Ultra Fin/ PEX tubing/ Boiler Heat System

Brian_60

Brian_60

Ultra Fin/ PEX tubing/ Boiler Heat System

Hello
I'm new to this forum and would like some input from anyone familiar with the UltraFin system.
I'm remodelling a 1966 Minesota rambler. I've removed the baseboard rtadiators from the kitchen and foyer area and plan to install the PEX system with UltraFins under the floor joists. I plan to use the PEX with Oxygen barrier.
Are you familiar with this type of system (UltraFin)? I don't know anyone that has ever installed it or had it in their home.
Is the aluminum PEX tubing the way to go, or is the standard PEX just fine?
How is this going to compare efficiency-wise to the baseboard radiators that I'm replacing?
Thanks for any tips or advice.

hr

Sure it can work nicely

how much baseboard did you remove? Did it keep the space comfortable and warm?

If so you need to put the same amount of heat into the space via the floor, as the baseboard did.

Baseboard output tables will tell you the BTU/ foot that your baseboard would supply. Multiply that number times the number of feet of BB you removed.

It may or may not be possible to heat the space radiantly with the amount of open floor space you have available to turn into a radiant panel.

Ideally you would do a heat load calc for those rooms and design the radiant system around that number. You can do your own calc with the free calculator available above.

Or use the heat load calc that Ultra Fin offers.

Kitchens can be a trickey room to heat with a small un-obstructed floor area as the only heat source. Area under cabinets and appliances doesn't count as a radiant output, but does need to be included in the load calc. It's called heat flux which is available floor less the covered area.

The answer, my friend, is blowing in the numbers. Use them to avoid a mid winter re-do

hot rod

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Brian_60

Thanks Rod.
I will do the calculations.
I've removed 3 units, totalling about 17 linear feet (2, 6' & 1, 5').
Have you personally worked with the UltraFin system?
Anybody else experienced with UltraFin? Tips, Advice?
Thanks
Brian

hr

some tips

I prefer PAP tube to regular barrier pex. I run my tube with the joist and use their "pig tails" to suspend it down. It saves a lot of drilling and threading.

Yes I end up with two tubes per bay and more tube used, but I have some error room. I stagger the Fin from tube to tube.

I haven't tried the new assembly clip. Mine were all pop rivited. A bit time consuming.

I have some install pics somewhere and some infared pics of the floor operating if you need to see.

It's a fairly straight forward system. It does require higher temperatures, not a bad mix with baseboard zones and supply temperatures.

I actually have one running at 140 supply. I blended some ThermoFin aluminum transfer plates at the perimeter areas to be sure I had the load covered.

I think it is an excellent product to blend some floor radiant with a HW baseboard system.

hot rod

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scott markle_2

Fosta pex

I used it with viega fosta pex, the o.d of this tubing is a bit larger than wirsbo multi-core so the rivets were a bit difficult. I think that pex/al/pex is manufacture spec.for this product. The rigidity and temperature(expansion) stability are pluses,although it's a bit more work to pull.