O.K.
So the basement is gutted, not too much plumbing or wiring to work around and it strikes me…. How about installing a radiant system on entire first floor ???
Roughly 650′ sq
My Questions:
Will a standard boiler & manifold system work or does the boiler run too hot?
How comfortable will it be? Entire first floor is 3/4 oak over plank sub…
How many seperate runs are required to minimize length ?
I am converting from steam to forced hot water anyway, plumber roots for baseboard I love my big old cast iron radiators. Since I’m going to spend to convert any way seems like a good time too consider it. What should I figure verses brand new baseboard???? 2X , 3X ????
Replies
BT is a great general construction forum, and there are a few heating pros that frequent, but you might get more info quicker...especially through reading posts over the last couple of months...at this site:
http://www.radiantpanelassociation.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1
My Questions:
Will a standard boiler & manifold system work or does the boiler run too hot?
Yes, a standard boiler will work, you need to protect it from cool return water though. Need a good hydronics guy for that
How comfortable will it be? Entire first floor is 3/4 oak over plank sub...
The comfort could range from luxurious to chilly. The comfort level you will achieve is linked directly into your homes heat loss. Staple up can only put out so much heat, and if your home is drafty w/no insulation, you will be cold on design days. You need a heat loss calc done.
How many seperate runs are required to minimize length ?
Depends on tubing size/pump size/supply water temp/sq footage of area. Generally no more than 250 feet for 1/2 pex for each loop.
I am converting from steam to forced hot water anyway, plumber roots for baseboard I love my big old cast iron radiators. Since I'm going to spend to convert any way seems like a good time too consider it. What should I figure verses brand new baseboard???? 2X , 3X ????
Plumbers will most times go for hw baseboard cuz its simple and dirt cheap.
You need to slow down this project and get more information-hes having you tear out cast iron rads and put in hw bb for crissakes? First see if you can convert your steam rads to hw. Then, get a plumber who knows radiant, or spend the time to educate yourself. Look into condensing boilers if you do go radiant, that way you wont have to mix down the hot water for your radiant.
It will be alot more than hw bb, but you would be alot more comfortable and could save alot of money on fuel if your system is done right.
Or you could use the radiant as just floor warming and split the load with you hw bb.
Woody,
yes your boiler will work but you might look into using a water heater instead!
Not as crazy as it sounds at first blush, you will need to cool the water down from your boiler in order to keep it at a comfortable tempurature.; (to avoid having a hot foot ) you cannot get boilers to work efficently at those lower temps. Cooling water that you've already paid to heat doesn't make much sense.
However a hot water heater will operate at whatever temp you call for and it can operate efficently at 105 degrees (typical of what is needed for flooring). In addition depending on your local codes you may be able to use your existing water heater.
The lower cost of a water heater is somewhat offset by it's shorter life, however it's shorter life isn't really a negative thing.; energy savings occurs at regular intervals. For example you know that a 20 year old boiler cannot be as efficent as a new boiler . If we are talking about a boiler that costs thousands of dollars it's pretty tough to bite the bullet and replace when more efficent models come out, however when you are speaking of only a few hundred dollars the equation becomes a bit more easy to calculate and thus easier to stay abreast of efficency gains.
For full details contact Randiantec http://www.radiantec.com they are the only company that I know that sells to do-it-yourselfers.; Wirsbo who made radiant floors popular sells only thru plumbers.
Radiantec will send you a manual of your options as well as explain the differances between boilers / hot water heaters and sell you whatever you need from simple tubing to complete manifold systems and pumps.
They are great to work with and helpful regarding confusing issues.