Radiant Heating

Larry B Lang asked:


When considering radiant heat, the reluctance to install hardwood floors over radiant heat systems was from the original technology, launched more than 40 years ago.

With radiant heat, to compensate for poor insulation, radiant heat temperatures were higher than normal causing excessive expansion and contraction in hardwood floors, which resulted in damage to hardwoods and a builder’s reputation.

Today, faultless radiant heat installations of fine hardwood flooring are completed over radiant floor heating.

To be honest, installing hardwoods over radiant heating systems is really no different from laying a typical hardwood floor.

Although the temperature of radiant floor heating will not harm the wood floor, a change in moisture will cause various hardwood flooring to warp, buckle or gap.

As the temperature rises, the moisture content generally decreases, and the moisture is removed causing the wood to shrink and gaps to occur between the boards. With lower temperatures the moisture returns and the gaps close.

When radiant heat is added to any floor it’s important to pay close attention to the moisture levels.

Your hardwood floor installer, and radiant heating systems contractor, should be aware of the special considerations required when using radiant heat in conjunction with hardwood floors.

When combined with radiant heat, many contractors underestimate the time it takes for concrete to properly cure. Usually, when the concrete looks dry the flooring is installed, however concrete needs to dry slowly and can take up to 90 days. Knowing the exact moisture content is an essential part of quality control within the floor installation process.

Once the sub-floor, tubing and climate controls have been installed, run your radiant heating systems for at least 72 hours to balance the moisture content.

Your radiant heat and hardwood floors need some special moisture considerations. Make sure your installer has a hand-held electrical tool, called a moisture meter. It measures the moisture in concrete and in the wood floor materials, giving the percentage of relative humidity.

Make certain the hardwood flooring, the storage space and the concrete slab are normalized or acclimated to the finished room before the hardwood is installed.

With a hardwood installation, a moisture barrier helps maintain an even moisture balance in the floor. Seasonal gapping is quite normal but in the fall try to progressively turn on heat before the first really cool day arrives. Also, it’s important for the hardwood floorboards in the floor to be laid perpendicular to the tubing, not parallel.

The key to a good hardwood installation when combined with radiant heat is to pay close attention to the moisture. Low, even temperature distribution is the key to avoiding problems when radiant heat is involved.



Kansieo.com

Larry B Lang asked:


If you have a radiant heat system, radiant barrier foil is an ideal way to maximize your radiant heat efficiency.

Radiant heat is heat that is transmitted from a heat source through space and a radiant barrier is designed to reflect that heat towards your living space.

Radiant barriers are made from materials that are poor at absorbing heat but excellent at reflecting it. A radiant barrier is usually a thin sheet or coating of a highly reflective material, mostly aluminum. An effective radiant barrier must reflect 97% of the heat and in order to perform correctly, the reflective side must be open to an air space.

By using radiant barrier foil you can substantial increase your energy savings especially since this foil barrier can reflect so much heat back to its source. By using a foil barrier you will keep your home far warmer than without a radiant barrier.

A few things are important to look out for when buying a radiant barrier. If you’re doing the installation yourself, you should select a tear resistant radiant barrier so your installation will be easier. The best way to test the strength of the radiant barrier is to take a small sample and try to tear it by hand. If it rips apart, chances are it will tear easily and make your installation difficult.

The types that don’t tear easily usually have a woven mesh that is laminated between two sheets of foil. Other types of radiant barrier use what is called, a ” bubble-pack” between the foil sheets, giving the radiant barrier some added strength.

Another thing to check would be the flammability rating. You should select a radiant barrier that has a Class I USB (Uniform Building Code) or a Class A NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) flammability rating. To make sure, you can always ask your local fire department or building inspector to review your selection or recommend an appropriate product.

Be aware that radiant barriers can also be used as vapor barriers, which prevent moisture from passing through them. So depending on where you are using a radiant barrier will determine what kind you use. You don’t want warm air passing through it onto a cold surface and then condensing, this could cause problems.

For installation, place the radiant barrier, foil-face up under a sub-floor about 1 to 2 inches below the radiant tubing.

To receive the best efficiency and comfort from your radiant heating system some basic rules should be followed; all of your exterior rim joists should be insulated; and insulation should be stapled to the bottom of your joists under the radiant barrier.

Also, keep in mind that radiant in-floor heat will not work properly until the joist space is closed.

While radiant barriers are certainly not new on the market, they are an inexpensive yet effective way for homeowners to save energy and money. Radiant barrier materials are continuing to improve and they are becoming widely available throughout North America.

With a radiant heat system, a radiant barrier will reflect the heat back into the home, heating your home much more efficiently.



