Radiant floors are a luxury that everyone wishes his or her house had so that the floors are never cold. Water and electric are the two main ways to heat floors and walls. Houzz says that you can even heat your bathroom mirror. Will installing radiant heating be a cost-effective solution for your home? Experts like those at Alair Homes Delta suggest doing your research before making a final decision.

The energy efficiency of your home should affect your choice

If you have a poorly insulated home that is hard to heat, then it may not be a wise idea to install radiant floor heating because it could cost more money in the end to heat it. Homes that have some energy-efficient features like new windows or foam insulation are possible candidates because the heat from the floors will not dissipate as fast as it would in a home with older doors and rolled insulation. People who have a home that is extremely insulated and has a high energy rating will take years to give the owner a great return on their investment.

Water or electric

Should you go with a water heating system for the floors, or is electric the better choice for your house? Water is excellent when you are building a new home, having a large remodel, or want to heat all of your floors. Electric floor heating is better when you just want to heat the bathroom or master suite. You could also use it to keep the kitchen floor warm. If you live in a snowy climate, then these kinds of floors are a welcome addition.

When radiant heating is something to pass on

When you own a second residence or a vacation home that you visit on your days off, the installation of radiant flooring will not give you much return on investment. Houzz says that it will take an entire weekend to get the floors heated to a comfortable level. In this case, radiant heating is not wise because it only costs you more money. People that live in relatively warm climates will also pay more in the long run for warm floors. Individuals with allergies, sensitive skin, and issues with dry air may want to avoid radiant floor heating because this kind of heat can cause more dust to build up on the ground. Allergies are often exacerbated with electric heating that needs to run on high all the time, as is the case in poorly insulated buildings.

Choosing to heat the floors in your home has many factors. Experts suggest that you consider everything including upfront costs, return on investment, energy savings, and your budget before you make a decision whether heated floors are right for your house. Another idea from professionals is to call a contractor that can give you a breakdown of the costs for materials and labor. One idea is to consider doing a small area outside of the bathtub or shower to give you a warm place to put your feet while drying off. Still, others use radiant heating to warm their shower walls. Sometimes, heating a small area is much more cost-efficient than doing an entire room, but the experts can give you a better idea of what would work best in your home.