Radiant heating is a costly but ideal solution to your cold weather worries.

We took the time to lay out the costing details so you don't have to.

Factors Influencing Installation Costs

For every square foot, you have to pay about $6-$15 for its actual installation. The final cost is also affected by two factors: first, if the heating system is to be built into new construction or added to an existing home; second, the type of system – hydronic or electric – you choose. Hydronic radiant heating costs slightly less to operate but is more expensive to install. Radiant heat powered by electric wiring, on the other hand will give you higher operating costs in the future but it is simpler and cheaper to install.

Flooring Expenses

It’s not just the installation cost for the radiant heating system that you need to consider. You also have to factor in the cost of putting new flooring afterwards. The best type of flooring material for the system to work best can be either of the following; concrete, natural stone, ceramic or porcelain tile.

Hardwood, plastic laminate, synthetic carpeting, and linoleum can be problematic, especially if temperature is involved, which can affect the floor’s quality but more importantly, the ability of the radiant heating system to work at its optimum.

Difficulty Retrofitting

The actual cost of installation of radiant heating system is quite expensive which can be attributed to the difficulty involved in retrofitting. Since it goes under the floor, everything must be removed or taken off. This won’t be such a financial headache if you are already planning on replacing your current flooring on your existing home or if it is a new construction.

You have to eventually decide if it is worth tearing up a perfectly good floor just so you can have a radiant heating system fitted underneath it. If the answer is a resounding NO, installing radiant wall panels might be a better option for you.

Advantages of Radiant Floor Heating

After having a realistic set of information about the costs the radiant heating will entail and still deciding you would go for it, there are a number of good reasons why it’s worth the expensive bill.

• Because radiant heating warms from the lower part of the room upwards, there are no cold objects to draw heat from you and make you feel cold.
• Radiant heating is quiet, even, and comfortable – a desirable kind of heat to make your home a serene and happy place to dwell in.
• Radiant heating is less irritating to those who suffer from allergies and other respiratory problems.
• It is less drying to the home's atmosphere.
• It enables you to lower your thermostat, which saves energy and reduces your fuel bills.
• It is eco-friendly because of the decreased energy consumption.
• Other ‘green’ devices can be integrated with the radiant heating system.