Kansieo.com

Terry Fitzroy asked:


To ensure your home is warm and energy efficient it is important to choose a heating system that fits the room or house size. If the system is too small it will have to work too hard and will be inefficient and expensive to operate. If you are looking for a more cost and energy efficient way to heat your home, radiant heating is a popular choice. Not familiar with it? Check out the benefits of radiant heating.

When you are buying a heating system you need to compare energy ratings between systems to find the system that will be most cost effective for you. If you choose the most energy efficient system it will save you money over the long term.

Radiant heating is an excellent heating option. Here is a system that emits from a hot surface such as a bar heater or gas heater or electricity. Radiant heat works best in rooms that are large open spaces and that are drafty. More than 50% of all new construction in Europe uses radiant heat.

In Norway and Sweden it is by far the most popular form of heating and in recent years it has become popular throughout the United States. That’s because it’s affordable and it’s functional.

1) Comfort - Radiant heat is by far the most comfortable form of heat because it heats objects rather than the air. Think of how the sun heats: warming objects on the earth that then warms the air. That’s just how radiant heating works. The heat radiates to your body making you feel warm and cozy. And unlike conventional heat where most of the heat is on the ceiling, instead the floors are the warmest part of the room, so that your feet are warm.

2) Quiet and Clean Operation - There is no sound or noise off of radiant heat systems and there are also no drafts or air movement so dust and germs are not spread thus decreasing sickness and disease.

3) Energy Savings - Because it is electric, it uses a very low-voltage to heat your flooring. Radiant heat is so efficient it will save you 20-40% of the cost of heating over the cost of conventional methods. And because it warms your body instead of the air you feel comfortable at a lower temperature so you can turn your thermostat down to 65 degrees Farenheit. That means you’ll not only save but you will also feel comfortable and cozy.

4) Decorating Freedom - Radiant heat is a lot more attractive than conventional heat and you don’t have to worry yourself with the location of a huge heating system. The system is small and out of the way allowing you maximum freedom in how you design your home. It has particular application in areas with limited wall space or excessive heat loss, such as kitchens, solariums, or baths.

You can see why radiant heating is becoming the main stream around the planet. After all it has so much to offer and it is so affordable that you’d have to wonder why anyone wouldn’t make the switch.

There are many benefits to using radiant heating and now that you know what some of those are you can certainly see its potential. So what are you waiting for?



Kansieo.com

Terry Fitzroy asked:


If you’ve decide warm floors would be nice and you are thinking of installing a radiant heat system, you already know it’s not quite that simple. If you’ve typed radiant heat into Google you may become quickly confused at all of the options. Which is best? Electric radiant heat or hydronic radiant heat. The answer depends on what type of project you are doing.

Each system has a type of installation that it’s best suited for. So let’s have look at both electric radiant heat and hydronic radiant heat.

Hydronic radiant heat is actually the oldest of the radiant floor heating systems and it still remains the most popular. The system is made up of a boiler or hot water heater, manifolds, pumps, thermostat, pex tubing, and either gypcrete or wood panels.

Although hydronic radiant heat is the most popular it is also the most complex system requiring professionals to both design and install the system. Hydronics can be installed under any flooring type. But the biggest challenge has always been getting the hot water tubing installed in the light concrete bed and sometimes the floor height must be adjusted. Recently there have been some new products that are both lightweight and allow the tubes to be fitted into pre-cut wood panels that make the entire installation much easier.

If you want to heat a small area like a kitchen or bath, then hydronic radiant heat is not always the best choice. This is a cost and complex system that has long-term maintenance and thus is much more suited to installation into a larger area. Smaller areas are more suited to electric radiant heat.

Electric radiant heat is quite often called a line voltage system and they are really gaining in popularity recently and it is perfect for areas up to 300 square feet like kitchens, sunrooms, and bathrooms. The system is made up of heating cable and a thermostat. These systems are considerably less expensive and the way they are installed allows you to lay the install out just how you like it. You can even cover every inch of the floor if you like.

All cable systems have the same effectiveness, which leaves you with examining other elements before you make your choice. Consider warranty as well as how easy the installation process is, and of course price.

One last system, which we’ll briefly mention, is the low voltage radiant heat, which is perfect for areas ranging from 300 to 3000 square feet. This is a very low profile system. It’s beginning to catch on and one reason it’s appealing is the size range it can be used on. It uses a 12″ wide wire mesh that looks like the material used in a screen door. The appeal is because it’s so thin that it means there is no big problem with having enough clearance or having to install into concrete. Rather the mesh installs directly to the tile, carpet, or hardwood.

Now that you have a lot more information on electric radiant heat and hydronic radiant heat, you are in a much better position to decide what’s right for you.



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