This process also makes heating floors more cost-effective, as it offers a cheaper alternative to heating your home for hours at a time using less energy.
Heating the floor also doesn’t cause allergies, as its heat is able to continuously and quickly dry excess moisture and prevent mold, making it ideal for people with asthma or allergies. Plus, installing heated floors will also increase your resale value!
Disadvantages of Radiant Heat Floors
The upfront cost of installing this system can be expensive, especially if you need to cover a large area. Also, some parts of the floor can be difficult to reach, which makes installation a challenge. For many heated floor projects, your old floor will need to be pulled up, but if you can use joist brackets, you can install some retrofit mat systems under your existing floor. Additionally, installing heated floors will increase the floor height on top of the subfloor by about 1/2 inch, which can lead to uneven surfaces if you don’t install heated floors throughout your home.
The Bottom Line
It’s easy to install heated floors without thinking about it – after all, underfloor heating can improve the quality of your daily life tenfold. But it’s best to do this project only if you have the budget and skills to complete it. Also, if your home is new, you won’t be on site (especially if your old floors need to be removed) and you can make this upgrade stress-free, then this is a sound investment.