If your Eichler floors are cold in spots, the boiler is losing pressure, or you notice a chalky ring on the slab, you are not alone.
Eichlers use hydronic radiant heat in the slab, which delivers beautiful comfort when it is healthy and creates headaches when it springs a leak. As a specialist remodeler, my goal is to help you choose the option that protects your home, your budget, and your comfort.
Learn why Los Altos homeowners trust our Eichler remodel expertise
Understanding Eichler Homes and Their Radiant Heating Systems
Eichler homes are slab-on-grade, post-and-beam structures with clean lines, large glass, and open plans. Most original homes used hydronic radiant floors, where a boiler circulates hot water through tubing embedded in the slab to warm the space evenly and quietly. Zoning valves or pumps regulate loops, and design choices are closely tied to floor finishes and slab details.
Why leaks happen. Decades of service, water chemistry, slab movement, and corrosion at fittings or manifolds can create pinholes. Because piping is hidden in concrete, detection requires methodical testing rather than guesswork. Pressure testing can confirm a leak is present, but technicians must isolate loops to locate the source and repair it.
Pro tip. Keep a simple log of boiler pressure, make-up water use, and zone temperatures. A week of notes helps us diagnose faster and reduces exploratory time on site.
Actionable steps.
- Locate your boiler, manifolds, and thermostat zones and label them.
- Photograph current equipment labels and piping before any work begins.
- If floors are warm but the boiler short-cycles, schedule a check-up before the heating season.
Identifying Common Signs of Radiant Heating Leaks
You may not see water on the floor. Typical signs include persistent boiler pressure loss, frequent air in the system, musty odors near base of walls, efflorescence on the slab or in the garage, and floor temperature patterns that look patchy or unusually hot in a small area. The most reliable diagnostic path uses a combination of hydrostatic pressure testing, infrared thermography with the system under load, and isolation of loops to pinpoint the source. Infrared cameras can reveal a “flaring” hot spot surrounding a leak compared to the straight lines of healthy tubing.
Pro tip. Run the system for several hours before an infrared scan so thermal patterns are clear. Move rugs and heavy furniture off suspect areas the night before.
Actionable steps.
- Shut off the auto-feed and note pressure drop over 12 to 24 hours.
- Mark persistent warm or damp areas with painter’s tape for the technician.
- Ask for a written test plan that lists the order of diagnostics and how each result narrows the search.
Option 1: Repairing Your Eichler Radiant Heat System
What a repair looks like. Once a leak is localized, we open a small area of the slab at the target, expose the pipe, repair the damaged section, then patch the concrete and flooring. Modern leak detection often blends acoustic correlation, infrared, and tracer gas methods that sniff where tiny amounts of forming gas escape through the slab. The common forming gas mix is 5 percent hydrogen and 95 percent nitrogen, which is nonflammable and highly sensitive for pinpointing leaks.
When repair makes sense.
- First-known leak on an otherwise stable system.
- The tubing holds pressure after one repair and purge.
- Floors and finishes are easy to patch discreetly.
Pros.
- Lowest first cost.
- Minimal disruption when access is clean and finishes are replaceable.
- Preserves the signature radiant comfort.
Cons.
- A second leak can appear in another loop later.
- Patching terrazzo or large-format tile may require wider-area flooring work.
- Older boilers and controls may still need attention.
Pro tip. Ask us to test system water quality and add inhibitors if compatible. Poor water chemistry can accelerate corrosion inside copper tubing.
Actionable steps.
- Request a report with photos of the leak site, repair method, and pressure test results.
- If your manifold is corroded, add isolation valves during the visit so future diagnostics are faster.
- Set a reminder to recheck system pressure one month after the repair.
Option 2: Partial Replacement of Damaged Radiant Heating Components
What “partial” means. Partial replacement can involve new manifolds, pumps, and controls, or strategic bypasses using new PEX to replace only the failed loop while keeping the rest of the slab system. It can also include upgrading an aging boiler to a high-efficiency condensing model, improving zoning, and adding air and dirt separators for reliability. Because hydronic space heating is less common in California than in colder regions, careful design, commissioning, and documentation are essential for reliable outcomes.
When to consider partial replacement.
- Recurrent leaks are confined to one area and we can route new PEX along inconspicuous paths.
- Manifolds or pumps are at end of life but most loops pressure test well.
- You plan to refresh flooring anyway, which creates clean access.
Pros.
- More durable distribution in problem zones.
- New controls enable room-by-room tuning and energy savings.
- Keeps radiant comfort while addressing weak links.
Cons.
- Costs rise if many loops need bypass.
- Boiler upgrade without distribution fixes may not solve chronic leaks.
- Mixed-age components require thorough commissioning.
