On 26/10/2020 22:28, NY wrote:
I'm sure ducted-air technology (insulation of ducts, efficiency of
boiler) has improved a *lot* in 50 years, but can it *really* heat a
house up as quickly and to such a high temperature as hot-water
radiators (fed from a boiler that is powered by whatever fuel is
currently not condemned)?

Oh yes. And much quicker too. As any large supermarket demonstrates.

But that means a high peak power and it is always a bit noisy.
Simply put wet radiators are adequate, cheap and quiet for reasonably
high water temps. At lower temps UFH allows a greater 'radiator' surface
area and is more even in its heating, but is an impossible retrofit in
most cases.

But it is pretty cheap on new builds. The cost of laying plastic pipe in
screed or between joists is no worse than running copper.


--
€œPuritanism: The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy.€�

H.L. Mencken, A Mencken Chrestomathy