Is Radiant Heat For You?There are several ways to use Radiant Heat. In a minute I'll describe some of them but first let me take a quick stroll down memory lane. Some of us "Baby Boomers" might remember the old Steam Radiators. I had friends growing up that lived in apartments that had steam heat and I can remember the noise they made. The other thing I recall is that it always seemed warmer than it had to be. I guess trying to heat so many units made it hard to control the radiators back then.
Using electric to do this is expensive but if you are adding on a small area and it will cost more to add duct-work then you might consider it. This application is also not very cost effective and should only be used as a backup heating system. 
It can be placed in a concrete slab or on top of a sub-floor under ceramic tile, carpeting, or hardwood flooring. If your utility company offers lower nightly rates for electricity it can make this type more attractive. 
In the last ten years or so this type of plastic pipe has become popular for home plumbing as well. It is inexpensive compared to copper and easier to install. The tubing can be installed in concrete, under a wood sub-floor in a basement or over a sub-floor with a thin coat of gypsum over top. No matter how you install the tubing it needs to have insulation under it to direct the heat upwards. It could be Foil Bubble Insulation, Aluminum Shields, or Rigid Styrofoam. 
This type of in floor heating uses water. Note that if a chance of the pex freezing exists a food grade Propylene Glycol mix may be necessary. The water is heated, then it is circulated through the pex using a pump,control, and a thermostat. Different rooms can be zoned off so the temperature can be regulated. Additional zone control valves may be needed.
It is not as complicated as it sounds and do it yourself radiant heat is becoming popular. If you decide to try it you will need pex tools like a crimper. You can buy the different sizes (1/2"-3/4"-1" etc.) or use a crimp ring that will work with just one tool. Pex fittings are sold where you buy your tubing as well as manufactured Pex Manifolds.
When it comes to heating the water you have several choices. A general rule of thumb is 20 BTUs per square foot. If you are heating 1,000 square feet you will need a heat source that puts out at least 20,000 BTUs per hour.Your average electric hot water heater will not handle this demand. Here are a few alternatives. A gas or propane boiler. In most states over 99,000 BTUs boilers require a license to install. Check local codes. These also can be expensive but may be necessary if you are heating a large home. A Geothermal Heat Pump using a de-superheater can produce hot water for radiant heat. One thing to keep in mind is that this is a dedicated system, meaning when the rest of the house (not heated by the radiant) calls for heat the system will not heat water sufficient to run the radiant. If you are heating a smaller area a Tankless Water Heater can do a good job. Just do your homework and pick one that is designed to handle the job. Solar Thermal can work but plenty of storage is required because it only heats water during the day. Then there is the problem of having way to much hot water in the summer. If you have a pool or hot tub you can heat it using a separate heat exchanger. If you decide to go this route consult a plumber. If you are building new it is always a good idea to do heat loss calculations or have a professional help you there. Your HVAC man will probably have a program he uses and would most likely be willing to share his information.
It is comfortable heat that does not stir up dust, which is great news if you have allergies. This is just another alternative to consider to heat your home.
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