Add radiator to hydronic system

Dan Farnsworth

Where can I find out what safety valves, gauges, etc (if any) I should use on a radiator circuit I want to add to my planned (not yet built) hydronic system?

The heat source will be a wood stove with copper tubing as a heat exchanger, so I know that will be less predictable than a boiler. The hydronic part is designed by the good folks at Radiant Floor Co. so I know what mixing valves and temperature/pressure gauges I need there.

Should I install a cutoff valve before or after each radiator, and do I need a safety valve before or after? I can't find information on this anywhere else.

Dan Farnsworth

Al Letellier

wood stove????

Dan, I think you're looking for trouble if your description is accurate. Using a wood stove and a copper coil can lead to big trouble. The wood stove is going to be a constant source of heat and will be quite difficult to control. If you're not heating a large volume of water, I would consider another source of heat. We've seen a lot of this "jury rigged" setup here in Maine over the years and it usually leads to ruptured coils, failed safety valves and floods from them, and a lack of any control. You simply can't turn off the heat when the system reaches high temp.
Please think this one over very carefully before proceeding.

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Tom Meyer

Have a professional help you.

Since it's not built yet, you still can have a certified, competent, and experienced hydronics contractor help you come up the most efficient, safe and well-designed system.

You'll save yourself alot of needless grief and expense.

Senior Designer/Trainer
Precision Hydronics
www.precisionhydronics.com