\"Micro\" radiant questions

Alan(OnVacationInOregon)Forbes

If it were my house, I'd use the existing domestic water heater with a Taco 007 (up to 300' of tubing); open system.

If this was for someone else, I'd do it "to code", i.e. heat exchanger, fill valve, x-tank, etc. After all that, the small electric water heater sounds good.

Brewbeer

Micro radiant Q's

I am installing a shower in an unheated basement and will be using a short loop (50 feet) of radiant to keep the shower somewhat warm. The shower is about 3 feet by 6 feet, and two of the walls are against the concrete foundation. These are the two wall I have put the pex (1/2 inch) tubing in. My heat source will be a water heater (I have forced air central heating). The shower walls will be poly, 1/2 inch cement board, and tile. The two foundation walls are insulated with 2 inch extruded polystyrene.

Two questions: first, what should I use for a circulator for this application? Taco 007?

Also, my options for providing hot water are a small electric water heater (which I would need to purchase) or my existing gas fired water heater, which has two through-the-wall connections for space heating. If I use a small electric WH the heater will be next to the shower. If I use the gas water heater, I'll need to add another 50 feet of tubing to get from the WH to the shower tubing and back again.

I can post a picture if it would help. Thanks !!

ALH_4

Laing EH

I would use a Laing EH 2 heater that includes everything needed except the relief valve, expansion tank and fill valves. They cost a few hundred bucks, fit in a very small space, and eliminate the open system issues.

kevin coppinger_4

as much as I....

love hydronics...would 'nt some electris mat under the tile make more sence especially since there is not a boiler existing? kpc

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Ted_9

Why not incorporate this radiant loop with a house recirc line using a bronze circ? That way, it will run all year long. No chance of bacteria build up in the lines.

Unknown

Laing

Sorry boys, this is 230 volt and metric connections.

Unknown

yes it would.

ALH_4

Euro

I installed a few with no problems. The installation manuals could us a little translation work though.

Brewbeer

recirc line

I like this idea. I would need piping back to the water heater, a bronze circulator (any recommendations), and what else, a flow check perhaps to keep the hot from getting into the cold water line? Would the recirc return line tie in at the cold water inlet?

I have dreams of converting the heating system over to hydronics at some time in the future. The house is a four-level split originally built with electric heat and later converted for forced air. The duct work does not extend up to the bedrooms on the forth level which makes the rooms cold in the winter.

I don't really care for the forced air; the house doesn't heat evenly and the blower makes a lot of noise. I had HWBB in my last two houses and loved it. It was a warm even heat and quiet.

hot_rod

230V for sure on that Laing

but 1/2' FIP connections top and bottom. I have quite a few installed, with good results.

2KW is a bit big for even a small bath, and the elements are no replaceable from what I can tell. An ideal sized low wattage circ, very reliable.

A great two bathroom package. Or a kitchen and bath.

hot rod

hot_rod

hot_rod

2-1/2 or 6 gallon

electric tanks work great. Most come with a 1500w 120V element. easily upgraded of course. i have one running a 5.5KW element on 240V.

You can custom size the output by shopping Johnstone Supply for element selection. anything from 500W to 6KW will thread in.

hot rod

hot_rod