Heating Help

Ok, so whats the best way to go at this point

@ January 20, 2012 1:09 PM in Considering Radiant, but have some concerns

Thanks for reminding me that you get what you pay for, and if you pay online, your paying for a dream!!!

Anyway, I am doing the labor on the floor (and possibly the manifolds) myself, and the plumber is doing the boiler.

So, my new question is, what is the best way to install the system? I am doing a hardwood floor(3/4inch quarter sawn red oak, was told this holds up to the heat). I am trying to decide between,

A) mud and sleepers,
B) Wirsbo .05 inch plates and sleepers,
C) or a thinner.024inch plate that is a double U shape 12inch wide by 24 long(thinnner plate more surface area, and about 40% cheaper)

I plan on cutting plywood for the sleepers, I have a lot of spare time watching everyone else/professionals work, so this will give me something to do, and I have about 2-3 months time before this would be done.

I have a heat loss calculation from my Energy Star Compliance guy, and the house is going to be Energy Star Compliant, I am assuming that I take this to a pro to decide the loops, and the water temp. Although I was under the impression that if I had an adjustable manifold, and patience I could equalize the system myself. (Please don't mock my ignorance, I am a jack of all trades, and an optimist, I'm just not skilled or fast enough to make a living at contracting)

Thanks

a little more info

@ January 19, 2012 9:52 AM in Considering Radiant, but have some concerns

Just to be clear, the fireplace is located in the living room, and is not heating the floor, a gas boiler is providing the heat

a little more info

@ January 19, 2012 9:52 AM in Considering Radiant, but have some concerns

Just to be clear, the fireplace is located in the living room, and is not heating the floor, a gas boiler is providing the heat

Considering Radiant, but have some concerns

@ January 19, 2012 9:49 AM in Considering Radiant, but have some concerns

Hi all,
I am in the process of GC'ing my home construction, and need to make a decision on the heat within a week or so, but my plumber has been talking me out of radiant, I just think he is unfamiliar with it. Anyway, I have a few concerns about my situation. I plan on stapling the pex under the sub floor and putting hardwood flooring on top of it.
I have read on a website(full of very useful radiant advice) that aluminum plates are unnecessary, he recommends creating a 2 inch airspace with Foil double bubble Foil, stapled into the joist, and then filling the rest of the joist with fiberglass. The lack of aluminum will slow the heating, but once the floor is heated, its irrelevant(in his opinion).
The other concern is that I am installing a high efficiency wood burning fireplace, I am worried that if I keep the fire going for a week, the floor will lose its heat, and then will take a couple of days to catch up once the fire goes out.
Also, what is the recommended water temperature for this application, I am also concerned about damage/warping of the wood floor?
Thanks in advance for the collective wisdom!!!
Andy

Considering Radiant, but have some concerns

@ January 19, 2012 9:48 AM in Considering Radiant, but have some concerns

Hi all,
I am in the process of GC'ing my home construction, and need to make a decision on the heat within a week or so, but my plumber has been talking me out of radiant, I just think he is unfamiliar with it. Anyway, I have a few concerns about my situation. I plan on stapling the pex under the sub floor and putting hardwood flooring on top of it.
I have read on a website(full of very useful radiant advice) that aluminum plates are unnecessary, he recommends creating a 2 inch airspace with Foil double bubble Foil, stapled into the joist, and then filling the rest of the joist with fiberglass. The lack of aluminum will slow the heating, but once the floor is heated, its irrelevant(in his opinion).
The other concern is that I am installing a high efficiency wood burning fireplace, I am worried that if I keep the fire going for a week, the floor will lose its heat, and then will take a couple of days to catch up once the fire goes out.
Also, what is the recommended water temperature for this application, I am also concerned about damage/warping of the wood floor?
Thanks in advance for the collective wisdom!!!
Andy