Hello I just purchsed my first home here in WA state (rambler style) in Dec and noticed after moving in that two rooms (1 bedroom and the dining room) seemed colder than the rest. An electrician hired from the home warranty company came out who said the radiant heat was no longer working in those two rooms. The power wires had power but the other wire ( I guess from the heating elements) had none. He said my only option was to install a new system (forced air or baseboard) in those rooms. He never checked anything besides the wires behind the thermostats.. Is there anyway that the current heating system can be repaired? The electrician said it could only be replaced by ripping out my ceiling and installing a new system?? The house was built in 1964. I hate forced air systems and am happy with how the ceiling radiant heat works in all the other rooms so I'd like to keep it if it isn't too costly and is possible.. Also if it can be what is the best way to find someone who knows how in my area?

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Originally Posted by flwerfire

Hello I just purchsed my first home here in WA state (rambler style) in Dec and noticed after moving in that two rooms (1 bedroom and the dining room) seemed colder than the rest. An electrician hired from the home warrenty company came out who said the radiant heat was no longer working in those two rooms. The power wires had power but the other wire ( I guess from the heating elements) had none. He said my only option was to install a new system (forced air or baseboard) in those rooms. He never checked anything besides the wires behind the thermostats.. Is there anyway that the current heating system can be repaired? The electrician said it could only be replaced by ripping out my ceiling and installing a new system??? The house was built in 1964. I hate forced air systems and am happy with how the ceiling radiant heat works in all the other rooms so I'd like to keep it if it isn't too costly and is possible.. Also if it can be what is the best way to find someone who knows how in my area??

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No repair splices are allowed in a concealed electric resistance heating device since the splice will cause a hot spot and not only that but the chanced of busting a hole in the ceiling where the heater has gone bad would be slim to none.. The cheapest way out is to just install a strip of electric baseboard heat on the wall down at the floor. I would not care for the forced air myself under your circumstances.

Tearing out the ceiling and replacing the heat wire would be very expensive.

One thought to consider. All the heat was installed at the same time when the house was built. How long before the other heaters go bad? That is a good question with no real answer but you might consider this when planning for the future.

You could also get another opinion from someone local who has experience with this style of heating but in all my years of service I have only been in 6 or 7 homes in my area that has this style of heat and required service. It is trouble free until the thermostat or the heater goes bad and they do last a long time.

There are panels available to attach to the ceiling also

Radiant Ceiling Panels


Good read


Chapter 5.2.7 - Concealed Ceiling Cables, Wire, And Flexible Radiant Heat Panels On GlobalSpec