Remodeling your SF home is the best time to add radiant floor heating. We retrofit systems into existing Victorian flats, Edwardian row houses, and Sunset bungalows with minimal disruption to your finished space.
Victorian flats, Edwardian homes, and Richmond bungalows have unique structural constraints — low crawl spaces, concrete ground floors, and century-old framing. We've developed retrofit methods that work within these constraints without major demolition.
Retrofit methods without major demolition
Any new heating equipment added during an SF remodel must be protected from the city's high water pressure. We test your home's water pressure at the start of every project and install a pressure-reducing valve if your home is above 80 PSI — which most SF homes are.
SF water pressure often runs 130–140 PSI · Safe limit is 80 PSI
Mechanical work done during a remodel requires permits through DBI. If your remodel involves a general permit, our heating work is typically added to the existing permit package. We handle all compliance so your renovation stays on schedule.
Compliance handled so renovations stay on schedule
For rooms above a crawl space or an accessible basement, we install radiant tubing from underneath — stapled between joists with aluminum transfer plates. No demo required. This is the cleanest retrofit method for SF homes with accessible underfloor space.
For Sunset or Richmond bungalows on slab or where crawl space access isn't possible, we use thin panel systems installed on top of the existing subfloor. These add minimal floor height and work with tile, engineered hardwood, and polished concrete.
A remodel is the ideal time to upgrade your heat source. We replace aging boilers with high-efficiency condensing units, or transition to an air-to-water heat pump for full electrification — both options qualify for rebates and tax credits.
We add individual room thermostats and zone manifolds to give you precise room-by-room control — a major upgrade over the single-zone systems common in older SF homes.
20+ years working in SF homes from the Sunset to Pacific Heights. We know the typical framing, pipe layouts, and quirks of every major SF building type. No surprises when we open the walls.
We specialize exclusively in water-based heating systems. This focus means expertise that generalist HVAC contractors can't match — especially important for complex SF remodels.
We work cleanly, communicate proactively, and coordinate directly with your GC. We're on the same team as everyone else working on your renovation.
Don't miss the opportunity to add radiant heating while the walls are open. Contact us for a free assessment of your remodel project.
Serving All San Francisco Neighborhoods • Licensed & Insured • 20+ Years Experience
