Radiant floor heating is becoming more and more popular with each passing year. And, for several good reasons. For starters, getting a standard or a tankless water heater for radiant floor heat can be an incredibly economical move, and it will end up saving you a lot of money. Also, if that wasn’t enough, water heating is incredibly convenient and capable of distributing the heat perfectly evenly. And, lastly, if you have ever been to a home that uses radiant floor heating, you know how good it feels. The simple fact that the floors are always warm is one of the best things you can experience during a cold winter.
And, if you are aiming for that incredible heating experience, you are probably wondering which heater you should get. Well, tankless water heaters for radiant floor heat are probably the best way to go in our opinion, for various reasons. Let’s quickly go over the advantages of a tankless heater when you compare it to the standard one.
First of all, tankless water heaters work instantly. That means that you don’t have to have them running non-stop. Instead, you can turn your water heater on and get the hot water when you need it. Additionally, all of the modern tankless water heaters have excellent temperature sensors and heat exchangers. Those sensors work with the heater’s computer to prevent overheating or underheating of the water. And, that allows water heaters to accomplish tasks that standard heaters simply can’t.
Furthermore, if you do the radiant floor heating system design well, you can manage everything with your home’s thermostat and significantly cut down on your energy expenses.
Of course, the next big question is probably going to be about finding the best tankless heater for yourself. Well, to help you out with that, we have made a short list featuring our top three tankless water heaters for radiant floor heat.
| Features | Specifications | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Ecosmart 18 | 2.5 gallons per minute | 19.8 x 16 x 6.4 inches | More Details |
 Takagi T-H3-DV-N | 10 gallons per minute 199,000 BTU | 11.2 x 17.8 x 24.9 inches | More Details |
Editor’s Top Pick – Ecosmart 18 Electric Tankless Water Heater
We couldn’t make a top list of water heaters without mentioning Ecosmart. Overall, it is one of the companies that strive to provide the ideal user experience. And, Ecosmart 18 is one of their best electric tankless water heaters for radiant heating. Now, this electric heater is not as powerful as the Takagi, but it will supply more than enough water for an average home. But, first, let’s quickly visit the unboxing experience.
The first thing that you will notice is how light it is. In overall size, this heater is about as big as the Takagi. The outer dimensions are 19.8x16x6.4, but the weight is only 14 pounds. And, that makes it a lot easier to install.
However, once again, it is not as powerful as the Takagi T-KJ2-IN-NG gas floor heater. In fact, this machine will heat up around 2.5 gallons of water per minute. In our experience, that is about enough to run a dishwasher and a shower at the same time. Unfortunately, if you are a part of a bigger family that lives together, this heater is probably not enough. Of course, if you live in a warmer climate where the typical water temperature is above 70 degrees, you can run two showers with no issues.
When it comes to installation, you should make sure to have the minimum panel for it. Namely, it requires an electrical panel that supports at least 150 amps. For plumbing, you should stick to three-quarter inch NPT connections.
But, back to the size for now. Here is the thing – if you live alone in a small apartment, this is the best device for you. It doesn’t take up any space, especially if you compare it to a traditional heater.
The next feature we would like to talk about is the high-tech control module. You can adjust your water temperature to perfection with little to no effort. In fact, you don’t even have to do it yourself. The system has the capability of self-adjustment according to the requirements. And, of course, one quick look at the digital display will show you the current settings.
Pros
Pros
- This electric on-demand heater will save you a lot of money in heating bills. If you already use conventional heaters, you could see an improvement of up to 60%
- Easy to install thanks to the simplicity of the system
- Perfect for small families
Cons
Cons
- The flow rate could be better. If you don’t live in a warm climate, 2.5GPM simply might not cut it
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Takagi T-H3-DV-N Condensing Indoor Tankless Water Heater
It’s no surprise that we are love Takagi’s heaters. After all, they are outstanding pieces of heating equipment. And, the T-H3-DV-N came to be as an upgrade to the previous unit we spoke about. That means that this unit can handle much more in terms of heating. However, it is definitely larger than the T-Kjr2. Namely, the outer dimensions are 11.2×17.8×25 inches, and it weighs in at around 60 pounds.
But, it does come with several benefits. First of them is the fact that it boasts an incredible water flow of up to 10GPM. Also, it provides that flow and heats with the maximum gas intake of almost 200,000 BTU.
Naturally, we also took a look at the safety features. They include the overheat, surge and freeze protection, just like the previous model we spoke of. Also, this device offers troubleshooting to the user. And, the warranty is even better than the previous one. You get an amazing 15-year warranty for your heat exchanger.
Pros
Pros
- Both the water flow and the heating potential of this unit are outstanding
- When it comes to using a hot water heater for radiant heat, there is no beating this model
- 15-year warranty
Cons
Cons
- It comes with a hefty price tag
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Conclusion
In the end, the choice is all yours. However, if you are looking for a tankless water heater for radiant floor heat, these are the best choices you can hope to find. Our editor’s top pick is definitely the Ecosmart due to the energy saving potential it offers. However, you might prefer the energy saving potential of the Ecosmart or the raw power of the H3 over it. We hope our reviews will help you make your decision.
