Save money and keep your toes warm with this energy-efficient heating system
Floor radiant heating systems warm your home using electrical cables or hot water coils underneath your floors, relying on natural heat circulation for efficient comfort.
Expect to pay $1,700 to $6,000 for professional installation, though basic electric systems in one room can cost just a few hundred dollars.
Your system choice depends on priorities like cost savings, floor height restrictions, and whether you prefer hydronic or electric heating for your space.
Hiring a local heating and air conditioning professional simplifies system selection and installation, ensuring proper insulation and layout for safe, reliable performance.
There's a lot to like about radiant floor heating systems for your home, especially if you suffer from allergies or don't like walking on cold floors in the winter. Add in the fact that floor heating systems under hardwood or ceramic tile can actually lower your energy bills, and you might be sold.
“If you are a builder or a remodeler or a flipper, your investment in this will not only return your investment, but give you a profit,” says Bob Tschudi, Angi Expert Review Board member and general contractor in Raleigh, NC. “Buyers are not only purchasing a house but they are buying an experience, and heated floors are an amazing experience.”
Learn more about how radiant heat works, the benefits of this type of system, and whether you should install electric or hydronic systems in your home below.
Radiant floor heating heats your house using electrical cables or hot water coils that run underneath your floor. This technique relies on hot air naturally rising and circulating from the floors (a process known as convection) to warm your home and the people in it.
Both water and electricity are far more efficient at transporting heat into a room than air. Among the benefits of installing radiant heat, homeowners stand to save on heating costs.
Very quiet
Energy efficient (lower energy bills)
Warms your home evenly (fewer cold spots and drafty rooms)
Keeps feet warm on tiles and hardwood
Fewer allergens in the air due to less dust circulating
Could potentially install radiant floors yourself
May be expensive to install
Could elevate your floor height by half an inch or more
If you value warm floors and consistent temperatures (as well as peace and quiet) in your home, then yes, radiant floor heating systems are well worth the price tag. Considering you'll actually save on energy costs is a benefit that could easily justify the cost.
Those wondering how much radiant floor heating costs may be nervous, at least initially, at the steep price tag for installation. On average, you should expect to pay a local heating and cooling specialist between $1,700 and $6,000 for radiant floor heating across your home.
But if you're just installing basic electric radiant floor heating in one room or a small area of your house, it might only cost a couple hundred dollars.
Besides hydronic and electric radiant floor heating, other systems use similar processes to heat your home.
Examples include:
Geothermal in-floor heating
Solar radiant heating
Propane underfloor heating
You may be wondering if these, or other home improvement projects such as heated driveways, are worth the cost, too. Geothermal and solar radiant heating costs are, on average, much more expensive—either project could easily exceed $20,000.
Yes, so long as your radiant floor heating system is insulated. PEX insulation (dense plastic) and foam are both easy to install and require little to no maintenance.
In fact, radiant floor heating can make your home safer by removing potential health issues (like allergies) that vents and other blown air heating systems exacerbate. If you or a family member is allergic to dust, radiant floor heating could make living in your home much more comfortable.
If you're strictly in the business of saving money, hydronic floors are the best option. Both projects cost about the same to install and are equally effective, and heating costs are much lower with hot water.
However, hot water systems offer slightly less flexibility in terms of layout and must be embedded in plywood subfloor panels, which could increase the floor height by an inch or more. This might not be ideal in rooms or areas where the ceiling is already low.
Electric radiant floor heating is relatively thin and may only add a half-inch or so to your floor height.
A local HVAC specialist can help you decide which system is best for your home.
Great company! Price was competitive, technician showed up on time and completed the job (exterior electric Radon fan replacement) quickly. Would hire them again.
MaGen Property Inspections and Radon MitigationAs usual with ECO, tech Jordan was outstanding, very professional, very knowledgeable, and very thorough with repairs made to tankless water heaters. Very highly recommend ECO!!!
Eco Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC TechniciansRaven and crew does absolutely fantastic job. They are very professional if any concerns were to occur with any of her work she always took responsibility and finished out with a great job. I have worked with her business for a year and have always been satisfied. Very trusted business and...
Creations of Transformation LLCI would recommend this company to anyone! He showed up on time, was friendly, completed a very difficult repair on our dryer vent cover, was responsive, and pricing was extremely fair and competitive. I would have him back to do any of our repairs or cleanings without hesitation!
U.S.A. Dryer Vent, LLCAce Fireplace Services' chimney sweep service is truly exceptional. They used advanced technology to ensure a thorough cleaning process, and my chimney has never looked better. I highly recommend their services.
Ace Fireplace ServicesThe technician was very professional and friendly. He answered all my questions and was very thorough. He left the fireplace area very clean . He inspected from the roof and advised me as to other work that might need to be done. There was no pressure there. I was very satisfied with the...
Supreme brick & chimneyExcellent experience with hiring Tether House to Mount our 77’ Samsung TV in our bedroom. Fast, friendly, and knowledgeable. Highly recommend.
Tether HouseOn time, clean and finished fast. Windows seem sturdy and the finish is good. Caulking was done with no smudges. Would recommend.
Window Depot USA of Central OhioGreat job...edging and pre clean up went well with a great job with seal coat. Friendly, efficient and professional.
All Star Paving and SealingGood workers and they do a good job.
Mira ConstructionFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Warm floors, warm feet. Learn how much radiant heated floor costs, types of radiant floor heating systems, and pros and cons.
Get expert insights on radiant heating repair cost, including average prices, cost factors, and ways to save. Learn what impacts your radiant heating repair bill.
Discover the cost to install a heated bathroom floor. Learn about installation prices, cost factors, and tips to save on your heated bathroom floor project.
This guide goes over the pros and cons of radiant floor heating, an energy-efficient alternative to traditional radiators and forced air heating systems.
Find out how to hire a qualified radiant floor heating installer. Learn about costs, credentials, and questions to ask for a warm, efficient home.
Cold feet may have you contemplating radiant floor heating as part of your bathroom remodel. Learn the pros, cons, and cost of installing heated floors.
