In Floor Heating Calgary
Radiant Floor Heating Installation & Repair in Calgary
Even heat from the floor up, zero cold spots, no forced air. DHL Mechanical designs, installs, and services hydronic radiant floor heating systems for Calgary homes — new construction and retrofits — with multi-zone control and glycol freeze protection for Alberta's climate.
Radiant Heating at a Glance
Why Calgary Homeowners Choose Hydronic Radiant Floor Heating
Forced air systems push heated air through ducts — hot air rises to the ceiling, leaves cold spots at floor level, and cycles on and off all day. Radiant floor heating works differently. Warm water circulates through PEX tubing embedded in or under your floor, heating the slab or subfloor, which then radiates heat evenly upward into the room.
The result: consistent warmth from the floor up, no temperature swings, no blowing dust, and no cold spots. Radiant systems also operate at lower water temperatures than radiators (30–45°C vs. 60–80°C), which means high-efficiency condensing boilers run in their most efficient range — saving energy without sacrificing comfort.
In Calgary's 7+ month heating season with temperatures regularly dropping below -25°C, radiant floor heating provides the kind of deep, consistent warmth that forced air simply cannot match.
Radiant vs. Forced Air in Calgary
- Even heat distribution — no hot ceiling / cold floor stratification
- Silent operation — no fan noise, no ductwork
- Better air quality — no dust circulation, no allergens blown through ducts
- 20–40% more efficient than forced air in well-insulated homes
- Zone control — individual room temperatures from one boiler
- No floor space lost — no radiators, baseboard heaters, or vents
Radiant Floor Heating Services
DHL Mechanical provides complete hydronic radiant floor heating service — from initial design through installation, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance. We handle the full hydronic loop: boiler, piping, manifolds, pumps, mixing valves, actuators, controls, and glycol.
- New Construction Design & Install — Heat-loss calculation, loop layout design, PEX tubing installation, manifold setup, boiler connection, and multi-zone controls. Coordinated with your builder's schedule.
- Retrofit Installation — Staple-up from below (joist access), thin slab pour-over, or dry-fit panel systems for existing homes. We assess which method works best for your construction type.
- Repair & Troubleshooting — Air lock purging, zone valve / actuator replacement, manifold rebalancing, pump diagnostics, leak detection, and frozen line recovery.
- Glycol Maintenance — Annual glycol concentration testing, top-ups, and full system flushes. Essential in Calgary where radiant loops pass through slab-on-grade or unheated zones.
- Boiler Upgrades for Radiant — Replacing old non-condensing boilers with high-efficiency condensing units that run optimally at radiant water temperatures (30–45°C).
| Flooring Type | Radiant Compatibility |
|---|---|
| Tile & porcelain | ★★★ Excellent |
| Natural stone | ★★★ Excellent |
| Polished concrete | ★★★ Excellent |
| Engineered hardwood | ★★ Good (if radiant-rated) |
| Vinyl / LVP | ★★ Good (check max temp rating) |
| Laminate | ★★ Fair (check manufacturer) |
| Solid hardwood | ★ Poor (expansion risk) |
| Thick carpet + underlay | ★ Poor (insulates against heat) |
DHL Mechanical advises on flooring compatibility during the design phase to ensure optimal heat transfer.
New Construction vs. Retrofit
The cost and method of installing radiant floor heating depends significantly on whether you're building new or adding to an existing home.
New Construction
- PEX tubing installed before slab pour
- Coordinated with builder's schedule
- Multi-zone manifolds, controls & boiler included
- No floor height increase
- Best ROI — build it in from day one
Retrofit Installation
- Staple-up from below (if joist access)
- Thin pour-over slab (1.5" added height)
- Dry-fit panel systems available
- Can target specific rooms / zones
- Higher cost due to subfloor access work
Building a new home? The best time to add radiant is during construction. Already in your home? We assess every retrofit individually to determine the most cost-effective approach. Read our full cost breakdown →
From Design to Warm Floors
How DHL Mechanical designs and installs a radiant floor heating system.
Site Assessment
Heat-loss calculation, subfloor evaluation, flooring discussion, and zone planning. For new builds, we review plans with your builder.
System Design
PEX loop layout, manifold sizing, boiler selection, pump/mixing valve spec, glycol requirements, and zone control mapping.
