Low-Voltage Radiant vs. Hydronics Radiant (Hot Water)
Electric radiant heat warms your floors evenly throughout 100% of the system's
coverage. Hydronic systems warms a maximum of 85 - 90% of the system's
coverage in best case scenerios. Hydronic systems heat the floor less the further
away the hot water mix gets from the boiler. (see illustration below). Unattended systems may also require a Glycol mix to prevent freeze up if system failure occurs.
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Fact-Based Comparison Heating System Comparison |
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| Efficiency |
Low-Voltage Radiant Heat System |
Hydronic (Hot Water) Floor Radiant |
Hydronic (Hot Water) Baseboard |
| Efficiency at 100% of capacity | 100% | 65-90% | 65-85% |
| Efficiency at 50% of capacity | 100% | 35-65% | 35-65% |
| Efficient - relative thermal | 100% | 100% | 50-75% |
| 100% of energy is delivered to usable floor space | YES | NO | NO |
| Proper sized capacity of "Off Peak" conditions | YES | NO | NO |
| Maintenance |
Low-Voltage Radiant Heat System |
Hydronic (Hot Water) Floor Radiant |
Hydronic (Hot Water) Baseboard |
| Annual Maintenance Required - filters to clean or change | NO | YES | YES |
| Easy to repair | YES | NO | NO |
| Controls - simple and reliable | YES | NO | NO |
| Cost Savings |
Low-Voltage Radiant Heat System |
Hydronic (Hot Water) Floor Radiant |
Hydronic (Hot Water) Baseboard |
| Expandable - easily and economically | YES | NO | NO |
| Floor covering - Compatibility without restructuring the design | YES | NO | YES |
| Floor space required for installation (mechanical room) | NO | YES | YES |
| Need for registers, grills, radiators | NO | NO | YES |
| Installation and Operation - simple | YES | NO | NO |
| Structural building cost increases required to accommodate | NO | Variable | NO |
| Venting required to outside and combustion air required | NO | YES | YES |
| Concrete or Thinset required | NO | Variable | NO |
| Remodeling |
Low-Voltage Radiant Heat System |
Hydronic (Hot Water) Floor Radiant |
Hydronic (Hot Water) Baseboard |
| Retrofitability - in existing concrete | YES | NO | NO |
| Retrofit into joist space effectively | YES | Variable | NO |
| Simple modification for remodeling | YES | NO | NO |
| Easy and effective for large or small areas | YES | NO | NO |
| Increase floor height more than 1/16" | NO | YES | NO |
| Health & Safety |
Low-Voltage Radiant Heat System |
Hydronic (Hot Water) Floor Radiant |
Hydronic (Hot Water) Baseboard |
| Distributes dust, pollen, allergens through the air | NO | NO | YES |
| Can contain Glycol (Poison) | NO | YES | YES |
| Safety, possibility of exposed high voltage | NO | Variable | Variable |