floor heating For your kentucky home
What if you could always rely on energy-efficient, evenly distributed heat, no matter where you were in your home? While the ever popular forced-air furnaces are still used in many homes throughout Kentucky, Tennessee and the surrounding area, the best way to get this efficient heating we’re talking about is from a radiant heating system.
Whether you’re considering installing a radiant heater or want to schedule services for your existing heater, you can call the professionals at Stinson Plumbing for the job. We are the premier boiler, radiant heating service providers and plumbers in Mayfield, Paducah, Benton & many other W KY cities. We look forward to seeing how we can help keep your home warm all through the cooler months.
How Hydronic Radiant Heat Works
A boiler heats water to roughly 100–120°F. A pump circulates that water through PEX tubing embedded in or under the floor. The tubing radiates heat into the floor surface, which warms the room by contact and convection. A thermostat and mixing valve control the temperature per zone.
The system is quiet. No registers. No ducts to clean. Each room or zone heats independently — so you're not paying to heat the guest bedroom when nobody's in it.
Where Radiant Heat Makes Sense
- New builds on slab. Tubing goes in before the concrete pour. Cheapest time to install. We coordinate with your GC during the rough-in phase.
- Basement finishes. Concrete slabs hold heat well. Radiant tubing in a thin-set layer under tile or engineered hardwood turns a cold basement into livable space.
- Additions and sunrooms. No need to extend existing ductwork. The radiant system heats the new space independently.
- Pole barns and workshops. Slab-on-grade radiant heat keeps a shop floor warm without overhead heaters.
- Bathroom and kitchen remodels. Electric radiant mats work under tile for spot heating. Hydronic systems cover larger areas more efficiently.
Radiant Heat vs Forced Air
- Efficiency. Radiant systems run at lower water temperatures and lose less energy than ductwork. Most homeowners see lower heating bills.
- Comfort. Even heat distribution. No cold spots near windows or hot blasts from registers. Consistent 68–72°F across the floor.
- Air quality. No ductwork means no dust, allergens or pet hair circulating through the house.
- Noise. Silent operation. The pump and boiler sit in the mechanical room. You hear nothing in the living space.
- Maintenance. Fewer moving parts than a furnace. Annual boiler service and occasional pressure checks keep it running for decades.
Boiler Options
We install gas, propane and electric boilers depending on your fuel availability and system size. Most residential installs in Marshall and Graves County use a high-efficiency condensing gas boiler. Rural properties without gas service typically run propane. We size the boiler based on square footage, insulation and zone count.
Thinking about radiant heat? Call (270) 356-1204 or request an estimate online. We'll walk your site, size the system and give you a flat price — no hourly meter.
Radiant Heat Questions
Can you add radiant heat to an existing home?
Yes, but it depends on the floor structure. Slab-on-grade homes work best with a thin-set overlay. Homes with crawlspaces can have tubing stapled under the subfloor. We evaluate each house individually.
What flooring works with radiant heat?
Tile, stone, polished concrete and engineered hardwood conduct heat best. Solid hardwood and thick carpet act as insulation and reduce performance. We'll advise on flooring choices during the estimate.
Does radiant heat replace my furnace?
It can be the sole heat source in a well-insulated home. Older homes with poor insulation may need supplemental heat in extreme cold. We size the system based on your actual heat loss, not guesswork.
