The costs of owning a home amid inflation and rising utilities have driven more homeowners to invest in residential solar. Solar panel adoption has increased 33% over the past decade in the United States, with the market further expanding toward water heaters and other home features.
Today, solar energy can do more than turn the lights on and keep the refrigerator running — it can also power your radiant floor heating system.
Promoting Sustainability With Radiant Floor Heating
Green features are a rising trend in U.S. homes and buyers are enthusiastic. According to the National Association of Realtors, 51% of buyers are interested in sustainability, while 63% of real estate agents find green features valuable in home listings.
Engineered hardwood floors — such as those made from bamboo — are one of the most favored sustainable features homeowners and buyers want. Bamboo is becoming increasingly popular in construction due to being more durable than concrete and replenishing quickly.
However, despite their strength and easy maintenance, these floors cannot retain heat as efficiently as other flooring materials. That means you can expect a chill down your spine the first time you step down in the winter.
Fortunately, if you are building new construction or renovating your current home, engineered hardwood floors are excellent candidates for radiant floor heating. For homes that use solar power — either with a panel system or water heater — radiant floor heating is energy efficient, too.
How Does Solar-Powered Radiant Floor Heating Work?
There are several benefits of radiant floor heating if you are interested in a sustainable home. For one thing, radiant heating reduces air duct losses and decreases indoor allergen distribution — fewer drafts mean less heat consumption.
Hydronic systems, especially, are best for homes that use alternative power sources. Say your house employs a solar boiler to heat water. The solar-powered boiler absorbs energy from the sun and pumps hot water through tubing beneath the floorboards of your home. Homeowners in colder climates will find hydronic radiant floor heating is the most cost-effective and energy-efficient way to warm their floors.
However, if homeowners plan to install hydronic radiant heating under hardwood floor coverings, it is essential to remember the wood can shrink and crack from being overheated and dried out. Always select a hardwood floor with a protective coating to maintain its form.
Cost of Radiant Floor Heating
The costs to install radiant floor heating varies according to how many zones you want to heat. Adding a system to an entire 2,000-square-foot home could run upwards of $20,000 to $35,000 — most homeowners choose to install it in individual rooms, though.
Solar radiant floors come at a steep price, between $18 to $25 per square foot. However, using a solar-powered water heater for radiant hydronic floors may lower the costs to $6 to $20.
Understanding the price of radiant floor heating is more than deciding what type of heating system you want. It is essential to factor in installation fees, floor coverings, how large the space is and where you would like to install the floors in your home. For instance, you will pay less to install radiant floor heating in your bedroom or living room than in the foyer by the door.
Things to Consider Before Choosing Radiant Floor Heating
The upfront costs of installing radiant floor heating in your home are high, so it may be best to view them as an investment. If you choose a hydronic system powered by a solar boiler, you might also need a few plumbing upgrades for it to work.
Of course, the installation might be best left to the pros unless you are handy. You can also expect this project to take a few days to complete. Installing radiant heating will likely have to be done in parts.
Radiant floor heating also raises your floor levels because the mechanism has to fit underneath. Although the new height will only be slight, it will still be somewhat noticeable.
A Greener Home With Solar-Powered Radiant Floors
Radiant floor heating is an appealing energy-efficient feature you can power using solar energy. Whether drawing energy from your rooftop panels or a solar-powered water heater, you can wake up to warm floors under your feet.
