{"id":35814,"date":"2026-07-01T20:09:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T03:09:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/how-to-stop-worrying-and-love-radiant-heating\/"},"modified":"2026-07-01T20:09:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T03:09:17","slug":"how-to-stop-worrying-and-love-radiant-heating","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/how-to-stop-worrying-and-love-radiant-heating\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Stop Worrying And Love Radiant Heating"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"-\"For high-end customers looking to design and build their dream home or getaway, a hydronic radiant floor heating and cooling system represents more than just the pinnacle of comfort, it\u2019s a technological marvel they can show off to friends, business associates and family. Being able to open 12-foot sliding glass walls when it was 104 F outside and holding a comfortable 70 to 73 F inside the home, or pulling up an app to cool off the guest room at the touch of a button, extends the comfort equation into an opportunity to position their home as a showcase.<\/p>\n

Yet radiant floor cooling remains an uncommon alternative to air conditioning in residential homes. Why? It\u2019s a commonly misunderstood system, with many contractors and designers fearing condensation buildup on floors and lacking the proper controls to manage dew point, which are two of the primary challenges associated with radiant floor cooling.<\/p>\n

\"-\"Building a real-world test site <\/strong><\/p>\n

Scott Grimshaw, a veteran Canadian HVAC contractor and distributor, proved that radiant floor cooling can be a success by using his own custom-built 4,000-square-foot home overlooking Kalamalka Lake in British Columbia as a test site to show that proper smart controls, dew point management and hydronic fan coils can make the system a practical, reliable and comfortable option in residential homes.<\/p>\n

Grimshaw spent 25 years specializing in custom homes, geothermal systems, hydronic heating systems, and radiant floor installations with his HVAC contracting company. He now runs Granite Hydronic Supply<\/a> with his son, distributing hydronic heat pumps, fan coils and Tekmar controls to contractors across the region. During his time as a contractor, smart controls were not yet an option when installing radiant floor cooling.<\/p>\n

Before smart controls became available, contractors would first design the geothermal or boiler system, install the piping, and then install the equipment. Everything wouldn\u2019t come together until the end, when they\u2019d go into the mechanical room and struggle to figure out how to connect all the equipment together. Controls took a backseat as contractors focused on installing the heat pump and piping. This made it difficult for contractors to troubleshoot and repair issues, and they frequently dealt with occupant complaints and callback requests<\/p>\n

But now, by considering smart controls early in planning, radiant floor cooling has become a practical option that addresses many of the issues that would arise when controls were added after installation.<\/p>\n

\"-\"Designing the system<\/strong><\/p>\n

Grimshaw wanted a single, integrated hydronic system with heating and cooling, humidity control, zoning and remote monitoring. The home itself was also built with a tight building envelope, minimizing air leakage and maximizing its energy efficiency. The hydronic system was built around an air-to-water heat pump that provides warm water for heating and chilled water for cooling. Specifically, Grimshaw selected air-to-water monobloc heat pumps due to their compatibility with hydronic radiant systems and smart controls.<\/p>\n

\"-\"Zones<\/strong><\/p>\n

Radiant heating and cooling were achieved through eight separate zones throughout the home: four upstairs and four downstairs. On the lower level, Scott installed three inches of insulation beneath a four- to five-inch concrete slab with radiant tubing embedded in the concrete. This was covered with engineered hardwood flooring. The design of the upper level included tubing above the subfloor with a two-inch lightweight concrete pour, also covered with the same hardwood. Spacing was a deliberate choice, with six-inch on-centre spacing everywhere throughout the home. Although most contractors vary spacing, Grimshaw methodically kept it consistent because it allows the system to perform more efficiently. His spacing method creates a larger radiator, which ultimately enables lower water temperatures, improves heating efficiency and cooling performance, reduces hot and cold snaps, and creates more uniform comfort throughout the house.<\/p>\n

\"-\"Fan coils<\/strong><\/p>\n

In addition to the radiant zones, hydronic fan coils were integrated into the system. The fan coils serve two purposes: humidity removal and supplemental cooling.<\/p>\n

Within the home, fan coils were added to the following rooms\u2026<\/p>\n