Electric Radiant Heat Systems
We are adding a master bathroom addition (rest assured everyone, it will look like an authentic eichler) and we were considering WarmFloor, Nu-Heat or something similar to heat the new space and the existing bathroom space. Does anyone have any recent experience with these? We have new 220v electric in place, just need to pick a brand. Any thoughts appreciated.
Keith
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I don't have any experience in this, but have some thoughts. I am also planning to do an addition (actually a standalone structure that is integrated with all house lines) - - A/C is more important to me, so we decided on a mini-split A/C w/ heat since the room will be a den/guest BR and a mini-split with/without heat is about the same, and forego radiant heat.
The STEP WarmFloor, I think, is a low voltage system. Therefore, you'll hear transformer hum somewhere, sometime (I hear huming from either my doorbell or thermostat transformer in the garage).
The NuHeat is interesting in that it's marketed as a DIY - - if you can do tiling, you probably can install yourself.
If you want radiant heating, looks like electric is your only (viable) choice -- hot water will be (I think) too expensive for 200-300 sg ft. Baseboard electric could be a cheaper and more reliable option. My addition requires a Title 24 energy calculation, and heating/insulation requirements nearly killed our plans as the glass area-to-sq ft ratio was very high.
Your risk with either electric system is moderate - - you're not doing 1,500 SF and risk abandoning it for reliability or operating costs issues. If 5-10 years down the road, it doesn't work out, go to electric boardbase or minisplit A/C w/ heat.
Some concern about EMF - - I use an electric razer for 20+ years, and I'm convinced daily 1-minute, close-contact exposure to EMF causes abnormalities in skin tissue - - it depends on your body's ability to counter it.
I have always found electric heat to be very expensive. You need to find someone you can trust for advice.
