Incorporating crawlspace & radiant heat
If an unvented crawlspace is used in new construction can an HRV be used to condition a crawlspace? Want to use radiant heat in the one story above the crawlspace.
First thought I would use slab on grade but locals in this cold dry environment are skeptical of the soils for slabs.
Any comments?
Replies
What do you mean by condition? Is it just going to exchange the air. How will it be heated down there? Is the HRV used just for this space? Or, is it making a loop in the system? Will the crawl space floor be sealed with poly?
Everything I have read says that a crawlspace should be conditioned and included in the building envelope. If I have radiant heat in a joisted floor above the crawlspace then how do I provide heat to the crawl space? I was speculating that the warm air being recirculated through the HRV system could be incorporated into the crawlspace. Yes poly would be included.
Just a guess. If you have radiate heat in the joist bays, even with insulation, it would provide adequate heat to the crawlspace. And a conditioned space does not mean it needs to be 70 degrees down there.
I would think that would be sufficient. Circulating the air down there is a great idea. I assume the crawl space walls will have some insulation, the exhaust and supply for the HRV are separated by a significant distance. Another consideration is how warm you want the crawl space to be.