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TITLE: Hydronic Radiant Floor Heating Installation & Service in San Francisco | Nigel Mulgrew Plumbing
BLOG POST:
Warm Floors, Done Right. Radiant Heat for San Francisco Homes
If you've ever stepped onto a warm tile floor on a cold San Francisco morning, you already understand why radiant heat has a devoted following. We've been watching demand for these systems grow for years — and after completing several successful installations, we're now officially offering radiant heat installation and servicing as part of our residential plumbing services.
What Is a Hydronic Radiant Heat System?
Hydronic radiant heating works by circulating warm water through flexible PEX tubing embedded in your floors — typically beneath a concrete slab or a gypcrete layer. The floor itself becomes a large, low-temperature radiator that heats a room evenly from the ground up.
Unlike forced-air systems, there are no ducts, no vents, and no air being blown around a room. Heat rises quietly and evenly from the floor, without cold spots, drafts, or the constant cycling on and off that forced-air systems rely on.
Why San Francisco Homes Are a Great Fit
San Francisco's mild but persistently damp climate is exactly what radiant heat was made for. The city rarely gets freezing cold, but that coastal chill — the kind that settles into old Victorian floors and concrete slabs — is exactly what a radiant system handles best.
We're also seeing a lot of ADU builds, ground-floor additions, and garage conversions across the city where a new concrete slab is already being poured. That's the ideal moment to install radiant — the marginal cost is low and the long-term payoff is high.
Why Homeowners Choose Radiant Heat
— Consistent, even warmth — no hot and cold zones, no drafts — Works efficiently at lower water temperatures, reducing energy bills over time — No air movement means better indoor air quality — ideal for allergy sufferers — Completely silent — no blower motors, no duct noise — Compatible with solar thermal and heat pump water heaters — Increases home value, especially in high-end remodels and ADUs — Low maintenance once installed — PEX tubing carries a 25-year warranty
Custom-Designed for Your Home
No two homes heat the same way. Room size, ceiling height, floor coverings, insulation, and how your home is oriented all affect how a radiant system needs to be designed. That's why we don't work from a template — our team specs every system from scratch, sized and zoned specifically for your home's layout and how you actually use the space.
That means calculating the right tube spacing and loop lengths for each zone, selecting the correct boiler or water heater output, and sizing the manifold to balance heat delivery evenly across every room. A system that's properly spec'd on the front end runs more efficiently, lasts longer, and performs the way it's supposed to from day one.
What We Install
Our installations use high-quality PEX-A tubing — the most flexible and durable option available — paired with a properly designed manifold system that lets you zone different areas of your home independently. A heated bathroom floor doesn't need to run on the same schedule as a living room.
We handle the full scope: system design, tubing layout, manifold installation, boiler or water heater connection, pressure testing before the pour, and coordination with your concrete contractor. After the slab is down, we commission the system and walk you through the controls.
We also service existing radiant systems — whether you bought a home with one already installed, or an older system isn't performing the way it should.
Is Your Project a Good Candidate?
Radiant heat is most cost-effective when a concrete pour is already planned — new construction, ADUs, garage conversions, or major remodels where flooring is being removed down to the subfloor. Retrofitting an existing slab is more involved, but in the right situation it's still worth it.
The best starting point is a conversation. We'll look at your project, your heating goals, and give you a straight answer on whether radiant makes sense for your situation — and what it would actually cost.
Ready to talk about radiant heat?
We serve San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area. Give us a call or send us a message — we're happy to answer questions and schedule a site visit.