Floor heating
Floor heating for new Perth homes: what it costs to run, how it’s built, and the decisions you can’t change once the slab is poured.
How long does hydronic heating last?
The pipes in the floor outlast most houses; the heat pump is the part that wears. What lasts, what doesn't, and the signs.
Is floor heating safe for children, pets and older people?
The water in the floor runs at about 40 degrees, so there's nothing hot to touch and nothing to knock over. Why it's safe and what to check.
What is hydronic heating, and how does it work?
Warm water, a heat pump and a loop of pipe. How hydronic heating works, what it costs to run in Perth, and how it compares with aircon.
Does underfloor heating add value when you sell your home?
Nobody has measured it in Australia. What buyers do notice, and when floor heating helps a sale or quietly costs the next owner.
What happens if something goes wrong with my floor heating?
Most faults are in the parts you can reach and get fixed without touching the floor. The unfixable ones are decided before the pour.
Hydronic floor heating or ducted reverse-cycle: which is better in Perth?
Reverse cycle is cheaper to buy and efficient. Hydronic built right runs in the same league, minus the blown air. When each one wins.
Is underfloor heating expensive to run? What it costs in Perth
About $240 a winter month for 200 m² built right, $601 built cheap. Where the gap comes from, and how to land on the right side of it.
What’s inside a hydronic heating system? The parts, in plain words
A heat source, a pump, a manifold and some pipe, plus a few small parts that keep it safe. What each one does, in plain words.
What maintenance does hydronic heating need?
The pipes in the floor need nothing. The heat pump or boiler needs a check about every two years. Here's what a service covers.
Can floor heating pipes leak, and what happens if they do?
They don't burst or wear out. They leak only if something cuts them, and a hit during the build is found the same day.
Can I keep a wood fire or gas fireplace with floor heating?
Yes. The floor does the everyday warmth and the fire does the evenings. What to plan so the two get along.
How long does floor heating take to warm up – and should I leave it on?
A thin screed starts warming the room in 15 to 30 minutes, a slab in about 45. Why that matters in Perth, and why it runs on a timer.