Heat Distribution

Radiant floor heating ¹ systems come in two varieties: a boiler-based hydronic system and an electric coil system. The heat source for a hydronic radiant floor system is a boiler centrally located in the home. The heat the boiler produces is transferred to PEX tubing carrying hot water beneath the home’s flooring. If electric power is used, heating coils are located beneath the floor instead. Electric systems are best used as an add-on in a specific room or area, such as in a small bathroom or near a vanity, whereas hydronic systems are intended to heat an entire house. Because the coils or tubing are spread throughout the room under the floor, the room is more evenly heated. However, the radiant system makes heating a cold room a slower process. Once the heat rises from the floor, the room will remain warm longer than with baseboard heat.

The heat in baseboard systems can be produced by a boiler or by electric elements in each baseboard unit. Baseboard units produce heat concentrated around the exterior walls of the home in order to provide a cushion of warm air between the frigid outdoors and the home’s interior. In order to maintain this warmth, baseboard heaters must be carefully spaced beneath each window and along exterior walls.

Most baseboard systems are controlled by thermostats ² in each room, allowing the homeowner to distribute heat only where it is needed. On the other hand, radiant floor systems are sometimes controlled by a central thermostat. A more expensive option can give control to each room.

Floor Covering

You will have several considerations to make when choosing a flooring material to use with your radiant heat system. Non-insulating, man made floors such as tile or laminate will give you the best, most consistent heat. However, it is possible to use other materials like carpet or wood if you choose your flooring carefully. Choose a carpet with a high density, low R-value pad to help transmit the most heat, and install these rooms on a separate thermostat, as more energy will be required to heat the rooms through the carpeting. Look for very stable wood floors, such as engineered hardwood or quarter-sawn planks that are 3-inches or less in width to use with your radiant heat system. Because the heat may dry out the floor, using softwoods or wide planks may cause the floors to cup or buckle over time.

You can use baseboard heaters with any type of flooring, including carpeting and hardwood, without worrying about the source.

Energy Efficiency

Because a boiler can be powered by a variety of sources, the homeowner can choose the most efficient fuel in the part of the country where the home is located. Also, a boiler-based system can be highly efficient depending on the type of boiler. A combination, condensing, or wood-burning boiler gives the best efficiency ratings.

Heat rises from the floor in radiant floor systems, which means the lower part of the room where people reside is heated, allowing the residents to keep the thermostat lower. Scientific American quotes TLC’s Green Living Guide to say that this system is a better choice for a home with smaller rooms and lower ceilings. Its day-to-day efficiency may not compete with other types of heating in a large, open home.

Baseboard heating is most effective in rooms with large windows in cold climates, but the cost of running an electric unit is much higher. Baseboard heating works most efficiently in spaces from 50 to 200 square feet. In addition, electric units will produce more heat, more quickly, which makes it a better choice if the homeowner wants to heat a room rapidly but not constantly. On the other hand, electric baseboard heaters turn on and off using a thermostat. Hot water baseboard units give a constant flow of warmth similar to radiant floor heating.

Resale Value

Hydronic radiant floor heating may increase a home’s resale value. This should be carefully researched in your local real estate market, however, since the installation of a system is so expensive. The expense may not pay off when the home sells. Baseboard heating does not affect the resale value of the home.

Allergies

Radiant floor systems and hydronic baseboard systems are the preferred choices for allergies since they are closed systems. No allergens or other irritants will be circulated during the heating cycle.