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 |