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| | | For radiant floor heating, either flexible plastic hot-water tubing or electric cables/mats are installed beneath the flooring -- best done in new construction, as part of a major remodel when the floors will be torn up anyway or in small areas (kitchen, bath) of an existing home. Unlike forced-air heating there's no ductwork and no air blowers. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Expect to pay anywhere from $6 -$15 a square foot to professionally install a hydronic (hot water) radiant floor heating system; that's $9,000 -$22,500 for a 1,500 square foot home, depending on the number of temperature zones and the overall size of the system. New construction tends to be the least expensive, while tearing up and replacing floors in an existing home costs the most. Popular Mechanics estimates that professionally installing a hydronic floor system in a 2,000-square-foot ranch house averages $10,000 -$14,000 (without air conditioning).
- Because of the high cost of electricity, electric radiant floor heat is typically installed in one room rather than an entire house; an average-size bathroom runs about $400 -$700 for a thin electric mat installed in thinset cement, controlled by a timer-thermostat.
- Radiant air heating systems are used in commercial buildings, but are generally not considered cost-effective for residential use.
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| What should be included: | - Hydronic systems use a boiler to heat water and a pump to circulate hot water through plastic pipes that conduct warmth to the surface of the floor. The Eugene Water & Electric Board in Oregon provides an overview of hydronic systems.
- Electric systems either use cables built into the floor (generally in new construction) or electrically conductive plastic mats mounted on the subfloor under a covering such as tile.
- The Oregon Department of Energy Conservation provides an overview of the pros and cons of all types of radiant floor heating systems.
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| Additional costs: | - If concrete is added to an existing floor when installing hot water radiant heat, you may need to reinforce the floor supports. The additional cost will depend on the amount of support needed, but if this is required be sure it's included in all cost estimates.
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| Discounts: | - Cut costs by installing radiant floor heat in just a small portion of your home, to supplement the existing heating system,
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| Shopping for radiant floor heating: | |
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Article updated November 2007 |
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