All

Would you please provide some comments on electric radiant heat in ceilings.  I am looking at a home that has electric heat throughout the entire house – as well as forced hot water by oil in  most rooms.  The bedrooms only have electic heat. 

There is no attic – the second floor bedrooms all have cathedral ceilings.  The house was built in 1983. and is in Boston, MA.

I was wondering….

1) what is the impact of having heat in the ceiling/roofing structure to the live span of the roof shingles etc.  It has it original roof.

2) One of the bedrooms and one bath have no heat during the home inspection.  The other bedrooms warmed up but after 3 hours- no heat output was detected.

3) Any limitations/concerns regarding 1983 technologyn for electric heat. e.g proper wiring, expected maintenance, what could could wrong.

4) Does ceiling based radiant heat makes sense?  I guess I would have less of a concern if were floor radiant heat

I fully expect to replace the remaining electric with forced hot water baseboard heat but I didn’t want to do this right away.  Just looking to tap others experience and knowledge to plan out rough plan and timeline.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts you may have.

S