The concept behind hydronic radiant heating reads like part science fiction, part wish list fulfillment for anyone that’s ever dreamed of a better, cheaper, and more energy efficient way of heating their home. Imagine being able to use hot water instead of hot air to heat your home. And, imagine heat coming from the very floor itself to create warmth rather than relying on heater vents in your floors and ceilings.
Such is the capability of hydronic radiant heating. Water that’s been heated by a boiler runs through plastic water pipes inside a slab of concrete, radiating heat upwards. You can use this technology under virtually any type of flooring, including wood and carpet. The resulting “radiating” effect means that you can stay warm even if there’s a window open in winter.
Health Benefits
As it turns out, having a hydronic heating system installed in your home could also be beneficial for your health. Skeptical? Think about it. Traditional heating systems move the air in your home around. This causes dust, dirt, and germs to circulate. Essentially, this is how a lot of people get sick, especially those who are more susceptible to allergens.
Those who are sensitive to these materials can also have respiratory ailments, such as asthma, that become exacerbated when relying on regular vented heating systems. But, when heat is radiated upwards from the floor, nothing gets kicked up into the air. That means less dust, dirt, and germs that can impact your health.
Savings vs. Costs
Hydronic radiant heating has been shown to cut energy consumption by between 20 and 40 percent. These savings are substantial! The only downfall is the fact that installing a new system could run you upwards of $13,000 (lower estimates are closer to $7,000).
Eventually it will pay off but this is a sizable outlay in costs. So, this means that if you want to eventually see a return on your investment, you shouldn’t install a hydronic system unless you’re planning on remaining in your home for quite awhile.
Green Reasons
Needless to say, money isn’t everything. There are environmental reasons to do whatever is in your power to limit your carbon footprint and cut back on your consumption of energy.
Because these systems provide better heating coverage with less effort, you are going a long way in terms of saving on inefficient heating processes. A hydronic radiant heating system helps accomplish this by having the versatility to be powered by electricity, gas, or solar sources.
Silent Night

Winter may be fast approaching, but there’s still plenty of autumn left for you to get busy shopping around to find the best hydronic heating system. There’ll be more to come about hydronic radiant heating in the near future. In the meantime, if you want more information, post your comments or questions below. We’d love to hear from you and provide the answers you are searching for.