How To Install Radiant Floor Heating This Old House

Remove any insulation from between the floor joists located directly below the room you plan to heat.

How to install radiant floor heating this old house.

It s comfortable quiet and energy efficient. Although electric radiant heat is a popular choice for small projects retiling a bathroom say hydronic or water based radiant provides the ultimate in efficiency for bigger projects or an extensive remodel. How well does radiant floor heat work. Hydronic floor heating systems use hot water pumped through plastic tubing laid out in a serpentine pattern to heat the floor.

They re ideal for whole house heating but professionals suggest installing them during the home s construction because they can be difficult to retrofit if the home isn t already outfitted with the proper equipment. Radiant floor heating is probably the best way to heat up any space. A bathroom size warm floor retrofit will cost 400 to 700 including the cost of the new tile. Retrofit radiant heat into your home or for new construction duration.

Use end nippers to snip off any nails protruding from subfloor within the joist bays. This old house plumbing and heating expert richard trethewey helps guide you through two types of heated floors in terms of cost installation and energy efficiency to select the right one for your house. Start by having a licensed electrician test the radiant heat mat to ensure it s working properly. Fasten aluminum transfer plates to underside of subfloor with inch long self tapping screws.

In this video this old house plumbing and heating contractor richard trethewey explains how to install electric radiant heating. Installing radiant heat between joists. Install two plates per joist bay. After preparing the subfloor for tile use a trowel to spread thinset mortar onto the tile backerboard.