There are many ways to realize a radiant heat design in your home and to enjoy the benefits radiating sources give in the home.
The first choice you have is where to place the heat source. The two main choices are to go with radiant heat flooring, where the pipes are concealed out of site beneath the floor, or a system with radiators - usually metal and wall hanging or baseboard fitted.
There are other options including radiant ceiling heat, but these are less common.
The next choice is what fuel source to use. Again there are two main differences - if you choose one of the many commercial electric radiant heat systems on the market then the radiators (or underfloor elements) are simply hooked up to an electricity source.
All the other types are forced hot water heating systems of one sort or another. The water running round under floor or in the radiators is what gives of the heat.
The difference with these systems in in the choice of fuel. Usually we are looking at one of the big two - gas home heating boilers or oil fired home boilers. Both these sources burn hot and are cost effective solutions.
There are more unusual but quite effective options available - look into home wood fired boilers if you have a ready source of wood, since they can be very economical.