What is the cheapest mode of infloor heating for the long term?

Question

I am trying to avoid a boiler with all of the electronic gadgets that can fail. I am either going to use a water heater or a plain Jane boiler. Please help.

Answer 1

If you have your heart set on in floor heating, the most cost effective to operate are the on demand type boilers. They only are on when there is a demand for heat.

However if you want cost effective heating, in floor is not usually the way to go. It does not work well with wood floors, or floors covered by carpets and such. You are actually heating the water, then the floor, then the air. every time you change the things you are heating, there is a loss of efficiency. If you like hot water heat, go with the modern baseboard radiators. the modern ones are effective and relatively efficient. When coupled with an on demand only boiler, they do quite well. You should consider on demand only water heaters for household needs too. I know for sure they make them for electric, natural gas and propane. I have heard of some that use heating oil, but have no experience with them. good luck.