How To Install Hydronic Systems Under Existing Floor

This is primarily used when the floor joists are exposed say in rooms over an unfinished basement or crawlspace.

How to install hydronic systems under existing floor.

The feet are always warmer than the head. In this case the tubing is run between and through the joists and anchored to the subfloor. If you can access your floor joists from below you can easily install energy efficient radiant heat under your existing floors. There are many different ways to install a residential hydronic heating system in your home.

The two most highly recommended options are retroheat and floorheat both systems are very affordable and allow you to install radiant heat to existing floors without extensive remodeling or tearing up existing floors. According to the this old house website the retrofit costs about 700 for a bathroom including the tile. In most situations hydronic water based systems are the most efficient. But that said even a wood floor will warm up and heat you and the room quite well.

Whether you are building a new custom home from the ground up or undergoing an extensive remodel hydronic systems can be installed in almost any situation. Another option for radiant floor heating that is energy efficient are systems that circulate hot water through small tubes under the floor. A hydronic floor is no less complicated than a zoned baseboard heat system. Install pex tubing before pouring a concrete slab for the home or install it when using plywood as a subfloor.

The following is a look at a few of the most common installation methods. Hydronic systems circulate heated water through pex tubing that winds under the floor. When you are installing wood floors over top of concrete the double layer two layers of 1 2 ply floating plywood method will be the best method. The first is in the floor itself the other under the subfloor between the joists.

Radiant floor heat stratifies the heat from the feet to the head. Radiant heat systems are easily hidden under a tile floor. The last system is the floor joist installation. Below are common hydronic installation methods.

A good compromise is to install the hydronic system right in a concrete slab and install the wood on the concrete. This is what feels naturally comfortable to our bodies. Hydronic systems can also be installed beneath floor joists. It uses a boiler heated by gas oil or electricity and requires valves and manifolds to distribute the water as well as sophisticated thermostats to control the heat.