Heating Help

Status update

@ February 1, 2012 10:51 AM in Where to start?

So I spoke with a local designer/installer and they even came out and did a walk through with me. These guys seem good, they have some decent references/awards on their website and I got a great feeling from them. They saw all the work I was doing with building the new house and understood I wanted to do as much of the grunt labor as I could for budget reasons. I would run all the pex loops, and Tstat wires along with elec, water and propane lines to the specified location and they would handle the rest. However, I was floored by the price quote that was comparable to a high end automobile and that was with me doing most of the grunt work.

After I got the quote, I asked as a plan B, if I could hire them to design a system for me that I would install. They didnt go for it .

Are there designers out there or is that like going out to diner and asking the chef if you can make your own meal?

I do know what boiler, water tank and many parts they planned to use from the quote. But what I dont know is how to tie it all together. Is there a resource out there to to help illustrate how these components all go together properly (circulators, check valves, manifolds, ect)?

I'm starting to get it.

@ January 28, 2012 7:35 PM in Aluminum distribution Plates?

The pex and plates will be in the joist bays between the basement and the 1st floor. The first floor will have 3 different zones and controls. The basement will be an additional zone with its own Tstat. About half of the basement will be finished in the future while the other half will be used as storage. I only ran pex in the concrete to the portion i plan to finish. So if I am reading you guys correctly the pex and plates in the joist bays over the future finished basement should get R19, while bays over storage should get R30. I have quite a bit of the foil/bubble wrap left over from a different project that i figured i would use-up since i have it- Whats the best use for this stuff?

And to throw another bit to the equation I have a large, high output fireplace on the first floor that I am hoping to use as my primary heat, especially for the open second floor. The radiant system is just to keep things comfortable and something to rely on when Im too old to split wood. I have this fireplace set up to dump excess heat into the basement if things get too toasty on the first floor. If I insulate the heck out of the joist bays will this dumped air heat eventually work its way back up? I'm curious to see how the radiant will mix with the use of a fireplace.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

@ January 28, 2012 8:04 AM in Aluminum distribution Plates?

Bill- Definitely crew #2. I never even considered the fin type and plan to look into that option a bit more. The post is referring to the Ultra-thin type product on pex right? not necessarily baseboard type copper fin run with copper pipe in the bays of the floor joists?

kcopp- Insulating the bays is still recommended if i plan on using the space below? The floor joists are 2 x 10 so i could potentially insulate with R30 or R38C if insulation is the recommendation. I just thought it wouldn't be needed if i plan to use the space below (basement with pex in concrete). The heat will rise for the most part right? Or is it beneficial to isolate your zones (at least between floors) as much as possible?

Aluminum distribution Plates?

@ January 27, 2012 9:04 PM in Aluminum distribution Plates?

What is the latest thought on Aluminum distribution plates? I am trying to determine what is the best way to go in terms of getting the most from my dollar. It seems like there are several thicknesses to choose from and theories on the spacing of these plates. I plan to install between 2x10 flr joists, 16" O.C. with 3/4 ply sub floor, coverings will be 3/4 hardwood in some areas and slate tile in others. This will be over a basement that i hope to finish someday soon so did not plan on insulating the joists. It would seem like the thicker the Aluminum the better it will transfer so this would be a no brainer if i had an infinite bank account but at some point the Aluminum thickness and efficiency must level out right? How about opinions on the bubble foil? Any thoughts from you pros.?

Aluminum distribution Plates?

@ January 27, 2012 9:04 PM in Aluminum distribution Plates?

What is the latest thought on Aluminum distribution plates? I am trying to determine what is the best way to go in terms of getting the most from my dollar. It seems like there are several thicknesses to choose from and theories on the spacing of these plates. I plan to install between 2x10 flr joists, 16" O.C. with 3/4 ply sub floor, coverings will be 3/4 hardwood in some areas and slate tile in others. This will be over a basement that i hope to finish someday soon so did not plan on insulating the joists. It would seem like the thicker the Aluminum the better it will transfer so this would be a no brainer if i had an infinite bank account but at some point the Aluminum thickness and efficiency must level out right? How about opinions on the bubble foil? Any thoughts from you pros.?

Thanks guys for the feedback....

@ January 22, 2012 7:49 AM in Where to start?

I am continuing to research this subject and was able to find a designer/installer in my area that seems quite reputable. We spoke for almost an hour on the phone as we discussed my needs and their suggestions. They will be coming out here for a site visit this week.

You guys do have me concerned now as i had hired a designer through the internet for a system that now heats my barn/studio space- about 1,100 sq ft. I did the install and it works fine so far (this is the second heating season with it). It is an open system with a Takagi Jr heating both the floor and DHW. Should consider replacing this system?

Where to start?

@ January 17, 2012 2:26 AM in Where to start?

Hello All,
I am building a new home and plan to heat the basement (in the future) and 1st floor with radiant heat. There seem like so many options for makes and models to heat the water and many opinions on loop sizing and installation methods I am hoping to gain some modern insight from you pros.

I am an extreme DIYer pretty much building the home myself on nights and weekends with occasional help from friends and family. I am finally ready to start the heating portion and have contacted a few online places for free design estimates for product price quotes and am finding some differences of opinions. I figured a good start might be to talk to some folks who aren't trying to sell me something first.

On a side note, I have installed a radiant heat system in my barn/studio. It was a learning experience but I am pretty happy with the way it turned out. I am not so psyched with the support that was supposed to come along with the design service I had paid for but I got an education in any case.

For my new project I feel fairly confident in the actual install but not so much in the actual design and sizing.
I had a heat loss calc done and was told I need 125k btu/hr for about 4000 sq ft of floor space (not including DHW to 4 baths, 1 kitchen and laundry). I have a new high output wood burning stove on the first floor for supplemental heat to the first floor and primary heat to the second floor. I am thinking of using a propane fueled, high efficiency water heater for both heat and DHW. Are the quality heaters pretty much all the same (Polaris vs Weil McClain, vs AO Smith Vertex were among suggestions)? I have read mixed reviews of using aluminum or graphite heat displacers -what would determine if these are a good fit for the rooms I would like to heat? Do I run all my loops off of a large single pump or use several smaller pumps for each zone/loop? Does it make sense to run my water supply through the loops to the heater when DHW calls in summer months to gain some "free" cooling?

Do you have any tips, suggestions or advice on where to start?