radiant wall heat

antman

Mark how many BTU's per square ft are you able to obtain?
I have done a couple of kitchen/family rooms where there is a bathroom that always seem to have 1 if not 2 exposed walls and not enough floor square footage, I have kept the bathroom on the same zone and the bathroom always seems to be cooler than the main room. I was thinking about doing some radiant wall as well as the floor on a project I have coming up to help this out. I was going to run a seperate loop just for the bathroom so i can zone it if absoluteley necessary. what do you think?

Thanks, Ant

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Dale_4

radiant wall heat

I am looking for information about putting pex tubing in walls to create a radiant wall panel. Any information or related experience would be appreciated.

[Deleted User]

Ya mean...

Like THIS??

[Deleted User]

or like this...

.

[Deleted User]

or like this...

Article 1

http://www.contractormag.com/articles/column.cfm?columnid=151

Article 2

http://www.contractormag.com/articles/column.cfm?columnid=159

Article 3

http://www.contractormag.com/articles/column.cfm?columnid=169

Article 4

http://www.contractormag.com/articles/column.cfm?columnid=175

I was recently at the house with the folks from NREL installing some monitoring equipment, and the homeowners said it is the most comfortable home they've ever been in.

I'd do it again, for sure.


ME

Unknown

Radiant walls

Hey Mark,

Is this the home that you guys did for Habitat for Humanity?

What do you think is the best way to prevent the future picture hangers?

Nice Job!

[Deleted User]

Education...

Yes, this is the Habitat for Humanity home.

We gave the HO these same pictures, and he has notes and drawings about where NOT to put nails. If the home gets sold (unlikely) then the job of passing the torch goes to this homeowner. The only wall where hanging a picture could cause a problem was the bathroom wall, and they know to not hang anything there.

Good to see you again Gary.

ME

hot_rod

Radiant Wall

Here are three types of radiant walls I have done. The first is done with extruded plates, the second with Wirsbo Quik-Trak and the third with Watts Sub-Ray. -DF


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[Deleted User]

Based on John Siegenthalers estimates

and borrowed from his article,

The surface temperature of a radiant wall can be higher than that of a radiant floor without producing discomfort. A rule of thumb used in the radiant industry suggests keeping drywall surfaces below 120 degrees F to prevent cracking or discoloration at joints. If we assumed an average surface temperature of 110 degrees F at design conditions, a radiant wall should be able to deliver about 60 Btu/sq. ft./hr. into a room at 68 degrees F. That's almost double the permissible heat output of a radiant floor if the average surface temperature is not to exceed 85 degrees F to prevent the "hot foot" effect.

END OF SIGGYS QUOTE. I personally think that you can get more than that per square foot out of a wall, but I also like to be conservative in my estimates like Siggy. You can read his whole artice at

http://www.pmmag.com/pm/cda/articleinformation/features/bnp__features__item/0,2379,4481,00.html

He and Harvey Youker installed it in his office on the second floor of his hoem office/garage.

Enjoy!

ME

hot_rod

Heat Source



Mark

What type of boiler did you use for the Habitat radiant wall?

Thanks,

Paul

[Deleted User]

Munchkin M80 (NM)

harvey

Dan

Whose extruded plates do you use? Did you use the U shape plate on this wall or the C shape and furring strips?

hot_rod

Plates

Harvey,

I used extruded plates from RTI. Wirsbo's plates are identical (Joist-Trak). The GC filled in with furring strips and the entire wall was covered with Durock and tile. -DF


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Stef Davis

Mark,
I'm a newby. Who makes those plates?

[Deleted User]

Wirsbo...

That is their double joist plate for 1/2" tube.

Welcome to the Wall.

ME

hot_rod

radiant shower walls are a must

here are several I have done using ThermoFin and RTI track. If you go vertically there is less nail potential for the Wonderboard installers. Use nail guard at the thub thru stud points.

I also like the PAP for wall use. Less movement.

hot rod

Stef Davis

Thanks Mark,
I just skipped over to CONTRACTOR and read your articles on Habitat wall installations. Very interesting.
I am building a house outside Glenwood Springs, and have been slurpping up all I can from the Wall. I didn't understand any of it in the beginning, but now am beginning to.
The basement was poured before I knew ANYTHING about radiant, so anything I do down there must be with radiant walls. You can imagine my delight when I found this thread.
I assume there is a place in Denver to get Wirsbo stuff?
Thanks again for your immediate response.
Stef

Dale_4

heat transfer fluid

Has methanol/water mix been used as a heat transfer fluid/antifreeze? I am contemplating connecting wall panels to a ground loop to keep a shop from freezing when not occupied.

[Deleted User]

Stick with proven technology..

Alcohol and water solutions are OK for PE pipes, but I'd rather see you use something like propylene glycol with corrosion inhibitors on the output side. The PE tubing that is used is non barrier, which means that ALL components must be capable of withstanding the corrosive tendencies of oxygen.

Stay with the tried and true. Besides, I think the code authorities (fire marshall) might frown on the use of a flammable liquid for transferring heat in a controled space.

ME