Building or developing in San Francisco? Radiant floor heating is the ideal choice for ADU conversions, new construction, and garage builds throughout the city — no ductwork, no noise, and maximum comfort in tight SF spaces.
San Francisco's ADU boom means thousands of garage conversions and in-law unit builds happening across the Sunset, Richmond, and Potrero Hill. Radiant floor heating is the standard solution — there's no room for ductwork, and radiant delivers consistent, code-compliant heat with zero space impact.
San Francisco's most common heating solution for ADUs and garage conversions
SF's fog and marine layer keep temperatures mild but consistently cold. Radiant heating is highly efficient in this environment — the steady, moderate cold loads are ideal for low-temperature radiant operation, getting maximum efficiency from condensing boilers and heat pumps.
90-97% efficiency with condensing boilers
New construction and ADUs in SF require permits through DBI. All mechanical systems must meet SF Green Building Ordinance requirements. We handle all Title 24 compliance for the heating system, select code-compliant equipment, and coordinate directly with your GC and the building inspector.
Title 24 and Green Building Ordinance experts
For slab-on-grade ADUs and new builds, we design the tubing layout before the concrete pour. We coordinate with your GC on the pour schedule and install the tubing tied to the rebar — this is the ideal installation for highest efficiency and durability.
For second-story additions or sites where slab work isn't possible, we use Warmboard or similar subfloor panel systems. These high-conduction panels allow the tubing to be installed over the existing structure with excellent heat transfer.
We engineer the complete system — selecting and installing the heat source (combi-boiler, system boiler, or air-to-water heat pump), manifolds, zone controls, and thermostats. Everything is designed as a complete integrated system.
We pressure-test the tubing before the concrete pour, perform a full system commissioning after, and arrange for the DBI mechanical inspection. We accompany the inspector to answer any questions.
The most popular choice for SF ADUs. A combi-boiler from Navien or Lochinvar handles both radiant floor heat and domestic hot water in one compact wall-mounted unit.
The future of SF heating — air-to-water systems use electricity to extract heat from the air and deliver it to the radiant loop. Highly efficient in SF's mild climate and qualify for substantial federal tax credits.
For larger properties with multiple units or extensive square footage, a system boiler with a zone manifold system provides precise, independent control for each space — from a garage unit to a primary residence.
Contact us early in your project. We'll coordinate with your architect and GC to design and install a radiant heating system that meets all SF code requirements.
Serving All San Francisco Neighborhoods • Licensed & Insured • 20+ Years Experience
