Radiant heat for the second floor.

Jeff_22

My contractor planned to install a baseboard heater for a large second floor room 13.5 x 23.5. Due to some issues with our electrical he couldn't use baseboard. We have a new gas boiler for this new addition for infloor (slab-lower level) tube heat. The contractor has run plastic water tubes under the upper floor down each floor joist and will insulate below to create an air space to heat up. He has had to resize the boiler and we are waiting for a larger (electric boiler). I haven't seen this type of installation and wonder if it will be effective (efficient) There are 4 large windows in the room too. Can I get any advice on this???

Thanks,

Jeff

bigugh_4

Advice ?

Do a heat loss on your abode. see "heat loss calculator" on this wall. Under floor piping is used a lot. and effective too. However it has to be sized right as to flow and pipe size, determined by a heat loss. and good installation practices. good luck

George_10

System should be

cleaned out and then treated before it is put in service. Ask your contractor about these steps. This will prevent future problems and help the system run more efficiently. The reason for this is potential corrosion and scale. Boiler efficiency and higher fuel expense are the result of letting these problems happen.

Eric

Windows

I don't see why boiler size would change. Its the same heat loss in the space if your are using baseboard or floor heat.


Joist space heating is typical on second floor. I would be cautious about the windows. A majority of the heat loss will be right at the window. Depending on your climate and design temperature outside. You may not have enough heat directed at the window like baseboard does to keep window from condensation or ice forming. Total heat loss is ok, but with floor heat will be spread evenly. Baseboard works good because it concentrates heat at the largest heat loss (window).


Dont buy cheap windows.