Hydronic systems can use a wide variety of energy sources to heat the liquid including standard gas or oil fired boilers wood fired boilers solar water heaters or a combination of these sources.
Using a water heater for radiant heat.
It is the safest choice as well.
Radiant systems use a device such as.
This model has the most impressive flow rate it is well made and it comes with all you are going to need.
Radiant floor heat and water heater options.
Use a water heater to make radiant floor heat instead of a boiler.
The reason for this is to have the two water uses separate.
Many people use a water heater instead of a boiler for radiant floor heat because it costs less.
The best kind is one that has a sealed combustion chamber and an external heat exchanger.
For more on the different types of energy sources and heat distribution systems for home heating explore our energy saver 101 infographic on home.
However water heaters can be used for home heating aka hydronic applications or hyronic heating applications provided that the specific water heater is rated by the manufacturer as approved for that use and provided that the heater is being used for small heating loads of 75 000 btuh or less.
Certainly cost is important but there are many other important factors as well.
As such we rate it with 5 stars out of 5.
The water heater to use with radiant floor heating should be a high efficiency unit.
A hot water heater saves money when used in this way.
Radiant heating systems provide even heat that warms people and objects as the heat rises from the floor.
You will need to make a few modifications to the heater and have knowledge of basic plumbing techniques.
The best tankless water heater for radiant floor heat is the takagi th3 natural gas.
Most radiant heating installations use a boiler to heat the water but a simple hot water heater can do the job and save you several hundred to a few thousand dollars.
But if you re game for a minor plumbing adventure and want an on demand unit that is one of the most efficient heaters on.