Traditional radiators function primarily through convection rather than direct radiation. They heat the surrounding air to around 65–75ºC, which then rises toward the ceiling, cools, and sinks again, creating a continuous circulation of warm and cool air.
In contrast, underfloor radiant heating—whether electric or hydronic—operates more efficiently by warming the floor and surrounding surfaces first. This method requires lower operating temperatures and significantly less energy compared to conventional radiator-based systems.