What does a foundation and in-floor radiant heat cost for a barndominium?

Breaking down the costs associated with my 74 by 36 foot concrete foundation and in-floor radiant heating installed by the Amish

Next up in my cost series is the foundation and in-floor radiant heat that the Amish installed March 2024. This is one of the more popular cost questions I am asked on social media, and with good reason - in-floor radiant heat isn’t exactly a ‘common’ form of heating in everyday American homes today.

Going into the project, I knew that the radiant heat was not the cheapest option available to me. But, I wanted to go with it for a few reasons:

• It’s powered, mainly, by propane, which will cut down on my electric costs when it gets cold here

• It’s a moisture-filled form of heating, making the indoor environment much more comfortable this winter

• The moist air is better for indoor vertical farming

• Air that rises from the floor creates a steadier heat than air that’s blown out of vents placed high up in a space

• It’s energy efficient - I barely need to raise the thermostat above 55 to bring the interior barn temp up to the 70s

I knew I wanted radiant heat the moment I felt it radiate up through my boots in an Amish barn last winter. It was a bitterly cold January day… but you wouldn’t have known it by standing on that hot floor!

Additionally, watching the Amish install a radiant heating system was incredibly fascinating. I couldn’t look away. They have even branched into geothermal heating systems as well, which is something I will strongly consider if I decide to do this all over again in the future.

For those of you thinking about buying rural land, building a barndominium, living at your farm, and growing your own food, here is the honest cost details on my 74 x 36 foot barn foundation and heating system (roughly 2,600-square-feet).