Staple up radiant with mini split supplemental

ibal

Hi! Sorry, I know a lot of people ask about radiant floors here and I’ve taken the time to go through a lot of those posts which was helpful. 

I did a gut renovation and when I underwent the reno, I asked my GC and my architect about doing radiant floors, and both said it’s not possible. So we ripped the boilers out of our home (I know, I know) and replaced the radiators with mini splits. I find the mini splits to be unreliable, drying and the temperature is all over the place.

So, I now want to do staple up retrofit and keep the mini splits for supplemental heat. I’ve got white oak floors and a subfloor. I would need to run a new gas line into the home, get a boiler, rip the basement ceiling and lay the PEX tubing. 

Our second floor is not yet done, so we hope to be able to do regular radiant floors (not staple-up) up there. 

Questions: 

1. is it worth doing all of this for the amount of heat I’ll get through a staple-up job? 

2. What kind of boiler do you recommend / why? 

3. Are there any contractors/plumbers here who do this kind of thing in New York? 

Thanks 

neilc

new york is a big state

hot_rod

If you want the radiant comfort, but at what price?
A load calc would be a starting point. See what the floor is capable of

nosirra1Arrison

Panel radiators are a less complicated way of solving your problem.
I highly recommend: https://hydronicalternatives.com/

ibal

neilc said:

new york is a big state

Should have clarified: New York City 

ibal

nosirra1Arrison said:

Panel radiators are a less complicated way of solving your problem. I highly recommend: https://hydronicalternatives.com/

Thanks - I’m not a fan of the aesthetic of these and I’m looking for consistent heat rather than hot zones. But I will look into it further 

neilc

ibal said:

neilc said:

new york is a big state

Should have clarified: New York City 

how bout your zip code,
there are a few guys here in your area,
or the blue box , top of the page, "find a contractor"

EdTheHeaterMan

ibal said:

neilc said:

new york is a big state

Should have clarified: New York City 

New York City is a BIG City!

EdTheHeaterMan

The fact that the mini splits are unreliable has more to do with the installing and servicing contractor and less to do with the equipment. Unless you have some very old mini splits that were in a warehouse for 25 years, the HOT ZONES you speak of will not happen with the new inverter technology heat pumps used in mini splits. they kind of adjust the output based on the room temperature. They actually never shut off once you reach the minimum turn down percentage of the compressor. Then they ramp up and down based on the needs of the room. So the temperature is pretty much the same all the time.

That technology is available on boilers and can be transferred to panel radiators, baseboard radiators and radiant floor heating with the similar technology of modulating boiler input. I have installed Buderus (now Bosch GreenStar) and Crown Boiler's (by Velocity Boiler Works) modulating condensing equipment and was satisfied with the results.

But don't go with a boiler brand that the contractor is unfamiliar with. As in the unreliable heat pumps you have experienced, The contractor is the reason you want to get a new system. If you find the right contractor that will start out with a load calculation before quoting a size and design, then you want to go with the equipment they are comfortable installing and servicing.