But it really doesn’t have to be that way, there are an ever increasing number of clever and unique designs on the market for radiators, and they’re becoming more readily available to everyday people at large retail stores. Radiator art? Not as far out as it may sound. Lets face it, if you’re going to have a huge chunk of hot metal in your living room, you may as well make it attractive too, even eye catching and interesting.

Radiators have been appearing in design magazines and blogs for some time now, but its only recently that they became available to regular people at regular prices. Designer and unique radiators do not always have to be cutting edge either, there’s an increasing demand for reclaimed and reproduction ‘retro radiators’, basically anything to get away from the run of the mill we’ve all become accustomed to.

This post includes some extreme examples, no doubt we’ll feature more, in more depth, at Hyrdonic Heat in the not too distant future.

The advantages of electric radiant heating when compared to hydronic are really three fold.

Installation ‘after the fact’ can be easier with electric. Due to the nature of hydronic heat and the piping required to be embedded under heated floors, electric under floor radiant heating can be much less complicated to fit in a house after the main heating system is in place, for example in a refurbished room (who wouldn’t want a warm bathroom or bedroom floor) or for an extension.

Instant heat, less waste. When you switch on electrically heated floors the heat is more quickly felt, due to the fact that the water in a hydronic system is heated as it passes around the system, which takes time, then it heats the floor, which then heats the room. Electric systems are much faster to warm up. They also cool faster, which can mean less wasted heat and energy, therefore reduced heating bills.

Better for small rooms, as above with installation in extensions or refurbished rooms, electric floor heating can be more cost effective in smaller spaces, not only due to the nature of the heating, but because the cost of an electric system is steady, but hydronic heating systems value increases with the size of the area you need to heat. Meaning for larger spaces and whole house heating systems, hydronic often offers better value.

In short, electric radiant heating offers low start up cost, fast heat and great levels of control. Hyrdonic heat on the other hand offers greater value in larger installations and a more stable heat supply over time, and more flexibility with regards of energy supply.

For starters, radiant heating systems are quieter than a forced air system, the only source of noise you will tend to notice will be the pump and boiler, and if positioned with consideration this should not be an issue in itself.

Hydronic heat systems, particularly under floor heating, warms objects as much as it does the air, this means you don’t loose all the heat when you (or some inconsiderate so-and-so) opens a door or window and lets out all the ‘warm air’.

Heated floors feel great. When you crawl out of bed or leap out of the shower you just cant beat the feeling of a warm floor under your feet. Once you’ve experienced this advantage you’ll never, ever want to lose it!

Radiant heating systems are generally the most efficient way of heating your home, although this can vary from situation to situation and different installation and fuel types. Again the main reason for this is the way heat is dissipated and stored, rather than blown around a property.

Unlike warm air systems hydronic heat systems to not blow around dust or allergens in the home, for those with asthma, hayfever and other allergies this can be a real godsend, and could offer fantastic every day health benefits.

Hydronic heat systems are also flexible in the variety of heat sources that can be used to warm the water in the system from gas heaters and boilers, electric boilers, the increasingly popular wood boiler as well as solar and geothermal energy in hydronic pump systems.

Hydronic under floor heating doesn’t waste energy heating the air above your heads. Warmer air rises, so heating from the ground up makes perfect sense. It keeps you and your family cosy, but doesn’t heat the room above your heads so much.

As you can see there are many pros to the various hydronic heat systems available, and we’ll be looking at them all in the future.