Radiant heating and snow‑melt systems have become a hallmark of Bozeman’s upscale historic‑home market, where owners seek modern comfort without erasing a century‑plus aesthetic.
Renovation of a 1903 South Side Home
When a 125‑year‑old brick house in Bozeman’s South Side historic district changed hands for $2 million, the new owners commissioned a $5 million overhaul. The project, led by contractor Drew Coubrough and hydronic specialist Nathan Bailey, called for a complete gut‑out after live knob‑and‑tube wiring with scorch marks was discovered in the rafters.
“It was clear we weren’t patching anything. We had no choice but to gut the house,” Coubrough said. The structure was stripped to the studs, revealing a former steam system and virtually no insulation.
To meet the owners’ desire for both preservation and performance, the team installed spray‑foam insulation throughout the envelope and added an energy‑recovery ventilator for fresh air exchange. Hand‑painted Italian tiles, British‑made Water Monopoly fixtures, and European‑style lighting replaced the original finishes, showing the custom nature of the work.
Complex Hydronic Design
Bailey’s crew spent roughly four years configuring a multi‑zone system that blends classic cast‑iron radiators with high‑efficiency radiant tubing. The first and second floors feature filigree‑covered English radiators, while the third floor uses staple‑up radiant panels with aluminum heat‑transfer plates. In‑floor heat serves the bathrooms, mudroom and kitchen nook where radiators would not fit.
Control is handled by a Honeywell RedLINK™ network, allowing remote temperature adjustments via smartphones or a kitchen tablet. Sensors are concealed throughout the home, eliminating visible thermostats.
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Snow‑melt capability adds two independent zones: one for the rear walkway to a detached garage and another covering the front walk, sidewalk and curb. Both loops use .75‑inch PEX tubing and activate automatically to prevent snow buildup.
The property contains multiple heating zones and two snow‑melt zones, all fed from a meticulously organized mechanical room. The room also houses a 120‑gallon indirect water tank.
The basement, while technically unheated, retains a “steampunk” vibe with exposed copper piping ranging from .75 to 1.25 inch. The heat it emits keeps the space comfortable throughout the winter, offering a low‑key solution for a room that doubles as a hobby space.
The system runs silently.
From a homeowner viewpoint, the blend of historic preservation and cutting‑edge hydronics means you can enjoy a warm, quiet house without visible equipment. The remote system lets you adjust heating from a phone while the aesthetic remains untouched, preserving the original charm that drew buyers to Bozeman’s historic districts.
The renovation wrapped up in late 2025, after a patient homeowner cohort accepted the extended timeline. The completed home showcases how hydronic technology can accommodate historic renovations, delivering quiet, efficient heating that remains invisible to occupants.
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