Installation
PEX tubing placement, manifold and boiler installation, piping, controls, and glycol charging. Pressure-tested before slab pour.
Commission & Handover
Full system startup, zone balancing, combustion analysis, and homeowner walkthrough with operating instructions.
Common Radiant Floor Heating Problems We Fix
If your radiant system isn't performing as it should, here are the most common issues we diagnose and repair.
Trapped air (air locks), a failed zone valve or actuator, or an improperly balanced manifold. Air locks are the #1 cause and require professional purging equipment to resolve completely.
Failed circulator pump, stuck mixing valve, or glycol that has degraded and is restricting flow. Glycol degrades over time and must be tested annually — old glycol turns acidic and damages components.
Indicates a leak somewhere in the loop, a failed expansion vessel, or a weeping connection at the manifold. Requires professional pressure testing to locate and repair.
Wiring issue, failed actuator on the manifold, or a thermostat that's reading air temperature instead of floor temperature. Systems with floor sensors provide much better control than air-sensing thermostats alone.
Radiant system not working right? Call (403) 863-8246 — we specialize in hydronic troubleshooting.
Boilers We Pair with Radiant Floor Heating
Radiant floor heating operates at low water temperatures (30–45°C), which is exactly the range where high-efficiency condensing boilers achieve their peak performance. Pairing radiant with a condensing boiler is one of the most energy-efficient heating combinations available — and it's what we recommend for every new radiant installation in Calgary.
We most commonly install IBC, NTI, and Viessmann for radiant applications. These manufacturers build condensing boilers purpose-designed for the low return water temperatures that radiant systems produce — maximizing condensation and energy recovery.
If your existing radiant system is paired with an older non-condensing boiler, upgrading to a modern condensing unit can reduce energy consumption by 20–30% while improving temperature consistency. See our 2026 boiler cost guide for pricing.
Why Condensing Boilers + Radiant = Peak Efficiency
- Condensing boilers hit 95%+ AFUE at low water temps
- Radiant operates at 30–45°C — ideal for condensation
- Lower water temp = less heat loss in piping
- Modulating burner adjusts output to actual demand
- Outdoor reset control further optimizes water temp
Already have a boiler? We can assess whether an upgrade makes financial sense for your system. Call to discuss.
Radiant Floor Heating Questions
The most common questions Calgary homeowners ask about in-floor heating.
For new construction, hydronic radiant floor heating typically costs $12–$22 per square foot installed, including tubing, manifolds, controls, and boiler. For a 2,000 sq ft home, expect $25,000–$45,000 total. Retrofit installations cost more — typically $18–$30+ per square foot — due to the additional work required to access the subfloor. DHL Mechanical provides detailed quotes after a site assessment or plan review.
Yes, but the method and cost depend on your home's construction. If you have accessible joist bays from below (unfinished basement or crawlspace), tubing can be stapled under the subfloor — the most common and cost-effective retrofit approach. For slab-on-grade homes, a thin pour-over slab (1.5") or dry-fit panel system can be installed over the existing floor, though this raises the floor height slightly.
High-efficiency condensing boilers are ideal because they perform best at the low water temperatures radiant uses (30–45°C). We most commonly install IBC, NTI, and Viessmann for radiant applications — all deliver 95%+ AFUE efficiency and are built for Calgary's demanding heating season.
In most Calgary installations, yes. Any radiant system with tubing that passes through unheated spaces — garages, exterior walls, or slab-on-grade near exterior foundations — should use a propylene glycol solution. DHL Mechanical uses food-grade propylene glycol and tests concentration annually.
The PEX tubing has an expected lifespan of 40–50+ years. The boiler, pumps, and controls have shorter lifespans (15–25 years) and will need servicing or replacement during that time. With annual maintenance, a properly installed system provides decades of reliable heating.
Cold zones are typically caused by trapped air (air locks), a failed zone valve or actuator, an improperly balanced manifold, or a circulator pump issue. Air locks are the most common culprit and require professional purging. DHL Mechanical diagnoses and resolves zone issues quickly.
Tile, stone, and polished concrete are the best conductors. Engineered hardwood works well if radiant-rated. Solid hardwood, thick carpet, and cork are poor conductors that reduce efficiency and can be damaged by heat. We advise on flooring compatibility during the design phase.