Heat transfer plate options for 1/2"

Marvin007

What are some of best heat transfer plate options available at the moment for 1/2" pex between joist radiant installs?

If it matters I think I am considering 4' or 2' lengths. What design seems to extract and spread the heat the best into 1-5/8" wood subfloor/underlay?

Paul Pollets

The 4' heavy duty plates made by Uponor or Viega are recommended. With a 15/8" subfloor you're at the limit of output for a staple-up application. I'd make sure you do a careful heat loss to make sure you won't need supplemental heating, which will depend on the climate and the insulation values of the home.

Marvin007

I'll have to double check my subfloor+underlay that was rough guess. It may actually be 1-3/8".

Paul Pollets

You're still at the limit with 13/8" total floor thickness. Supplemental heat will usually be required in most northern climes.

Ironman

We like these from Rehau:

hot_rod

If this will be the primary heating, I would first do a room by room heat load calc. Mid to high 20’s for btu output, assuming no more r value over the floor like carpet or throw rugs.

Marvin007

hot_rod said:

If this will be the primary heating, I would first do a room by room heat load calc. Mid to high 20’s for btu output, assuming no more r value over the floor like carpet or throw rugs.

Is there an online calculator or good video that explains how to do a heat load calculation?

Marvin007

Paul Pollets said:

The 4' heavy duty plates made by Uponor or Viega are recommended. With a 15/8" subfloor you're at the limit of output for a staple-up application. I'd make sure you do a careful heat loss to make sure you won't need supplemental heating, which will depend on the climate and the insulation values of the home.

What is the difference between a heavy duty plate and average plate?



is the heat transfer between these 2 plates drastically different?

These are $20.50 CAD per 4’ plate retail at Andrew Sheret
https://www.uponor.com/en-ca/s/joist-trak-1-2-heat-transfer-panel-a5080500

These are approx. $2.25 a 4’ plate.
https://m.vevor.ca/floor-heating-mat-c_10381/100pcs-4-aluminum-radiant-floor-heat-transfer-plates-for-1-2-pex-tubing-p_010932034185?gclid=CjwKCAiA68ebBhB-EiwALVC-NkSivivMXtEoog1FczCzMiMAiMqRtc9udNUZcJrKwwmtcdka4M0tpBoCzLEQAvD_BwE

kcopp

Yes... there are 1/8" thick extruded plates and "beer can" plates. The extruded plates hold the heat and transfer the temperature to the floor much better. typically, you can run the water temperature lower w/ the extruded plates. It makes for a more efficient system.

Marvin007

kcopp said:

Yes... there are 1/8" thick extruded plates and "beer can" plates. The extruded plates hold the heat and transfer the temperature to the floor much better. typically, you can run the water temperature lower w/ the extruded plates. It makes for a more efficient system.

Is this a 1/8” thick extruded plate? If not can you give an example of one. 
https://www.uponor.com/en-ca/s/joist-trak-1-2-heat-transfer-panel-a5080500

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

These are the only plates I ever used. 

https://radiantdesignandsupply.com/productsthermofin 
Whichever one you get, look at their engineering which will tell you the heat output of the plates at different water temperatures. Within limits, the lower the water temperature, the more you boiler will condense. 

Rummage through the Slantfin website for their Explorer heat loss program.