Typical forced air systems distribute the majority of their heated air through vents at the top portion of a room. In comparison, radiant floor loops circulate pre-heated water to heat the floor from the ground up. Heating the floor creates a comfortable environment (specifically in situations where the floor covering is tile or hardwood) as well as avoiding wasted heat at the top of the room. This leads many hydronic systems to be substantially more efficient and comfortable then their forced air counterparts.
Zone control allows for radiant loops in unused rooms to be turned off, further increasing energy savings. Room temperature can also be set independently of other areas in a building.
Hydronic systems use a boiler rather than a furnace and are as a result generally quieter than forced air systems.
As a radiant system heats the actual floor surface via the circulating water loops, air circulation is avoided, which in turn cuts down on the disturbance of particles such as dust mites and pollen within the home. This can benefit allergy and asthma sufferers and avoid humidity issues.
Properly controlled hydronic systems have the capacity to provide accurately tempered water. Homes heated with a furnace systems have a tendency to drop below the desired temperature set on a thermostat before instigating a call for heat. This can lead to an undershoot/overshoot cycle where by the temperature in the house does not often hit the target. Hydronic systems attempt to avoid these hot-cold swings by distributing pre-mixed water to the zone.