Full-coverage radiant floors may not be the best choice.
The case supporting superinsulated house construction is getting another boost as fuel prices steadily increase. Construction techniques, such as structural insulated panels and insulated concrete forms, now make achieving these high R-value envelopes easier and faster than in the past. Although those who make their income installing heating systems may not admit it, it's often possible to show a better return on investment (ROI) for superinsulation upgrades to code-minimum thermal envelopes relative to spending equivalent funds on complex controls, heat sources or other hardware associated with a typical floor heating system.