Radiant floor heating is an efficient addition to any hydronic heating system, and when combined with a geothermal system it becomes one of the most efficient ways to heat your home, increasing your comfort as it reduces your energy costs.

In a radiant setup, the warmth is supplied by hot-water tubes underneath the floor (shown exposed in the photo on the left). As the invisible waves of thermal radiation rise from below, they warm up any objects they strike, which radiate that captured heat in turn. Though the air temperature remains relatively constant, you stay comfortable because the surrounding surfaces aren't stealing warmth from your body.

Hot-water "hydronic" systems circulate water through loops of polyethylene tubing. The flexible tubes can be installed in a variety of ways: on top of the subfloor in grooved panels or snap-in grids; clipped up on the underside of the floor; or embedded in poured concrete. Once the system is in place, you can cover it with most types of finish flooring, including hardwood and tile.