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
|
Forced
Air & Gas
Heating System |
Hydronic
(Hot Water)
Baseboard |
Expandable
- easily and econimcally
|
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 |
NO |
NO |
Venting
required to outside and combustion air required
|
NO |
YES |
YES |
Concrete
required - regular or lightweight
|
NO |
NO |
NO |
Remodeling
|
Low-Voltage
Radiant Heat System
|
Hydronic
(Hot Water)
Floor Radiant |
Hydronic
(Hot Water)
Baseboard |
Retrofitability
- in existing concrete or ashpalt
|
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 |
YES |
YES |
Health & Safety
|
Low-Voltage
Radiant Heat System
|
Hydronic
(Hot Water)
Floor Radiant |
Hydronic
(Hot Water)
Baseboard |
Health & Medical
(doesn't distribute dust, pollen, allergyns through
the air)
|
YES |
NO |
YES |
Environmentally-friendly
(Greenhouse, glycol, etc.)
|
YES |
NO |
NO |
Safety
(no high-voltage, no hot surfaces, no combustible
gases)
|
YES |
NO |
NO |
