Best suggestion for heat source

kevin coppinger_4

this...
http://www.embassyind.com/pdfs/embassyind_ambassador2.pdf it may be a bit oversized since I have no idea what the rest of the load is but it is a nice tidy package w/ domectic hw...kpc

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Plumbingpainter

Best suggestion for heaqt source

I have built a room addition to a cabin that is 320 sqft. I installed 1/2"pex in elevated slab with proper insulation underneath. I have purchased a pre-built panel with the exp tank, gauges, pump, and controler on it. The balance (480sqft)of the cabin is heated by a wall furnace that I hope to use less when radiant is in operation. My question is what is the best heat source for this very small system? I have NG available, but only a 100 amp elec service. Also I do not have a DHW source yet either. The pre-built panel is for a closed system.

Brad White_184

Some thoughts

Not knowing where the cabin is located nor how it is laid out, may I make some assumptions?

If the 320 SF is totally available for radiant and depending on the floor covering and construction that will get you an output of between 20 and 35 BTUH per SF. Call it 6,400 to 11,200 BTUH output. That may or may not be enough heat given all of the variables (climate, insulation).

The point I really want to make is, if you think that this radiant portion will help heat the remainder or take the load off, you may want to lower your expectations. The perception going from radiant to wall-furnace-ville will be noticeable.

Back to the capacity: Having a load that small is much less than even a small gas-fired water heater would provide. A Bradford-White combi heater or a plate exchanger may be a good bet and provide your domestic water in one place. That is what I would do. No, there is no relationship here!

If you do go electric (electric boiler dedicated to heating) you would need between 2.0 and 3.5 kW capacity which will run you 15 Amps if you use 220V. Probably would be a 20A breaker.

Having a 100A service for an 800 SF cabin is not a bad position in which to find yourself. After you factor in power needs, lighting, the HDTV, etc. plus your heating, you may have enough left over for that mechanical bull you always wanted.

Plumbingpainter

Thanks for the initial input. I also need to mention that the room with radiant floor is polished concrete (no floor covering). It has vaulted strucutral wood ceiling with only 2" of polystyrene nailbase insulation over 11/2" wood deck. It is not a full time residence so I am looking for this system to assist in keeping place about 60deg. during week. We are in NE Kansas. This has been project for a while and I am trying to do all work myself. I was set to go with tankless for DHW and elec strg tank for floor but then I found this site and am glad I did. Obviously I do not have expertice to do calculations although I have tried. I saw a Laing unit in another thread and thought it may be worth considering. Thanks for any help.