Radiant Floor Heating
Custom Designed Radiant Floor Heating Systems For Ottawa Homes & Businesses
Comfort starts beneath your feet
A warm floor can change the way a room feels through an Ottawa winter. AirZone HVAC Services designs and installs custom radiant floor heating for homes and businesses, with in-house design from the floor layout through to the heating equipment.
Our hydronic, or hot-water, floor heating systems circulate warm liquid through a network of plastic tubing beneath the floor. The floor becomes the heat-emitting surface, keeping the heating distribution out of your living or working space.
Whether you are planning a new building or updating an existing one, start with a conversation about where in-floor heating fits your project.
- In-house design
- New builds & retrofits
- Homes & businesses
A new floor plan or an existing floor?
AirZone offers radiant floor designs for new construction and retrofit installations. The useful first question is how the heating will fit into the work you already have planned.
For a new build
Bring radiant heating into the discussion while the floor construction and mechanical space are being planned. Share your drawings, room uses and intended floor finishes so the heating design can be considered alongside them.
Tell us whether the goal is whole-building heating, selected rooms or added floor comfort.
For a renovation or retrofit
Start with the existing floor and the access your renovation will provide. Let us know which areas will be opened up, which finishes you want to keep and what heating equipment is already in place.
Retrofit suitability needs a project-specific review. A finished floor and an open renovation present different possibilities.
Planning a commercial space? Include how each area will be used and its operating hours. A workspace, a customer area and a space used only occasionally may need different heating decisions.
Four decisions to make before the floor goes down
The heat the space needs
Compare the building's heat loss with what the planned floor can deliver. This helps establish whether radiant can carry the heating load or needs support.
The floor above the tubing
Choose the finish with the heating design in mind. Check the flooring manufacturer's radiant-use approval and temperature limits before committing to materials.
The heat source and boiler room
Plan the floor circuits and the equipment supplying them together. AirZone's radiant work includes boiler room design builds.
The rooms and their routines
Discuss separate temperature zones, everyday schedules and how the system will be used during Ottawa's changing spring and fall weather.
Radiant heating & boiler room projects
In-house radiant design, including the boiler room
AirZone brings floor heating and boiler room design builds together for Ottawa homes and businesses. Our in-house design service supports new construction and suitable retrofit projects.
For your consultation, a few project details give the conversation a useful starting point:
- Floor plans or the rooms you want to heat
- Your planned floor finishes and renovation scope
- Details of the existing heating system, if there is one
- Whether radiant will be the main heat source or work alongside another system
You do not need to choose every component before getting in touch. Start with the project you have in mind.
Radiant floor heating questions
Get a clearer picture of flooring choices, running costs and how a hydronic floor responds.
What is radiant floor heating?
Radiant floor heating warms a space through the floor surface. In a hydronic system, warm liquid circulates through plastic tubing beneath the floor. Electric floor heating uses a different heating method. AirZone's radiant floor service focuses on custom hydronic systems; our existing installations most commonly use natural gas as the heat source.
Is radiant floor heating safe?
A radiant floor system needs appropriate design, installation and temperature control. The tubing is beneath the floor, and the system should operate within the limits of its components and the selected flooring. The heat source and other mechanical equipment also need to be installed and maintained according to their requirements.
What type of floor should I use?
Use flooring that its manufacturer approves for radiant heating, following any temperature and installation limits. Tile and stone transfer heat well. Suitable wood, vinyl, laminate and carpet products may also be options, but the specific flooring and underlay need to be considered in the heating design. Check compatibility before buying the finish.
Is the radiant floor expensive to run?
Running cost depends on the fuel source and its price, the building's heat loss, the heating equipment, the floor construction and how the system is controlled. A well-designed hydronic floor can operate at relatively low water temperatures, but that alone does not establish your energy bill. Compare a proposed system using your building and expected use rather than assuming a fixed saving.
How long does it take for my radiant floor to heat up?
There is no single warm-up time for every radiant floor. Floor construction, insulation, floor covering and the starting temperature all matter. A floor with a thick concrete layer can respond slowly and continue releasing stored heat after the system stops calling for heat. Discuss control settings and daily schedules for the proposed floor assembly.
Can I use the radiant floor as my primary source of heat?
Yes, when the design shows that the floor can meet the space's heating demand. Some projects need additional heat. AirZone also discusses using radiant floors alongside another system, such as a heat pump, for flexibility during Ottawa's spring and fall temperature swings. A slow-responding floor and warm daytime weather need a suitable control strategy; a heat pump can also provide cooling.
Bring your floor plans and your questions
Tell AirZone about the home or business you are planning, the rooms you want to heat and where you are in the project. We can discuss whether a custom radiant floor system is a suitable option.