Choosing the Right Design Software for Radiant Floor (Underfloor) Heating Systems

Once seen as a specific add-on, radiant floor (underfloor) heating systems are gaining in popularity and recognition for their optimal heating performance in many different kinds of spaces. As projects get larger and more complex, designers are facing increasing challenges. Improving performance, ensuring compliance with codes, and constant architectural changes are just a few. This time drain on the design engineer often limits their productivity and the ability to engage new projects. 

Designers who want to keep up with changing client demand for such systems should consider adopting a software platform that supports and enhances their workflow, allowing them to turn over accurate, flexible designs that wow clients and win projects. 

But how does one choose the best platform for radiant floor heating design? The ideal platform should transform the design workflow and speed it up to match the pace of modern projects. It should also be a reliable, vetted source of calculation and configuration data for all stakeholders on a project. Finally, it should generate an array of deal-advancing outputs, including branded renderings and accurate BOMs.

Currently, the design platform market is divided between familiar tools with limited updates like LoopCAD, and newer design platforms like h2x. Read on for a performance breakdown for h2x and LoopCAD across four categories: Design Features, User Experience, Support, and User Ratings and Satisfaction.

h2x vs. LoopCAD Comparison Table

Design Features

LoopCAD

When selecting a platform for radiant floor (underfloor) heating design, look for robust automation features that actually save you time. Older products like LoopCAD haven’t kept up with the pace of change in the industry. This may seem acceptable to some, especially those who are used to doing a lot of manual calculations and configurations. Familiarity can feel good at first, but it cannot meaningfully transform your workflow. Working in a legacy program can present several limitations, including:

• Often only one design category (e.g., radiant floor/underfloor heating) per platform
• Loop generation only fits the geometry of the space defined by the user
• Transit pipes and rooms requiring multiple loops must be manually configured and drawn
• Traditional HVAC calculation workflow, including manual heat loss calculations
• Fewer output options, primarily lists of materials and radiant reports; very few 3D rendering options
• Load calculations are time consuming and can’t always be trusted to be compliant

LoopCAD remains a solid, established desktop tool with preloaded manufacturer data for many radiant systems (ideal for straightforward residential or snowmelt projects), but it hasn’t kept pace with modern automation needs.

h2x

For years, h2x has been considered the best-in-class platform for the automation of radiant floor (underfloor) heating design projects. This is not surprising, as it was designed by engineers who had experienced the same issues and problems that existed with legacy products.

Using a modern platform like h2x brings the power of advanced, transparent automation to your underfloor heating (UFH) design projects. What this looks like from a user’s experience is a faster, more accurate workflow with “one-click” upgrade that automatically calculates spacing based on heat loss and brings a project to life for clients:

• The h2x platform offers a state-of-the-art radiant heating system design tool as part of an all-in-one MEP design platform
• One-click full system sizing and updates, as well as automated optimal loop design
• Fully automated loop splitting and transit pipe design that automatically takes the shortest path (but which can be custom-built to accommodate other design preferences and priorities)
• h2x load calculations are generated in real time and are CIBSE compliant, followed to ASHRAE methods, and EN 1264 aligned
• 3D view mode lets you switch to a 3D render at any stage to see the system
• Outputs include high-impact drawings, reports, BOMs, and CAD/BIM exports

A 2D and 3D look at radiant floor (underfloor) heating in h2x design software.

User Experience

LoopCAD

Older programs like LoopCAD yield a “legacy” user experience that doesn’t fit with how design work gets done today. More than ever, designers are:

• Working on multiple devices across multiple locations
• Expected to turn designs around faster and change designs more frequently
• Looking to learn new technologies – including AI-assisted technologies – quickly and with the right level of support and tailoring

h2x

A modern, cloud-based program like h2x meets designers where they’re at and delivers an intuitive, responsive user experience. Rather than downloading a Windows desktop application to a single desktop device, users can access h2x from the cloud and across any device with a keyboard and mouse. h2x is an advanced platform that is easy to learn, thanks to custom training support that is built around how a user needs the platform to work for them. Most importantly, h2x enables users to generate designs two times faster than software with limited updates like LoopCAD.

