Hi, we are in the same position any suggestions? thanks

Hi Camille. So sorry we didn't see this question earlier. I'm sure our input would have been much more helpful several months ago.

For radiant heating – think about $15 per square foot totally installed – could ultimately be a few dollars more or less – but that's a good estimate for the whole package, including products, labor, boilers/controls etc.

Whether on the first floor or second, you will need heat. So, yes, you could put radiant downstairs and forced-air upstairs to save money. Especially since you are running AC as well, this would be certainly be more cost-effective. If doing high mass radiant (tubing in concrete) downstairs, that is generally too heavy and impractical to do upstairs – in which case you could use a low-mass system (ours for example) – on the 2nd floor.

Ultimately, it depends on the type of home you are building. If you are building a home you wish to live in and enjoy for many years, it may be worth spending more on a whole home radiant system. We encounter several individuals who put radiant downstairs and forced air heat upstairs, regret it - and then talk to us about adding radiant upstairs.

But consider the $12-18 price range above. If that's an option for you, and you plan on living in this home for a long time, you may be happier ultimately putting radiant on both floors.

If you have more technical questions, give us a call. We'll be happy to talk to you about AC, the good and the bad, etc... =)

And if we're too late to this party – we hope you project is going really well.