We’re in the process of major re-modeling and want to install radiant heat under tiles on basement floor, but have two opposite opinions from builder and architect. Builder suggests water radiant heat, saying that this is more energy sufficient way (regardless of increased gas prices and cost of installation and plumbing), architect suggests electric company Nuheat from Canada, easy to install and detect malfunctions. Does anyone know this company? Any word on durability of electric radiant heat in general? Location: NY, Staten Island

Water radient heat will require 3/4" PEX tubes that are buried in a layer of cement about 1 to 2 inches thick. They are hooked up to a hot water heater or the furnace, if a hot water system. The advantage of this system is that it generally needs no supplemental heat for the room its in.
The electric systems are growing by leaps and bounds. NuHeat is good. These systwm need a supplemental heat source as their primary function is to warm the floor not the room. By default the room does warm to a degree as the cold air that rests on the floor heats up when in conatact with the warm tiles. The heat is more even than a hot air system where the warm air rises rapidly as it comes out of the vent. The floor warming systems tend to warm the air more evenly.
Thwe water system will obviously be way more expensive than an electric system at start up. Whether or not you recoup that investment over the years is the big question. It should add to the resale value, more than the electric one but by how much is dependent on the buyer.
Overall the systems are technically sound, just depends on the expertise of the installer.When I put in the electric ones under tile I put a layer of self leveling cement (not cheap if a large room) about 3/8" thick over the mats to give me a smooth flat surface for the tile and also to protect the mat somewhat should a tile need to be dug up and replaced in the future.