
Water is a better conductor of heat, so a hydronic radiant heating system is more efficient.Įlectric radiant floor heating cost to operate is higher.

Hot water radiant floor heating operating cost is lower too because gas heat of all types is cheaper than electric heat. Hydronic heating is the most cost-effective and popular of the two options. Operating cost is a major factor to consider. This cost chart provides the total prices and cost per square foot for each floor heating system as well as some additional expenses.Įlectric and Hydronic Heating Operating Costs Costs are lowest in small towns and rural areas.Ĭost Chart and Additional Pricing Information Prices are higher on the East Coast, NE and NW than in large metropolitan areas of the Midwest and South.
#GEOTHERMAL FOR RADIANT FLOOR HEATING COST INSTALL#
For example, cost to install radiant floor heating would be closer to the $8.85 per square foot cost in a bathroom and closer to $5.80 per square foot large room or the entire home.
#GEOTHERMAL FOR RADIANT FLOOR HEATING COST PRO#
DIY or Pro Installation: We recommend having a professional install a boiler or handle wiring connection to the panel for an electric system.How much does radiant floor heating cost? Consider these issues as you put together a rough estimate of your cost to install radiant floor heating: This is especially problematic for electric radiant flooring because of the higher cost of electricity in most regions. These materials hold heat better than vinyl flooring and carpet over OSB or plywood, for example, which allow the heat to disperse much more rapidly.Īs a result, floor heating systems with soft floor coverings like carpet have much higher operating costs. Both radiant heating systems, hydronic and electric, are most cost-effective with concrete, tile and wood flooring. Note on Subsurface Types: Hydronic radiant floor heating cost to operate is lower when hard flooring is used. These cables can run directly through a layer of concrete or gypsum between the subfloor and the floor surface, or they are fastened to plastic or metal mats beneath the floor surface.Įlectric radiant flooring systems are regulated by a thermostat.

Because of this, an electric heating system does not require a boiler, but instead features charged cables (resistance wires coated in a water-resistant polymer) that conduct heat. Electric Radiant Floor HeatingĮlectric heating is what it sounds like: its source of power is electricity. This gives you the ability to reduce heating costs by heating occupied rooms and not those that are empty. Zoned systems use zoning valves that spread and manage the water flow from room to room.

Many boiler systems regulate the entire radiant floor heating system with the home’s programmable thermostat – and all areas receive the same amount of heat. The acceptable temperature range is determined by the type of flooring and the tubing material used. The boiler heats the water up to about 90 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit, which in turn warms the floor surface. The boiler in these systems heat the water and use a pump to circulate it through corrosion-resistant tubing, often PEX tubing, laid beneath the existing floor. Electric boilers are also available, though they have higher operating costs.

The heat source is a boiler fired by gas, oil or wood or a combination of fuels. There are two types of radiant heat systems discussed in this article: hydronic radiant heating and electric radiant heating. Types of Radiant Floor Heating Systems and How They Work Before You Buy a Radiant Heating System.Costs Chart and Additional Pricing Information.Types of Radiant Floor Heating Systems and How They Work.
