Radiant heating delivers warmth differently than forced-air systems, offering unique comfort advantages. Here's what Bay Area homeowners should know.
How Radiant Heating Works
The Principle:
Radiant heat warms objects and people directly, rather than heating air. This is similar to how the sun warms you on a cool day.
Types of Radiant Heat:
Hydronic (Hot Water):
Tubing in floors carries hot water
Boiler heats the water
Most efficient radiant option
Best for whole-home heating
Electric:
Heating cables or mats in floor
Direct electric resistance heating
Lower installation cost
Higher operating cost
Better for spot heating
Radiant Panels:
Wall or ceiling mounted
Electric or hydronic
Supplemental heating
Advantages of Radiant Heat
Comfort:
Even, consistent warmth
Warm floors feel luxurious
No cold drafts
Quiet operation
Efficiency:
Lower thermostat settings feel warmer
No duct losses
Zoning natural with hydronic
Radiant doesn't heat unused air
Air Quality:
No air circulation to spread dust
No ductwork to accumulate debris
Better for allergy sufferers
No dry, heated air blowing
Design:
No vents or radiators
Complete furniture placement freedom
Works with any flooring
Invisible system
Disadvantages
Cost:
High installation cost (especially retrofit)
Hydronic requires boiler investment
Electric has high operating costs
Response Time:
Slow to heat up
Not ideal for intermittent use
Temperature changes take hours
Cooling:
Radiant heat doesn't cool
Need separate AC system
Radiant cooling exists but is rare
Retrofitting:
Very difficult in existing homes
Often requires floor replacement
Can raise floor heights
Bay Area Applications
Best Uses:
Bathroom Remodels:
Electric mats under tile provide warm floors affordably.
New Construction:
Hydronic systems make sense when building from scratch.
Additions:
New spaces can include radiant without disrupting existing home.
Garage Conversions:
Radiant solves heating in spaces without ducts.
Worst Uses:
Retrofit into existing slab
Primary heat for intermittent-use spaces
Where quick temperature changes needed
Cost Comparison
Installation (per sq ft):
Hydronic: $10-$20
Electric: $5-$10
Operating Costs:
Hydronic: Very efficient with modern boilers
Electric: 2-3x gas heating costs in California
For most Bay Area homes, radiant makes sense for specific applications (bathrooms, additions) rather than whole-home heating. Our mild climate doesn't fully utilize radiant's advantages.