Can radiant heat be your only source of heat?

Author: Dr. Floy Rau  |  Last update: Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Key Takeaways. Radiant floor heating can heat an entire house but in some cases might not always be suitable as the sole heat source (e.g. extremely cold climates).

Can you heat a house with just radiant heat?

WHole house heat can be electric radiant as long as it is not the sole source of heat. Believe it or not wood burning stoves and heat circulating fireplaces may qualify as primary heat. :) Wood floors do have a higher R value than stone, concrete or ceramic tiles.

Is radiant heat a permanent heat source?

Definition of Permanent Heat Source

A reliable heat source is defined as permanently installed and self-fueled. This would include forced warm air heated by gas or electric, radiant heat, baseboard units heated by electric, or installed wall units.

What is the downside of radiant heat?

Electric radiant heating can be expensive to operate, depending on local electricity rates. Hydronic systems are expensive to install. Radiant heat is difficult to retrofit and may require major renovations.

Can you heat a house with just underfloor heating?

Heating the Whole House

Underfloor heating systems are well suited for use as the primary source of heat in your whole house. A hybrid solution, using a combination of both electric and water systems, often provides an ideal solution for multi-storey homes.

Radiant in-floor heating - Everything you need to know - Pros and Cons

What is the downside of underfloor heating?

Yes, underfloor heating has a few disadvantages, such as higher installation costs, longer warm-up time compared to radiators, and potential restrictions on furniture placement.

Do you need central heating if you have underfloor heating?

Yes. A wet underfloor heating system relies on hot water running through it in order to provide heat, so a wet underfloor heating system can indeed be connected up to your existing central heating and radiator system.

What is the life expectancy of radiant floor heating?

The longevity of an underfloor heating system depends on the type of system installed. A well-installed and maintained water-based underfloor heating system can last up to 50 years. Electric systems, while having a shorter lifespan, can still last up to 25 years.

What is the complication of radiant warmer?

The most serious complication of radiant warmers is extreme hyperthermia, which may occur from improper use or from dislodgement of the sensor probe. Hyperthermia may result in death or permanent neurological damage (T.

Does radiant heat use a lot of electricity?

Energy efficient

Most electric floor heating systems use 12 watts per hour per square foot, meaning a 100-square-foot room would use 1200 watts in total every hour, or 300 watts less than the average space heater.

What is the cheapest permanent heat source?

CHEAP AND EFFICIENT HEATING

Natural gas is usually the cheapest way. Even with higher gas prices, a heating system fueled by natural gas is typically less than electricity, propane, or heating oil.

What is the best floor for radiant heat?

Ceramic tile is the most common and effective floor covering for radiant floor heating, because it conducts heat well and adds thermal storage.

Does the sun give off radiant heat?

The Sun's energy gets to the Earth through radiation, which you can prove just by standing outside and letting the sun's rays warm your face on a sunny day.

Should I turn off my radiant heat in the summer?

Advantages of turning off UFH for the summer

By using the temperature controls for UFH, users can easily switch off their system for the warmer months of the year and gain from further energy savings. Keeping radiant floor heating activated through June, July and August can be a waste of valuable resources.

Is it expensive to run radiant heat?

When you look at the operational cost associated with a radiant heated floor system, you'll see you can save a lot of money when compared to traditional heating systems. Homeowners can expect to pay between $1 to $5 for every 24 hours of use in a 100-square-foot area.

Can you put air conditioning in a house with radiant heat?

Homes with radiators do not have duct work and therefore your home will require additional equipment or ductwork to provide you air conditioning. In this article, we will discuss the air conditioning options you have available to be comfortable in your home with radiators. Ductwork can be added to any existing home.

What happens if radiant heat is too hot?

In addition, excessive heat will raise your operating costs, shorten the life of your heating system, and possibly damage the flooring. The normal temperature for radiant heating is 75 F at floor level and several degrees higher on very cold days.

What are the disadvantages of radiant energy?

Cons:
  • High initial cost: Radiant heating systems can be more expensive to install than traditional heating methods. ...
  • Limited to certain spaces: Radiant heating systems are best suited to spaces with high ceilings or large open spaces, where traditional heating methods can struggle to provide adequate warmth.

Is radiant floor heating enough to heat a house?

Can radiant floor heating heat an entire house? We're happy to say that it absolutely can, in the right scenario, which is an exciting prospect, especially considering radiant heat's benefits of no air blowing (which reduces indoor allergies) and soothing whole-room comfort (no cold air pockets in your room).

Can radiant floor heat freeze?

Yes, as your Radiant Heating System is expensive, it deserves protecting using a fluid that that keeps the fluid in the system from freezing.

Which is better, forced air or radiant heat?

Studies have shown that radiant floor heating is as much as 30 percent more efficient than forced air, and with the addition of a Smart thermostat, additional savings are realized by establishing zones that can be individually controlled.

Can you just have underfloor heating?

Underfloor heating can be used as either the primary heating source to heat your whole home or as a secondary heat source in just one or two rooms to work alongside your existing heating system. Looking to make your home the most sustainable it can be? Consider installing a new heat source alongside your new system.

Why is my underfloor heating not working after summer?

Underfloor Heating Not Working After Summer

Very often the problem is a malfunctioning thermostat or a circulating pump problem. In most cases, you have to simply reset a thermostat. If you're not sure how to do this then refer to the manufacturer's user guide.

Do I need a thermostat in every room with underfloor heating?

To reduce energy usage and save money Warmup does recommend using a thermostat for each room you have floor heating in . There are additional reasons to consider having multiple thermostats such as floor heating limits, building regulations, and usage.

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