Heating Help

Looking for a pro

@ September 5, 2010 7:52 PM in Under floor hydronic hydronic radiant heat

I am currently in the process of looking for a reputable pro to do the calcs. Problem is that I live in an area where there are really not a lot of experts on what I want to do. We do have a lot of "experts" but it seems the more I consult with them, the more confused I get. This is one of the reasons I am grateful for you guys in these forums who take the time to answer the questions that are posted

Much obliged

I agree

@ September 5, 2010 6:58 PM in Under floor hydronic hydronic radiant heat

That is true. It is true that I am not really looking for an roi. I want an efficientand affordable methosd in which to heat the kitchen. It is a small room, I already have a boiler, as far as I know (which really is not much)  what I need is  a good staple up system, some way to regulate the water temp, the pex tubing and whatever accessories may be needed. Preliminary cost s for materials seem to be around 1000 - 1500. I think it would be worth the expense for the comfort we would receive.

"Under the floor"

@ September 3, 2010 5:47 PM in Under floor hydronic hydronic radiant heat

This may be a " _____________" question, but here goes.  If I were to go with a staple up heavy plate system, would it help the convection process at all if one was to drill maybe 3/16 to 1/4" holes in the subfloor? Say maybe 6" on center. If it would help, would this cause a weakening of the structural integrity of the subfloor.  (I hope that I am using the correct terminology when I refer to the 3/4 plywood that gets nailed to the floor joists, as the sub floor.)

Under the floor

@ September 3, 2010 5:08 PM in Under floor hydronic hydronic radiant heat

How would I go about getting a detailed plan on what I need to do this job. I am told  that I have to step down the temp of the water for the plates, but I need to keep the water at the present temp for the rest of the system. Do I create a separate loop that would feed the kitchen only with its own temp control? 

"Under the floor"

@ September 3, 2010 2:36 PM in Under floor hydronic hydronic radiant heat

As I was all but convinced that on top of the sub floor would not work because of the differences in floor heights, I changed track and was looking into under the subfloor installation. I was hoping that someone would have had an answer to questions. I have now resigned my self to the idea that if I want to go with hydronic it would have to be under the subfloor.  I have also been looking into electric radiant heat mats, between the subfloor and tile, as they would only raise the floor about 1/8". Any comments?

Heavy plates

@ September 3, 2010 1:57 PM in Under floor hydronic hydronic radiant heat

Could you explain what is meant by "heavy plates" ?

Warmboard

@ September 1, 2010 5:32 PM in Under floor hydronic hydronic radiant heat

I looked into warmboard. Seems like a nice product. The problem I have though is trying to get two floors to match up to the same height. I realize that I amy never get them exact, but they at least need to be close. By the time I put warmboard down (1 1/8")
plus 1/2' cement board + 5/8" for ceramic tile, I am 1 1/2" higher than my dining room and entry way floors. I would dearly love to make this system under the tile instead of under the floor but the differences in the floor heights is to great

1/2" plywood

@ September 1, 2010 5:18 PM in Under floor hydronic hydronic radiant heat

I was a bit skeptical myself when 1/2' plywwood was suggested, but then I received a tip about using a thermal board (Upunor, I believe), and it is only 1/2' thick. I am not sure if that was installed on top of an existing 3/4" subfloor, or nailed directly to the joists.

Under floor hydronic hydronic radiant heat

@ August 31, 2010 8:22 PM in Under floor hydronic hydronic radiant heat

Kitchen remodel. We have hot water baseboard heat with a Weil McLain Gold Boiler. I want to remove the baseboard fin tubes in kitchen and utilize entire wall space for base cabinets. Our kitchen is 10 x 15. Completely gutted kitchen, spray on vapor barrier, with fiberglass insulation on all exterior walls. Ripped up subfloor to the joists, and am installing 1/2" plywood with 1/4" cement board on top. Will then be putting ceramic tile down for our new floor. What would be the BEST underfloor hydronic heating system?

I am quite new to this so if i am doing something incorrectly or if there are better suggestions to accomplish what I need, please feel free.

Thank you