Pro tip. During a boiler swap, add purge ports and flow meters on each loop. Future balancing and service become dramatically easier.
Actionable steps.
- Ask for a one-line diagram that shows every zone, valve, pump, and sensor.
- Commissioning checklist should include verified flows, delta-Ts, and a complete air purge.
- Get a parts-and-labor warranty in writing for both equipment and workmanship.
Option 3: Full Heat Pump Conversion, Is It Worth It?
A full conversion replaces the gas boiler with an electric heat pump solution. There are three common paths for Eichlers: ductless mini-splits sized and placed to respect exposed beams and glass, a central ducted heat pump with discreet chases, or an air-to-water heat pump feeding new low-temperature hydronic emitters such as radiant ceiling panels or above-slab panels during a flooring remodel. California’s 2025 Energy Code expands the use of heat pumps in new homes and encourages electric-readiness for remodels, aligning with long-term decarbonization and comfort goals.
Efficiency and comfort. Current ENERGY STAR criteria recognize high-performance models, including cold-climate units that maintain output at low outdoor temperatures. Choosing equipment that meets these benchmarks helps ensure comfort on chilly Peninsula mornings and efficient cooling in summer.
Hydronic heat pumps. Air-to-water heat pumps preserve the “feel” of radiant by circulating warm water at low temperatures to panels or new tubing above the slab. California-focused design guides emphasize correct emitter selection, low water temperatures, and careful commissioning so systems deliver the efficiency and comfort they are capable of.
Pros.
- Heating plus cooling in one system.
- Potential tax credits and state incentives that reduce net cost.
- Lower on-site carbon and no combustion inside the home.
Cons.
- Highest upfront cost when distribution must be added.
- Electrical upgrades may be required.
- Acoustics, condensate routing, and line-set paths must be planned to preserve Eichler aesthetics.
Pro tip. For mini-splits, choose heads or grilles that align with beam bays and glass rhythms. For air-to-water systems, match emitter output to low water temperatures for quiet, efficient operation.
Actionable steps.
- Ask for a room-by-room load calculation, not a rule-of-thumb system size.
- Verify condensate routes and line-set concealment details on drawings.
- Confirm equipment meets current ENERGY STAR criteria and qualifies for available incentives.
The Cost Analysis: Repair vs. Replacement vs. Conversion
Every home is different, but typical ranges can frame decisions.
Repair a localized radiant leak. Leak locating and patching in a slab often lands in the low thousands per leak when access is straightforward. National ranges commonly report a few hundred dollars on the low end to several thousand dollars where access is difficult or finishes are intricate. Use these as ballpark figures, not quotes.
Boiler replacement as part of a partial upgrade. Residential boiler replacement varies widely by capacity and efficiency. Recent national aggregates show mid four figures to low five figures for installed costs, with high-efficiency units at the upper end.
Heat pump conversion.
- Ductless or ducted air-source heat pump. Multi-zone projects in California often fall in the low to mid five figures depending on home size and layout.
- Air-to-water heat pump with new hydronic emitters. Expect a premium for hydronic distribution. Local design guides confirm the path is viable, but proper design and commissioning are essential to realize comfort and efficiency.
Operating cost and incentives. A right-sized, modern heat pump can reduce heating energy compared with older gas systems and adds cooling. Incentives can improve payback:
- Federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit. Credits equal up to 30 percent of qualified costs with annual caps, including a separate cap for heat pumps. For installations in 2025, you must report the manufacturer’s QMID on your tax form and use qualifying equipment.
- California programs. TECH Clean California currently offers statewide heat pump incentives and also serves as an access point for HEEHRA rebates for income-qualified households. Local programs change frequently, so always verify current funding with TECH and your local utility or community choice provider.
Pro tip. Before comparing options, get a load calculation and a line-item scope with alternates. Apples-to-apples proposals are the fastest way to see true value.
Actionable steps.
- Ask for two numbers on any bid, the full project and the net after confirmed incentives.
- Request a simple five-year cost-of-ownership snapshot that includes energy, maintenance, and financing if applicable.
- If electrifying, have panel capacity verified and list any electrical work separately.
Making the Right Choice for Your Eichler Home’s Comfort and Efficiency Needs
If your system is mostly healthy, repair keeps radiant comfort intact with the least disruption. If equipment and a few loops are at end of life, partial replacement modernizes weak links while protecting your floors and budget. If you want cooling, lower on-site carbon, and a long-term platform for comfort, a full heat pump conversion can make sense when designed for Eichler architecture and commissioned carefully.
When you are ready, we will walk your home, explain tradeoffs in plain language, and build the plan that fits your goals today and your maintenance horizon tomorrow. That is how we keep Eichlers comfortable, quiet, and true to their design.