Radiant Heat in Bathroom Ext.
we are getting ready to redo our master bathroom, which is the top floor of a rear brownstone extension. I inquired about installing radiant heat, and a contractor told me it wasn’t advisable. There is a radiator in the bathroom under the window, but the floor is freezing. Any idea why this would be a…
we are getting ready to redo our master bathroom, which is the top floor of a rear brownstone extension. I inquired about installing radiant heat, and a contractor told me it wasn’t advisable. There is a radiator in the bathroom under the window, but the floor is freezing. Any idea why this would be a bad idea?
Electric radiant is the right one to use in your application and room size. “Melting the wax ring” can only be accomplished by installing the system incorrectly. There is no reason to heat so far under the toilet.
There are low voltage (better warranty) or line voltage systems. We’ve installed hundreds in NYC and not one melted ring!
The system will come with a digital programmable thermostat with an in-floor sensor that will enable you to set the floor temperature to whatever makes you happy!
I hadn’t thought about the wax seal being melted.
Other options are electric heaters that double as exhaust fans and radiators that are towel warmers.
Consider those additions as well.
Lots of ways around that.
My understanding is that you cannot connect the floor to the same supply line as the radiator due to that lines higher temp. Being that this is to be installed on the top floor, maybe the temp at that height has dropped enough not to matter. I am not a plumber though.
It’s an extension? Good insulation is essential with radiant heat, including in the ceiling below the heated floor otherwise your floor heat will go everywhere except your bathroom.
….and?
The temp for radiant floors is much lower.
You’ve already got radiators so you’ve got some water-based heating system. There is no reason you can’t make a hot water radiant floor heating system work for you.
The only drawback to radiant heat is the cost and sometimes the complications. If you don’t have existing hot water heat a hydronic radiant set up will be VERY expensive, with existing hot water it is only expensive.
Your contractor may not be familiar with radiant. If that is so do not use him for the installation unless you opt for electric radiant. To warm the floors in one small room electric probably makes the most sense.