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I’m thinking of installing radiant heat in a master bath that I’m renovating. There is an existing hot water baseboard system. I need advice on the easiest, most cost effective but best solution for this 130 sq. ft. bath. I do have a closet that would give me a straight run to the boiler in the basement should water be the solution. I’m also open to suggestions to electric radiant heat mesh that I have no experience with. The electric would be a supplemental system just to keep the tiles warm. The baseboard could be kept to provide the main heat. I’m wide open to suggestions. The floor will be covered in 3/8 granite.
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Anthony,
I've debated this decision more times than I would like to admit.
1) 130 sf?
2) Budget?
3) Time and worry for a DIY?
Do the electric and install a floor sensing thermostat. Set the floor sensing t-stat for the floor temp that is comfortable. You could also use a "high limit" air sensing stat to limit the possibility of overshoot. I recommend "bang-bang" on floor warming. Try Environmental Technologies, Inc for the stat I am speaking of. Or (shameless!!!!) you could contact me by email and I might could supply you with what you need.
Jeff
*In the interest of brevity, "ditto".
*Check out radiant hydronic wall panels from Stadler. You can use your same circuit for baseboard but run to wall panel behind drywall, pretty cool. Panels with reflective heat baffles and PEX tubing are set against wall. cover with dw.
*I would lean toward the electric option also. I would put the thermostat on a timer so as not to heat the floor durring the time that no one would be barefoot. 8:30am-7:00pm??I would only consider hydronic for this small of a floor if it was directly over the basement for eazy install of under the floor tubing.
*What is a source for these electric heating meshes that can be put directly into the thinset under tiles? And are they able to be controlled with thier own thermostat to keep a room warm at all times?It would be for a 72sq ft room. thanks,Dave
*IMO - Electric heat should be illegal, regardless of the convcenience issues associated with the end user.-Rob
*Bask.Applied Radiant
*FWIW, I just finished installing an Alcatel electric system in a 50 sf. bath. JJ McGough originally recommended it to me, and I got it from Applied Radiant. I haven't run it yet, but it seems to be a very well thought out piece of gear. A lot more durable than what I envisioned. And definitely more cost effective in this case than hydronic, even if electricity is more expensive.
*Rob, Care to elaborate on your sensitivity to electric? Is it just cost?Steve
*Has anyone considered the future repairability of wire mats? Is there a feasable way to accurately locate a short or open and make a repair? Are they susceptable to water damage?Jerry
*Steve - it has to do with efficiencyBy the time electricity reaches your outlet is only 40% efficient.So for every unit of energy you use, the grid and the generating plant consumed 1.5 units.Low temperature superconductors will solve this problem, because line losses account for 80% (the number varies from source to source). Maybe after superconductors I will change my mind.I say it is for lights and motors and temporary heat. Like the small electric heater I used to keep a shower unit warm while the caulk dried, etc.-Rob
*Thanks Rob. I wuz just wonderin'.Sounds like a reasonable objection to me. So how about electric cars? Does the inefficient delivery of recharging juice make them a net loser? I kind of like the concept of the hybrid cars, but have no idea whether they are folly or not.Steve
*Go with electric. The environmental arguments are kind like plastic as paper. You would really have to do a very detailed evaluation to even guess what would be better enviromentally. IMHO
*I have a small bathroom 50sf that I installed a NuHeat electric pad under the tile. Figure about 10 watts/sf for cost to keep it at about 80F. I love it and am planning on doing my kitchen next. In your case however, If the boiler is close, I'd use water. Water is always more efficient that electricity.
*I planned to put hydronic radiant in my small kitchen, 10x12. Estimated cost $4K+ and not enough floor space to do it in. Boiler is plenty big enough.
*If you have access to the joists underneath the bathroom, you also might consider electric floor warming systems that staple up under the joists. They look like the electric defrosters on cars, and they wire in series. You only put it where your feet will touch the floor, not under the tub or cabinets, and it wires to a switch, thermostat, or timer. Each panel has the draw of a 100 watt light bulb, and covers 16" x 12". The kind we have is made by the Flexwatt Corporation. I can't tell you how well it works, because we haven't installed it yet. (Along with several hundred other things!) However, if there is a problem, it's easily accessed, unlike meshes or tubes.
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I'm thinking of installing radiant heat in a master bath that I'm renovating. There is an existing hot water baseboard system. I need advice on the easiest, most cost effective but best solution for this 130 sq. ft. bath. I do have a closet that would give me a straight run to the boiler in the basement should water be the solution. I'm also open to suggestions to electric radiant heat mesh that I have no experience with. The electric would be a supplemental system just to keep the tiles warm. The baseboard could be kept to provide the main heat. I'm wide open to suggestions. The floor will be covered in 3/8 granite.