hot water heat with owb.

Is it hard to pipe the water to the basement and run pex on the joists in the basement. I hear hot water is more comfortable and efficient. Is it a good idea to run pex on the basement joists so it heats the first floor ranch. I think I would like the comfort and hopefully it will burn less wood. If I do it this way how far apart would run the pex? six inches or a foot or two apart. Is there a better way? Thanks.