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I am in the process of designing a home. The home will be built on a lot in Chapel Hill (outside of town limits). I am trying to assess if radiant heating systems are common in the Triangle area (Info on radiant heat -> Radiant Heating | Department of Energy)
I would like to hear from home owners in the Triangle area who have radiant heat flooring systems installed in their homes. Specifically, I would like to know (1) What type of radiant heat system is installed in the home (2) What has been the overall experience (3) Has it provided any savings when compared with typical forced air heating systems
I don't have radiant heat but I can say that from the variety of homes across price ranges all over the Triangle that I've shown - it's not common at all. I'd dare say less than 1%. Of course, once you install it, maybe you never want to sell that house!
I sold a custom built home in Durham, years ago, that had tile on the entire first floor with radiant heat. It wasn't a very expensive home.
I showed a house in Chapel Hill that SAID it had radiant heat but the tenant said it did not. My clients did not like the layout of the house but it did sell.
I sold a home in Heritage that had a bathroom with radiant heat tile floors.
Like Bo said, it isn't very prevelant but there are some out there. Not sure you'll get your money back when/if you sell but if it is something you want, I don't think it will hurt re sale unless you choose some really ugly tile (that was the case in the Durham house).
Radiant heat can also be placed under wood flooring. I LOVE it, feels great on bare feet, the room is comfortable, and the air doesn't become so dry that your nose bleeds.
While it is a very pleasant and efficient heating method, radiant floor heat for an entire home here is uncommon.
Forced air heat dominates, since you can use the same delivery system for cooling the home.
To install radiant floor heating and also to install a central AC system creates redundant expense, most people will just proceed with forced air HVAC systems.
On a smaller scale, I installed radiant mats under the tiles in my master bath. We like it so much that we'd seriously consider it for the whole house should we ever build again. The warmth is so much better than forced air. We used the electric mats.
On a smaller scale, I installed radiant mats under the tiles in my master bath. We like it so much that we'd seriously consider it for the whole house should we ever build again. The warmth is so much better than forced air. We used the electric mats.
We have under tile electric radiant mats in our master bath too. Since our master is over an unheated space the mats are the only way to go in that application. There is something luxurious about walking barefoot across a heated floor.
Most whole house radiant floor heating systems actually use hydronic (water) based systems as it usually is more cost effective to operate (electric mats are as energy efficient as the strip heaters in your heat pump air handler) . As mentioned, hydronic systems are not very popular in this area.
Thanks to all for your responses..
west seattle gal - That was my primary reason to consider radiant heating.. Have you had any issues with wood warping?
C_Lan & frankpc - Would you consider installing the radiant mats throughout the house?
Thanks to all for your responses..
west seattle gal - That was my primary reason to consider radiant heating.. Have you had any issues with wood warping?
C_Lan & frankpc - Would you consider installing the radiant mats throughout the house?
Thanks
Nope. Assuming you mean electric radiant mats. Too expensive to install and operate for large areas. A whole house radiant/hydronic floor would be more cost effective but still a bit of a one off. I would have to convince myself that adequate support was available.
My wifes parents built a house in rural VA that has the heated floors. Feels weird, I suppose you'd have to get used to them. Personally, I say that as long as you understand that you are purchasing that option as something to personally enjoy, and are not necessarily concerned with trying to get your money back in future sales, nothing should hold you back from getting what you want.
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