Radiant Heat If existing home directly on slab

[b gordo]

Currently there are tiles installed directly on the concrete slab for half of the home, the other half has a basement.

Does it make any sense to retrofit water radiant heat on a home when existing floors are on a slab?

First obvious issue is the 1" or more you'll lose for the pex layer and track going above the slab.

But perhaps a bigger issue is whether hyrdonic on top of a slab makes any sense as far as heat transfer. I'm concerned that you'd be paying to heat the slab, and thus the ground under the house.

Any thoughts, or links to independent reviews are appreciated.

 

[rjbphd]

If you want comfortable hydronic heating system, go with cast iron baseboard radiators. .

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Jadnashua]

On new construction, they may have insulated below the slab which should help...otherwise, especially if the ground underneath the slab is wet, it will suck up a lot of your heat. Radiant in-floor heating is nice since it is so even and does not restrict furniture placement. Radiant in the ceiling can work.

 

[Reach4]

XPS insulation along the outside of the foundation might help if you went that route. I don't know how far down it should go.

You might do better posting into the Boiler forum: https://terrylove.com/forums/index.php?forums/boiler-forum.18/

 

[Craigpump]

My new garage, styrofoam foundation forms & 2" foam board with Pex for radiant heat