Radiator vs. Baseboard - Which is Best Heat?

ALH_4

Not much output from the radiant baseboard. Be careful of the heat loss of the room, and be aware of high temperatures required to get much output.

I recommend steel panel rads. <a href="http://www.veha.com/">VEHA</a> makes nice radiators that are resonably priced.

-Andrew

George J

Radiator vs. Baseboard - Which is best heat

I am hoping there is some science to help answer this question. I am adding hot water heat to a new addition. House had forced air and biggest issue was hot and cold spots and hot air at ceiling - cold at floor. I cannot afford to do radiant floor heat.

Between baseboard and radiators, which gives the most even heat? If it is baseboard is cast iron worth the extra money compared to metal fin? If it is radiator is a recessed cast iron raditor or the new panel radiator better?

Any additional information on helping me decide is appreciated. Thanks.

Boilerpro_3

What to look for

For the best comfort and efficiency, you generally want the highest percentage of radiant heat. After radiant floor, I'd look to radiant ceiling or walls, then radiant baseboard, radiant wall panels, old cast iron radiators, then finned tube baseboard (predominantly air heating) and then cabinet cnvectors. With the radiant choices the lower the radiant suraface temp the better, as low temp radiant minimizes air convection. Low temp fintube baseboard can work well too. And for any choice Thermostatic radiator valves and outdoor reset for best performance.

Boilerpro

Brad White_33

Ditto

Point for point, Boilerpro nailed it. And in order too!

George J

What is "radiant baseboard"? The only baseboard I know is aluminim fin on copper pipe type. I have heard there is baseboard made of cast iron but have never seen it. Is cast iron baseboard same as radiant baseboard?

Ron Schroeder

George

Take look gives a good view

http://www.aimradiantheating.com/store/slimline.html

Boilerpro_3

Types

Cast iron is the old standard (burnham and weil mclain), but there are new types of welded steel. I'd look for the new types from the makers of radiant wall panels.

Boilerpro

Ted_9

Price wise and comfort and control wise, go with European panel rads.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

George J

Bruce,

Thank you very much. This is the best looking base board I have ever seen. Big problem w/ hot water heat for my wife to come to terms with has been looking at the hardware. This really seems to blend in. So, help me some more. Have you used this specific manufacturer's product? Are there even better products to consider? One concern I have w/ new technology is that if the company folds where can I get replacement parts? Tell me this is not a concern...

Joe Brix

If price is an issue

Try to put in as much high output copper fin tube that you can. With extra radiation you can run at a lower water temp (140-150 degrees) This saves money and you hear little if any noise from the copper fin tube expansion.

GusHerb

radiator link

heres a link for european rads .http://www.houseneeds.com/shop/atop/heatersbaseboardradiantindex.asp

B. Tice

Heating

I like Joe's suggestion. If you can't afford radiant, you probably can't afford cast iron baseboard. Excess standard baseboards at low temps is a good low cost way to go.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Ted_9

Like I said, European panels are reasonably priced and offer so much more than copper fin.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Unknown

It's good to look at the btu output of each product. One would assume that cast iron baseboard has a higher btu out put then some baseboard, where infact the opposite is true. Slant Fin # 80 baseboard is higher than cast iron. It all depends on what kind of system you want. Once a choice is made, dicide accordingly.