Everyone who has heated floors in their bathroom will tell you: they are great. The feeling of waking up on a cold winter morning and stepping onto a warm cozy bathroom floor is like no other. That feeling, however, comes at a cost. Before you dive into the world of radiant floor heating, it’s important to understand the comfort, costs, and potential issues involved, specifically for us living in the Ottawa area.
Let’s start with the two main options – electric and hydronic floor heating systems.
| Electric floor heating | Hydronic floor heating | |
| Installation | Cables are laid out on the subfloor in a specific pattern. Thermostats control the temperature. | A network of PEX tubing is installed beneath the floor, connected to a boiler or other heat source. |
| DIY Friendly? | Yes | No |
| Heat Source | Electricity heats the cables. | A boiler heats water that circulates through the PEX tubing. |
| Pros | Simpler installation: Generally easier and less disruptive, especially for renovations. Faster heating, can be zoned for specific areas | Lower operating costs, more energy-efficient, consistent, and comfortable warmth throughout the floor |
| Cons | Running costs (higher electric bill), potential health effects of electromagnetic fields from electric cables. | More complex and disruptive installation, more expensive, slower heating, requires maintenance to check for leaks. |
| Best use case scenario | Good for remodeling of existing properties with minimal structural changes. | Good for new builds or during major bathroom renovations. |
Benefits of Heated Floors
- Consistent warmth: No more uneven heat distribution – radiant floors warm the entire room from the ground up.
- Comfort: Wave goodbye to icy feet! Radiant heat warms you from the bottom up for superior comfort.
- Allergy relief: Unlike forced-air systems that circulate dust and allergens, radiant floors offer a cleaner breathing environment.
- Energy Efficiency: Modern heated floors are designed to be energy-efficient. They use less energy compared to traditional heating systems, as they directly heat the floor surface, which then radiates warmth throughout the room. This can lead to lower heating bills, especially during the colder months. Residents of Quebec may benefit from electrical floor heating system because of the lower hydro rates.
- Increased Home Value: Heated floors are a desirable feature in real estate markets. They can significantly increase the value of your home, making it more attractive to potential buyers who value comfort and luxury in a bathroom.
Potential Problems and Considerations
- Cost. Depending on a chosen solution, a heated floor can add upwards of $40/feet of extra expenses to your bathroom renovation project. You should also consider possible structural changes and upgrades to your electrical panel to accommodate the installation.
- Complexity. While portions of a heated floor installation don’t necessarily require a licensed electrician, the Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) strongly recommends and has rules dictating that certain aspects must be done by an electrician. For example, branch circuit wiring (connection of the heated floor system to your home’s electrical panel) MUST be performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Hydronic systems are complex and may require tearing out existing floors. Depending on the existing bathroom layout and flooring, installation might require significant alterations. This could include raising the floor level to accommodate the heating elements, which might necessitate adjustments to doors, fixtures, and thresholds. - Maintenance. Both hydronic and electric floor heating systems are prone to degrade over time and require regular maintenance and checks for potential leaks (for hydronics).
Recommended Practice: Even if you are savvy with home improvement projects, it’s strongly recommended to have a licensed electrician handle the entire heated floor installation process to ensure it meets all OESC requirements. Electrical Safety Authority (ESA): They are the regulatory body in Ontario. Check their website for further details and a list of licensed contractors: https://esasafe.com/
Modern Brands and Easy Installation Solutions
While the installation of heated floors can be complex and costly, modern solutions and brands have made the process more manageable. For instance, the Schluter®-DITRA-HEAT system is designed to simplify the installation of electric floor heating. This system combines the heating cables with an uncoupling mat, which serves dual functions: it protects the floor from cracking and serves as a carrier for the heating cables.
The Schluter floor heating kit is particularly user-friendly, offering an integrated solution that reduces installation time and complexity. The system’s design allows for flexible cable placement, ensuring even heat distribution across the bathroom floor. This can be a significant advantage for DIY enthusiasts or professionals looking to streamline the installation process.