First of all, radiant floor heating comes in two varieties - either an electric heating cable is set into the mortar under a tile floor, or there is a piping system through which hot water travels, heating the floor and objects above.
In regards to cost, a radiant floor heating system is going to be more expensive at the outset. For one thing, you have a higher labor cost, because it has to be installed as part of the flooring system, and followed by a tile or other flooring installation. But as an offset to that cost, a radiant floor system tend to run 20 to 40 percent more efficiently than a standard forced air furnace, and it does add to the resale value of your home. For most people when you consider the added comfort provided, those benefits outweigh the initial expense.
Yes, you can still use air conditioning with radiant floor heat, and the two work quite well together. Radiant floor heating can be used to heat the whole house, or just a few selected floors, often the master bath and bedroom.
Installation is typically a two-person job. Be sure to use a contractor who is not only familiar with installation procedures, but has actually performed several successful installations. Because Radiant Floors are less common, it's worth checking to make sure your contractor has experience with these. All QualitySmith Contractors have the experience and customer recommendations needed to pass QualitySmith standards.
Tags: Radiant Floor Heat, central heating and air, forced air furnace prices
