Radiant Floor Heat - Hydronic Heat

A popular form of radiant floor heat is hydronic. With this type of radiant floor heating system, water goes back and forth in tubing that is underneath the floor. Because it is usually incased in some form of concrete, hydronic floor heat is usually only installed in new homes. It is often too expensive and too difficult to put in existing homes.

The main advantage of a hydronic radiant floor heat system is that you can use many kinds of sources to heat the water. Gas, electricity, solar, geothermal, and a wood boiler are all possible methods of heating the water. This gives you flexibility if you need it.

A second advantage of hydronic heat floors is that water retains its heat much longer than electric wires. Hydronic radient floor heat works well under almost any type of floor surface and will usually be cheaper than using an electric system because of this warmth retention.

Modern technology has helped devise materials such as polybutylene or synthetic rubber tubing that is very safe and durable. Long gone are the days where hydronic radiant floor heat caused homeowners endless nightmares because the water leaked from the pipes or tubing.