Heating Installation in a Concrete Garage Floor

Hydronic Systems

• Hydronic systems use a heat source and a water pump to force heated water through a series of pipes embedded in your garage floor. These pipes radiate heat into the floor, which is then released into your garage or workroom. Older radiant heating systems may use metal pipes. Modern systems use plastic pipes since metal pipes can chemically react with the concrete causing them to corrode over a long period of time.

Electrical Systems

• Radiant systems using electrical heating elements are a compact alternative for existing garages. Electric systems are often less expensive to install since they do not require a boiler or water pump. Electric radiant floor systems need less time to heat up than hydronic systems and can use timers and temperature sensors to enhance their energy efficiency.

Existing Floors

• You can add radiant heating to your existing garage floor using an electric radiant heat system. This type of system uses a series of heating coils installed between your garage floor and a layer of tile or other flooring material. Ceramic tiles are often used since these improve the ability of the system to retain and radiate heat.

Heating Sources

• Radiant flooring systems can obtain heat from a number of energy sources. The boilers used in hydronic systems can obtain heat from electric heating elements or combustion chambers fueled with wood, coal, natural gas or heating oil. Electric and hydronic systems can use solar heating to provide electricity or heat in your garage. Solar systems are often more effective in hydronic systems embedded in the concrete floor since they are generally more effective at holding heat during the night.

Considerations

• Radiant floor heating is relatively ineffective at heating spaces that are subject to drastically changing temperatures. Radiant heating systems embedded in thick concrete slabs can take several hours to heat a room. Hydronic heating systems embedded in your concrete floor can suffer damage if the concrete slab of your garage begins to shift. Installing rigid foam insulation underneath your concrete slab and around the sides will improve the heating efficiency of your garage.