FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Radiant heat in ceiling?

marv | Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on December 31, 2004 05:24am

A friend of mine is thinking about selling the house he bought last spring because he has super high heating bills.  Turns out this house (20 years old) was built with radiant heat in the ceilings (ranch).  It seems obvious to me why his heat bills are so high, he’s heating the attic!  Was this a common way to do radiant heat in the 80’s?

You get out of life what you put into it……minus taxes.

Marv

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. timkline | Dec 31, 2004 07:53pm | #1

    More popular in the 70's.  The electric companies pushed it like crazy around here by offering cheaper electric to the new users.  Most people who have it seem to like its feel, but not so much the cost of operation. 

    Lots of ceiling insulation helps.

    How much has this guy got  ?

     

    carpenter in transition

  2. UncleDunc | Dec 31, 2004 07:55pm | #2

    Wouldn't insulating the attic be easier than selling up and moving?

  3. User avater
    Mongo | Dec 31, 2004 08:11pm | #3

    Radiant ceiling and wall heat comes in a very distant second to radiant floor heat in terms of the number of installations. All three work, but they are different animals.

    Electric radiant? Not a wise choice unless you own a hydroelectric plant. At least not in New England.

    And yeah, I'd venture that additional, or better, insulation in the attic would improve things quite a bit.

  4. DavidThomas | Dec 31, 2004 10:31pm | #4

    As others have said, electric radiant ceiling heat is much different than hydronic radiant floor heat which usually is heated by natural gas but could be propane or fuel oil.

    Electric rates have gone up faster than fossil fuels because 1) they come from fossil fuels, 2) we keep using more electricity, and 3) places that used to have an excess like the NW have less of a surplus and/or ship the electrons elsewhere.

    And while the strictly radiant component of ceiling heat is nice, the conductive aspects suck.  The hottest air is at the very top of the of the room where it does you no good.  It only increasing the delta T across the ceiling and increases losses to the attic.

    If he is not attached to the house, selling may make more financial sense than retrofitting.  A buyer won't discount the house nearly enough (if at all) for such a ridiculous heating system.  Whereas a retrofit would involve a heat source (boiler or furnace) and distribution (pipes or ducts).  Maybe worth a quick bid and then compare to realtor selling costs.

    David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska
    1. marv | Dec 31, 2004 11:36pm | #5

      This is hot water radiant heat in the ceiling.  I haven't been up there to check the insulation.  I suggested he should run new pex in main floor joist space to make the system more efficient.You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.

      Marv

      1. DavidThomas | Jan 01, 2005 12:46am | #6

        Hot water in the ceiling.  Then you've got the boiler, manifold, pumps, etc already.  "Just" need to run PEX in the floor and connect.

        But he's got high bills despite the use of non-electric heat? 

        The big return for this money would be insulate the bejebbers out or the ceiling.

        Yes, RFH would allow lower temps on average, a much lower delta T across the ceiling and eliminate cold spots down low.   But how to install it?  Pour gypcrete?  Rip out the basment ceiling and do staple-up?  Anything is doable.  But a lot of them are prohibitive, especially as a retrofit.

        If it was really 70's instead of 80's, there might not be much insulation, certainly not modern standards.  Check that first.David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska

        1. User avater
          BillHartmann | Jan 01, 2005 02:44am | #7

          In addition to adding insulation to the ceiling he could possible add some baseboard units.Not as the main heat source but enough to warm up the floor area. Lot simpler that trying to retro fit floor radaint and since it is sumpliment it won't be that expensice.

          1. ruffmike | Jan 01, 2005 06:09am | #8

            An interesting sidebar,the co. I work for gets alot of work in the Kaiser Buildings in Oakland and the entire dropped ceiling is a grid of copper pipe 12"o.c. with acoustic tile w/ clips that connect to the copper.It is a real chalenge when any overhead work is done,those pipes are HOT!Not sure when it was built,maybe early sixties,about 12 stories tall.      Mike

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Podcast Episode 692: Introduction to Trade Work, Embodied Carbon, and Envelope Improvements

Listeners write in about fostering trade work and proposed changes to Canadian code and ask questions about roof and wall insulation for an old house.

Featured Video

Builder’s Advocate: An Interview With Viewrail

Learn more about affordable, modern floating stairs, from design to manufacturing to installation.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 692: Introduction to Trade Work, Embodied Carbon, and Envelope Improvements
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Building Codes
  • Old Boots Learn New Tricks
  • Install Denim Insulation Like a Pro

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data