In Floor Heat

bruce_21

Use foil faced insulation, at least R-19 but the more the better, and leave an inch or so gap between it and the subfloor.

Chad_10

In floor heat can't keep up when cold

I had a house built in Wisconsin with an outside wood boiler and a propane boiler backup. The hvac contractor stapled the wirsbo under the sublfoor between the floor trusses. The subfloor is 3/4" and then I have carpet, wood floor and tile on top of that. There are no heat plates and the cavity is not insulated. When it gets in the single degree range outside the thermostats can't keep up. The water leaving the wood boiler is 180 degrees but when it leaves the water to water heat exchanger it is 140 degrees. i know wood is not a good conductor of heat so my questions are:

1. Is there anything I can do to get the water temp. hotter after it leaves the heat exchanger?
2. Would installing heat plates and insulating the cavity help.(basement is unfinished so I have access) If so what do you reccomend.

any suggestions would be appreciated

kpc_45

#2 is your ...

best bet. To go through 1 1/2" of wood then carpet is a lot to ask....I do not do staple up install w/o plates...kpc

Mike Dunn

staple up

I concur. And may the floorce be with you. That was for you JMB

Ed Lentz_2

I'm just a home owner who put his own radiant in. But, I think you would be well advised to put the plates in, AND use fiberglass insulation in those cavities. Install it so that it creates a pocket, it will direct the radiant energy towards the floor. I am in the middle of Michigan and my heating system is limited to 145, I have no carpet tho.

Good luck

Chad_10

thanks for the input, I wil try the plates.

claysdad0818

PEX Underfloor

You definitely need to insulate below the pipe, and leave about a 2"-4" air gap. Plates will help, but not as much as insulating. I'd go with at least an R-19.