These systems utilize electric cables or mats installed under the floor surface to generate heat.
They are straightforward in integrating into existing properties without needing extensive renovations.
Electric Radiant Floor Heating Systems
Electric radiant floor systems are also often preferred for smaller areas due to their ease of installation and the minimal disruption they cause.
Hydronic Radiant Floor Heating Systems (Hot Water Radiant Floor Heating Systems)
These systems circulate heated water through tubing laid beneath the floor.
The heat from the water is then transferred to the floor surface and rises evenly throughout the room.
Hot water floor heating systems are much more complex than electric systems.
Consequently, the installation process is much more disruptive and the upfront costs are usually significantly higher, often double the cost of installing an electrical system.
Choosing the Right Type of Floor Heating for Your Home
Okay, what’s the difference between having an electric or a water-based system in your home?
The old wisdom used to be that if you are just looking to install underfloor heating in a single room or just a couple of rooms or zones, you should go with an electric system.
On the other hand, if you want to install radiant floor heating throughout the entire property, particularly in new-build homes, you should opt for a hydronic system.
Nowadays, while these general principles are still applicable in some situations, things aren’t as set in stone as they once were.
Let’s consider the real-world implications as they play out with modern floor-heating systems.
Upfront Costs
Installing an electric system in an average 2,400-square-foot home will typically cost anywhere from $19,000 to $36,000 (including labour and materials).
For a hydronic floor system in the same home, you can expect to pay at least $25,000 to $48,000.
Depending on what type of wet system you choose, this figure could rise above $60,000.
Running Costs
Generally speaking, the running costs of an electric system are higher than hydronic systems.
This is because most hydronic systems are heated by natural gas via a boiler or furnace which is cheaper per unit of heat than electricity.
The costs of running a hydronic system can be lowered even further if you heat them via an air-source or ground-source heat pump.
Installation
As mentioned earlier the installation process is much simpler, quicker, and less disruptive with electrical radiant floor heating.
With electric mats you simply have to staple them to the underfloor, install or replace the flooring, and plug them in – it’s as simple as that.
With electric cables, the process is a bit more involved as it requires laying a specialized subfloor into which you then lay the cables.
But again, it’s no big thing and most people can do it.
Water-based systems are a whole different ball game. Not only do you have to deal with much larger piping systems and plumbing which means raising the floor level significantly, but you also have to figure out how to connect it to the heat source, which often means finding space for a new condensing combination boiler.
While professional installation is always our recommendation, a competent DIY enthusiast should be able to install an electric floor heating system on their own without too many problems.
Given the complexity of the design and components, wet systems should only be installed by professional contractors, plumbers, and electricians.
Maintenance
The next thing to consider when choosing the right floor heating system is how much time you want to spend maintaining, and even repairing it.
While hydronic systems are effective at heating, though not necessarily any better than electric systems, they are also much more complex.
These systems have many different components and moving parts, and over time, mechanical systems will break down. Pipes leak, components fail, bearings break…
To prevent this from happening you will need to regularly service your hydronic system just as you do your car.
Electric systems, on the other hand, have no components or moving parts and do not require any maintenance.
These systems typically last for at least 20-30 years without any problems. And, on the rare occasion there is a problem – say with some wiring, it’s an easy task to locate the problem and replace the mat or cable.
