Air-heated radiant floors are uncommon. The ductwork makes air-heated floors less cost-effective than electric and hydronic radiant floors.

Hydronic heating is compatible with a wide variety of flooring. Options include laminate, hardwood, concrete, and even carpet.

Electric radiant flooring is a good choice for retrofit applications or existing homes. Many HVAC professionals connect the wires to plastic mats, cutting the installation time.

Electric heating averages $11 per square foot. The average daily energy cost of operating 100 square feet ranges $1-5. Hydronic heating is less expensive than electricity.

A radiant heating system transfers heat directly through the walls, floors, or ceiling of a room. The warm air rises through a process called convection, delivering heat to the entire room.

Electric radiant floors use a network of electric wires. The wires are installed beneath flooring with a wide surface area and strong heat transfer, such as ceramic tile.

Hydronic floor heating costs $13 per square foot, on average. Water is a strong conductor of heat, so hydronic heating has lower operating costs than electric floor heating.

Radiant wall panels are a great option for a retrofit in an existing home. The installation is less time-consuming and expensive than radiant floor heating.

Electric radiant flooring is often used as supplemental heat for bathrooms and other small rooms. Whole-home applications are uncommon, since electric heating is less cost-effective than hydronic heating.

Radiant heating panels are more affordable than wires or tubes at $50-60 per square foot. Panels usually measure 2’ x 2’ or 2’ x 6’.

We recommend leaving installation to an experienced professional. Tearing down drywall and ripping up flooring are major structural changes to the home.

Time isn’t the only investment when installing radiant heating. High labor fees can make radiant heating systems expensive up-front. However, the energy savings may make it worthwhile.

Many professionals attach the electric cables to a set of plastic mats. Single-room installations can be completed within hours, but the new flooring may take a few days to dry.

Most rooms need one to two wall or ceiling panels. The total cost, including labor and materials, ranges $300-1,400 per room.

Usually, it takes 8-16 hours to lay down 1,000 square feet of tubing. New home installation is at the lower end of that range, and retrofits can take longer.

Hydronic ceiling heaters can double as cooling systems when outdoor temperatures rise. Just supply cool water to the tubes. Warm indoor air will rise, make contact with the cool ceiling, and fall down as cool air.

Hydronic heating requires a plumber to connect the water tubes to the heat source. The installer needs access to the ceiling underneath each radiant-heated floor. In unfinished homes, this is an easy process. If you’re retrofitting, the installer may need to tear down drywall.

Air-heated radiant floors use ductwork installed beneath the floor. Hot air passes through the duct. A slab of concrete, located between the ducts and flooring, conducts the heat. As the air rises, the room gradually warms.

Due to the invasive and costly installation, hydronic heating pipes are usually installed in newly built homes. Still, retrofit application is feasible and safe.

Thick radiant heating panels can make the wall jut outward. To minimize any changes in wall depth, look for panels less than an inch thick.

Hydronic radiant floors are used for whole-home radiant heating. The temperature can be controlled separately from room to room for convenient zoned heating.

The water source adds to the total cost of hydronic heating. A water heater unit costs $300-$2,000, with installation ranging $770-1,450. A standard boiler unit starts around $3,000, and installation averages $3,500-7,700.

In this piece, we’ll discuss the different types of modern radiant heating systems, their pros and cons, and the cost of installation.

Radiant heating panels are slabs lined with electric wires or hydronic tubes. The panels are installed in the lower 4 feet of the wall.

Radiant heating systems are a significant time investment. Floor and retrofit applications can be invasive, requiring 16+ labor hours.

Before nailing art or mirrors to a finished wall, confirm the location of the panels with your HVAC professional. Panels are usually installed in the lower 4 feet of the wall, but it may vary.

Radiant heating systems rely on a range of heat sources from water heaters to solar-powered boilers. Some varieties can double as cooling systems in summer.