Benefits of Radiant Heat Radiant Heat Defined Radiant Heat Applications Electric Radiant Heat vs. Hydronics Radiant Heat vs. Forced Air Radiant Floor Heating Options Electric Radiant Heating Systems vs. Hydronic Systems at a Glance Both electric and hydronic radiant heat systems have certain advantages for specific applications. The following highlights the differences between electric radiant heat and hydronic systems: A mechanical room is required to run a hyronic radiant heat system. Electric systems utilize a thermostat. Low-voltage radiant heat systems use a small transformer to convert line voltage to low voltage. Gypsum, Rau Panels, or a concrete slab is required for installing a hydronic system. Warmzone offers both hydronic and electric radiant heat systems, but it is estimated that it costs about $4.00 or more per square foot to install a hydronics in-floor heating system than it does to install an electric floor heating system. Because the FloorHeat heating element is so thin, it can be installed directly under the floor surface without any floor buildup. The polymer heating element is rolled out over the area to be heated and then nailed and/or stapled to the wood subfloor. Electric radiant heat warms your floors evenly because it uses 100% of the system's energy. A hydronic system, however, may heat the floor less effectively the further the tubing is from the boiler (see illustration below). Hydronic systems use only 65-85% of the system's energy. At higher elevations, electric radiant heat still is 100% efficient, where as hydronic systems can be less effective than at sea level. Detailed Comparison Heating System Comparison Efficiency Low-Voltage Radiant Heat System Hydronic (Hot Water) Floor Radiant Hydronic (Hot Water) Baseboard Efficiency at 100% of capacity 100% 65-85% 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 heat element 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 - Compatible with all YES NO YES Floor space required for installation (mechanical room) NO YES YES Decorating limitations for furnishings, wall coverings, etc. (no registers, grills, radiators) NO NO YES Installation and Operation - simple YES NO NO Structural building cost increases required to accommodate NO YES NO Venting required to outside and combustion air required NO YES YES Concrete required - regular or lightweight NO YES NO Remodeling Low-Voltage Radiant Heat System Hydronic (Hot Water) Floor Radiant Hydronic (Hot Water) Baseboard Retrofitability - in existing concrete or asphalt YES NO NO Retrofit into joist space effectively YES NO NO Simple modification for remodeling YES NO NO Easy and effective for large or small areas YES NO NO Minimal floor section height increase (1/8" or less) YES NO YES Health & Safety Low-Voltage Radiant Heat System Hydronic (Hot Water) Floor Radiant Hydronic (Hot Water) Baseboard Health & Medical (doesn't distribute dust, pollen, allergens through the air) YES YES YES Environmentally-friendly (Greenhouse, glycol, etc.) YES NO NO Safety (no high-voltage, no hot surfaces, no combustible gases) YES NO NO