Flooring products such as linoleum and carpet need to be replaced regularly and off-gas harmful fumes. Slab on grade floors last indefinitely and eliminate the need for other floor coverings. They also act as thermal mass by absorbing heat from the sun and releasing it gradually at night. Major savings come from not hiring a concrete contractor and not building a floor with floor joists, beams, subfloor, etc. Additional savings are realized with adobe floors.
Radiant heating is the most comfortable and efficient form of heating.
The floor is always warm and comfortable and the air temperature is always uniform because heat rises. Rigid insulation under the floor insures that all the heat radiates up into the home. Forced air furnaces contribute to cold and allergy problems because they create dust and dry out the air. Radiant heat is clean, safe, and quiet. The savings here come from installing it yourself which is very feasible.