How To Install Radiant Floor Heating This Old House

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 to install radiant floor heating this old house.

Fasten aluminum transfer plates to underside of subfloor with inch long self tapping screws. If you re installing radiant floor heat in an existing room you ll need a dedicated 15 to 20 amp gfci protected circuit to power the system and an excuse to lay a new tile floor. In this video this old house plumbing and heating contractor richard trethewey explains how to install electric radiant heating. Retrofit radiant heat into your home or for new construction duration.

Remove any insulation from between the floor joists located directly below the room you plan to heat. 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. If you re remodeling it s a good time to satisfy both requirements. It s comfortable quiet and energy efficient.

After preparing the subfloor for tile use a trowel to spread thinset mortar onto the tile backerboard. Start by having a licensed electrician test the radiant heat mat to ensure it s working properly. Radiant floor heating is probably the best way to heat up any space. Install two plates per joist bay.

Hydronic floor heating systems use hot water pumped through plastic tubing laid out in a serpentine pattern to heat the floor. That s the appeal of radiant floor heating says this old house plumbing and heating expert richard. Use end nippers to snip off any nails protruding from subfloor within the joist bays. How well does radiant floor heat work.