Preliminary Questions about a New System

Patrick Kozak_2

Dear Sirs:
I saw your advice columns on the internet site called heatinghelp.com and thought you might be able to help me. I’m looking for some preliminary advice before I start down the road to more in depth planning.
I am considering having a home built for me in 6 months. Because of a spinal cord injury I am a C5-6 quadriplegic paralyzed in all my extremities and must use a powered wheelchair. I want to build a one and a half story brick home with a metal shingle roof that will offer superior climate control. I am very sensitive to temperate fluctuations; therefore, I am seriously considering radiant floor heating for this home.
The home that I am considering has a full basement of 1650 square feet that I would like to heat with in-slab Multicor PEX tubing with carpet installed at a later date when the basement would be finished for living space. A first floor level of 1650 square feet would be heated using regular oxygen barrier PEX tubing mounted in the Warmboard radiant panels with an engineered hardwood flooring in all rooms except the two full bathrooms, the powder room, the laundry room, the entry hall and the breakfast area, which will have ceramic tile. The 660 square feet garage is also on this level, which would be heated by Multicor PEX tubing placed in the slab. On the second floor there is a 700 square feet area consisting of a bedroom, a loft area, a bonus room and a full bathroom. All these second floor rooms will have carpeting except the bathroom, which will have ceramic tile. In the second floor area I think the Slim-Line baseboard system supplied by Multicor PEX tubing for the radiant heat would work better here because I want carpet on the second floor for sound suppression.
The power plant I would like to use would be the natural gas fired Viessmann Vitola 200 boiler with a Viessmann Vitocell-H 300 hot water tank. I have read about the Vitoden boilers, but don’t know if they would be appropriate for this project. Also, I would be interested in using the Wirsbo Genius zone control system if it is appropriate for this project. In addition, I would like to install an ice and snowmelt system in the concrete sidewalk, which is 3 x 25 feet, and in the concrete drive way, which is 20 x 40 feet. The snowmelt system does not need to keep the area dry, but only needs to melt the snow. Furthermore, I would have a Lifebreath Heat Recovery Ventilator installed. Finally, I would add air conditioning using the Mestek Space-Pak System with an appropriate cooling unit to cool all 3 levels. I have looked at the Unico Unichiller chilled water unit, but I don’t have the expertise to make an informed decision about it.
I would like to know if I am on the correct path with this rough sketch, and what a system like this would roughly cost. Also, are there any competent contractors in my area who could reliably design and install such a system, or at least install such a system designed by another company? I cannot do any of my own maintenance on this house so I am trying to use the best materials and installers so as to avoid all but the necessary routine yearly maintenance. I have attached a 2-page floor plan, which I hope will be helpful in visualizing my written descriptions. Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Patrick Kozak
Pittsburgh, PA
pbkozak@concentric.net

Boilerpro_3

Sounds like you have a good handle on it.

Probably the chief issue that you need to explore is zoning. Newer well insulated homes built with good orientation to take advantage of passive solar heating or those with large glass areas really need to be zoned carefully. You should find some good contractors in your area...take a look at the find a contractor section of this site.

Boilerpro

Art Pittaway

If you go with radiant or not

forget the carpet. Did a house several years ago for a couple with a daughter in wheelchair. All hard wood, tile or laminate flooring. Easier maintenance, less alergy potential from dust, and the wheelchair is easier to guide and run. Carpet is always a fight for directional control.
Just a thought. Art

Patrick Kozak_2

Carpet, the enemy of wheelchairs

Art you are so right about carpet's drag on wheelchair directional control. I'm only considering carpet on the second floor as I will not be going there. I want to design the system for carpet use in the basement because when I finish the basement area in the future I plan to put a home theater there. I've been told by home theater experts that carpet is the best floor covering for sound quality. As for finding a local contractor, there is only one contractor listed in the find contractor link. I'd like to be able to find a few more qualified contractors who install in the Pittsburgh, PA area. Also, has anyone had good experiences with the Unico Unichiller unit as compared to a regular AC unit?