See h2x’s radiant floor (underfloor) heating tools in action. Watch a recorded demo or book a call to see how h2x’s one-click automation, real-time calculations, and 3D rendering can transform your design workflow.

Support

Adopting a new design platform means committing time and effort to learning the ins and outs of all of the platform’s features. There are a number of different resources – synchronous and asynchronous, text-based, video-based, chat-based – that companies can make available to support platform adoption and training. Choosing a platform with the right amount and type of onboarding support is crucial.

h2x

This is where h2x shines: the signature white glove onboarding experience is a fully fledged, custom training program including live and pre-recorded webinars, well-timed calls with technical experts, and responsive customer support. h2x offers fast, personal support via live chat tools, email responsiveness, and guided demos, and backs it up with modern tutorials and documentation so new users can keep reading and building their comfort with the platform.

h2x’s top-tier onboarding program includes a welcome call and implementation call, followed by custom training calls and sessions designed to support your team’s specific needs and use cases. Users can modify their own learning as well, with access to h2x Uni training and certificate modules, pre-recorded webinars and short videos, and the h2x user guide. h2x allows users to send in specific design projects to do a project review and offers check-in calls, or even quarterly business reviews. Finally, for when the unexpected occurs, h2x offers the HelpHub, where users can ask a question and follow up with a technical support contact from h2x.

LoopCAD

LoopCAD may only offer limited chat options and access to one or two training webinars. This may not be enough support. Users who find themselves troubleshooting on their own may find it challenging to fully take ownership of the platform and continue to use it for years to come.

User Ratings and Satisfaction

One way to determine a platform’s quality is to consult user reviews, particularly on a trusted, collected site like Capterra, the web’s go-to site for software reviews. It’s also important to note whether and how companies respond to user feedback on their platform. Ideally, companies will engage with user reviews and feedback and use it to make enhancements to their platform.

LoopCAD

LoopCAD has no verified ratings on any major review platforms.

h2x

h2x has a 4.8 user rating and a 4.6 rating for Ease of Use on Capterra. Reviewers offer the following praise:

• “Once you use it, you will never look back”
• “h2x is so simple to use, but gives complex results!”
• “Brilliant software!”
• “Great customer service and help”

Comments and reviews like these signal h2x’s growing popularity and high-value functionality.

h2x vs LoopCAD: Which Radiant Floor (Underfloor) Heating Design Software is Right for You

The right software can transform the radiant floor heating design process and enable you to take on bigger, more complex builds and win more projects. While a modern, cloud-based platform like h2x may be the less familiar choice, the workflow benefits are significant.

h2x is best suited for MEP firms handling large or multi-system projects, whereas LoopCAD may suit those working on smaller, standalone radiant floor jobs who don’t require cloud access.

For more information, download our one-pager comparison infographic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of design software for radiant floor (underfloor) heating systems?

Radiant floor heating system design software typically encompasses limited desktop programs like LoopCAD and modern, cloud-based programs like h2x. Both programs work alongside BIM platforms like Revit to add radiant floor heating calculations and configurations to a design project.

How does the adoption of design software affect radiant floor heating system design?

Choosing to adopt new software for underfloor heating system design can enable design teams to complete designs and re-designs faster and with reliable accuracy. They can also generate models, reports, BOMs and other documents to advance the design process and communicate with clients.

What engineering software do engineers use to design underfloor heating systems?

Cloud-based software platforms like h2x help engineers design radiant floor heating systems faster and with engineering-grade accuracy. h2x offers best-in-class automation tools that turn out real-time calculations that are CIBSE compliant, follow ASHRAE methods, and EN 1264 aligned.

How can modern design software reduce inefficiencies and mistakes that slow down the design process for radiant floor heating systems?

Unlike legacy programs, modern software platforms like h2x allow designers to generate real-time calculations automatically, rather than having to do manual calcs and manually enter or sync data across different files. Automation transforms the design workflow and optimizes the steps where errors are most likely to be introduced and where design projects often get stalled.

Ready to explore h2x for radiant floor (underfloor) heating design? Watch a recorded demo or book a call with our team today to see the tool in action!