A Close Look at The Pros and Cons of Radiant Floor Heating
Underfloor systems are rising in popularity, particularly noteworthy systems such as radiant floor heating. With the use of a room’s objects, surfaces, and occupants, heat is often transmitted to objects rather than the air. Installation of radiant floor heating is not just an efficient and effective method of transmitting heat, but maintaining a healthier living environment for everyone inside. For this reasoning alone, radiant floor heating is a hot topic of discussion in the world of construction and real estate.
In this article, we will take a deep dive into the pros and cons of radiant floor heating to better help you decide if this feature is worth adding to your current or future home construction plans with some tips from the experts.
Pros of Radiant Floor Heating
Energy-Efficient and Comfortable Heating
A big pull to radiant floor heating systems is the ability to heat living spaces effectively while maintaining their trademark energy efficiency. Both types of radiant floor heating, electric and water-based, can provide properties with both comfortable warmth and luxury. More traditional heating methods, such as radiators, require being heated to a much higher temperature to properly provide adequate heat to the living space. This will depend on the flooring chosen for the living space and its thermal conductivity, which will determine the efficiency of this system, saving homeowners thousands on electricity costs.
Freedom with Design and Space
Tampa Buyers Agent Eve Alexander offers this advice, “A great factor that adds to the attractiveness of underfloor heating is the allowance for design that homeowners are afforded when planning out the living space. As these systems are located out of sight, there are plenty of flooring options that can easily accommodate this heating feature. Unlike bulky radiators, there are no unsightly objects in the visible space, rendering properties not only comfortable and warm but also easy on the eyes.”
Easy Maintenance and Installation
Radiant flooring is easy to install, even if it is part of a renovation. Due to the versatility of the systems, they make an excellent addition to a range of properties, even older buildings. Another perk? They are easy to both run and maintain. With automatic heating control or through a smart thermostat, radiant heating systems are ensured to meet every need without any hassle. The cherry on top? Radiant floor heating systems require very little maintenance throughout the lifespan of the system.
Cons of Radiant Floor Heating
Radiant Floor Heating Can Be Costly
Despite their energy efficiency, paying back over time, owning radiant floor heating systems can be somewhat costly at the outset. The cost is often estimated per square foot and will depend on the system chosen for the particular property. Apart from installation, the services of different professionals, including plumbers and electricians, are necessary. Cost and time for services provided by these professionals will depend on several different factors. Hydronic underfloor heating systems are more expensive than electrical variants.
Inconvenient Installation
When it comes down to the installation process, some steps have to be taken to ensure that the heating flooring is done correctly to avoid costly repairs down the road. To start, a self-leveling compound has to be applied on top of electrical heating systems beneath the floors, which have to be completely dry before the floor covering is put back down. This process can take up to two days and can be the cause of short-term inconvenience. Water-based systems will take longer, though it is not typically an issue when the installation takes place during the construction phase.
Bottom Line
Radiant flooring systems can be an expensive investment in the beginning, but the pros far outweigh the cons and inconveniences that come with it. Given the great energy efficiency, cost savings, and internal comfort provided by the underfloor heating solutions, buyers will gain more than what they paid for. The plus? Should you decide to sell your home down the road, radiant heated floors can be a great investment, bringing you more money to the table.
