Which radiant heat?

Andrew_8

I am rebuilding my bathrooms, and the floors are currently open. I had been thinking of installing hydronic underfloor heating, beneath plywood and tile, but I'm starting to waffle. We currently have hot water radiators, and in the future may put hydronic radiant heating underneath the first floor, which is strip white oak. The other option is electric radiant heat on top of the plywood, underneath the tile. Main deciding factor for me would be cost to purchase and install vs. cost to run. This would be the sole source of heat for these rooms.

Three baths to heat:
Bath #1 has about 60 s.f. of floor space, tub not included, although heat will not go under the vanity and toilet. 2nd floor, corner of the house, about 14 ft. of exterior wall, of which about half will end up insulated. Some dead attic space above part of it, ceiling will be insulated. Tile floor on plywood and Ditra.

Bath #2 has about 35 s.f. of floor space, not including walk in shower. 5' of exterior insulated wall, same dead attic above. Tile floor on plywood and Ditra.

Bath #3 has about 60 s.f. of space, inlcuding area under clawfoot tub. 3rd floor, gabled end, about 12 feet of exterior wall, next to dead attic space, part of ceiling is insulated, although I suspect part is not. It's hard to tell down the gable. I would like the floor in hear to be antique pine, although we may end up with linoleum on top of plywood subfloor.

#1 and #2 are back to back on the second floor, with #3 above bath #1.

So, which way to go?

Thanks

Unknown

Hydronic of course.

It's hard to say without looking at the place first.

Hydronics is king here.

Hydronic radiant can be alot more expensive to install. But with electric resistance "floor warming" it will cost you more to stay warm & fuzzy.


Really, you should consider lots of factors when weighing one against the next. Each type of system has unique atvantages to consider.

Either way you go, you can't go wrong with radiant in the bathrooms when done properly. Done properly being the decisive factor here.