About five years ago, my husband and I completely renovated our house.
- We needed to tear down the old plaster walls, insulate and bring the electrical and plumbing systems up to code.
Because of extensive water damage from a leaky roof, we also pulled out the ceilings and floors. Taking the house down to the bare studs was an extensive, messy and expensive project. However, it was also an opportunity to make significant improvements. The weather in South Bend, Indiana, can be brutal. The winters are cold and snowy, with temperatures frequently in the teens. A powerful, safe and energy efficient heating system is crucial. A tightly sealed thermal envelope is necessary to avoid energy waste and keep costs reasonable. Along with insulating the home, we replaced windows, caulked and weatherstripped. We made the decision to install radiant floor heating. We already had a boiler heating system that was originally linked to radiators. Removing the radiators and implementing radiant flooring freed up valuable living space and significantly improved aesthetics. The equipment is now entirely concealed beneath our brand new hardwood floors. The boiler heats up water and sends it through a network of pipes. The heat from the pipes spreads across the floor and radiates into the air. The temperature from floor to ceiling and wall to wall is wonderfully consistent. There are no drafts, hold spots or stratification. Walking on a warm floor in the middle of January is a wonderful luxury. We’re able to set much lower thermostat settings and still feel perfectly comfortable. One of the biggest benefits of our radiant floor heating setup is zone control. We have a thermostat in each room that allows customized settings.