Is radiant in-floor heating a good idea for a cottage?
We’re planning our design right now and need help understanding this option. A: Everyone likes radiant in-floor heating, because everyone likes warm feet. But the real issue in cottage country is how to make it happen practically. Hydronic systems that pump heated liquid through pipes in the floor are great, and I’ve installed the WarmRite system in one of my own buildings. That said, there are a couple of unique issues to consider in the case of a cottage. If your floor plan is small, then you might find the fixed costs of a hydronic control panel too high given the amount of heat required and the amount of time you’ll be using the building. Also, there’s the added trouble of draining water from the system when you’ll be away during cold weather. Although antifreeze runs through the floor pipes, you’ll still have to drain water from the boiler or hot water heater if you don’t want to leave it running all winter. Another option is in-floor electric heating. Think of it like an electric
