Eichler radiant floors can often be kept running with boiler, pump and control repairs. When slab pipes leak in several places, the realistic choices are re-routing heat through new overhead or wall loops, converting to an air-to-water heat pump on healthy loops, or switching to ductless heat pumps that also add cooling. A pressure test is the first step.
Start with the right diagnosis
Most Eichler owners worry about the slab when the real problem is the boiler, a circulator pump or a control. Before assuming the worst, have the whole system checked:
- Boiler and burner (or water heater, in some homes)
- Circulator pumps and zone valves
- Expansion tank and pressure relief valve
- Thermostats and controls
- Loop pressure test to see whether any slab loop is losing water
Signs the slab loops are leaking
- The boiler pressure gauge keeps falling
- You or a previous owner regularly add water
- A floor spot stays warm with the heat off
- Unexplained water bill increases
- Damp spots or cracked flooring
Your options, honestly compared
| Option | Keeps radiant feel | Adds cooling | Disruption | Best when |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Repair boiler, pumps, controls | Yes | No | Low | Slab loops hold pressure |
| Spot repair a slab leak | Yes | No | Moderate | One isolated leak |
| Air-to-water heat pump on existing loops | Yes | Possible with some systems | Moderate | Loops healthy, want to drop gas |
| New overhead or wall radiant panels | Similar | No | Moderate to high | Slab loops failing, want radiant comfort |
| Ductless heat pumps for heat and cooling | No | Yes | Low to moderate | Loops failing, want cooling too |
The cooling question
Eichlers have glass walls, flat roofs and little attic space. If you want air conditioning, ductless mini-splits are the most practical path. Many owners keep radiant for winter and add ductless just for summer. Others with failing slabs use ductless for both, which is very workable in Palo Alto’s mild winters.
Rebates
If you replace a gas boiler with a heat pump (air-to-water or ductless), you may qualify for the City of Palo Alto Utilities Heat Pump HVAC rebate. See the CPAU rebate guide.
Neighborhood notes
We work across Palo Alto’s Eichler neighborhoods, including Greenmeadow and Fairmeadow. Learn more on our radiant heating service page.
What a radiant system checkup includes
- Boiler inspection: burner, heat exchanger, venting and carbon monoxide test on gas units
- Circulator pumps and zone valves: operation, noise and electrical draw
- Expansion tank and relief valve: pressure and function
- Loop pressure test: each zone isolated to see which, if any, lose water
- Thermal imaging: warm spots that suggest a leak location
- Controls: thermostats, outdoor reset and wiring
Questions to ask before you decide
- How much water does the system lose per week?
- Is the leak isolated to one loop or several?
- How old is the boiler, and is it near replacement anyway?
- Do you want summer cooling as part of the plan?
- How long do you plan to stay in the home?
ComfortFlow HVAC Palo Alto uses those answers to compare repair, an air-to-water heat pump and a ductless conversion on cost, comfort and disruption, so you can choose the path that fits your home and timeline.