Hydronic Heating, Radiators vs. Under Floor Tubing

Mad Dog

Mad Dog

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Andrew M.

Hydronic Heating, Radiators vs. Under Floor Tubing

Hi there, I have the option to install either baseboard rads or under the floor tubing. I was referred to this site for help and opinions. My house is old (100 years), a bungalow, has poor insulation, and is less than 800 sq/ft. The problem I was told with heating in/under the floors is that the house has very high ceilings and that only the lower part of the house would be hot, while the upper parts of the rooms would be cold. Also, going the other way with the baseboard rads, I was told I would need fans to circulate the heat in the tall rooms. Finally, cost is not that big of an issue and could you please pass on some opinions/ideas. Many thanks Andrew

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Radiant floors (other other large surfaces) are known for the complete OPPOSITE--they are WONDERFUL with high ceilings. Warm air rises--radiation radiates. Radiant systems strive to heat the OBJECTS in the room--their distance from the panel is essentially irrelevant. The objects (and the panel) do heat the air somewhat, but so gradually that there is extremely little air movement--thus very low temperature stratification.

Convective sources like baseboard heat mainly the air--warm air rises and tends to get "stuck" at the ceiling.

Radiant may or may not be particularly suitable to your application however. The lack of insulation and possibly the construction of the floors may make it difficult/impossible to heat the space solely with radiant.

Find someone else who actually understands what they are saying...

There are MANY options available--just get someone who truly knows how to determine what will be best in your situation.

Unknown

It all depends

Radiant is more comfortable by far compared to fin tube baseboard.

Find a knowledgable contractor that is able to meet your needs.

Check out the RPA site.to learm more about radiant options.

Gary

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Radiant Wizard

Think for 1 Sec

What do you care if the upper parts are cooler than the lower. Do you have some magical power where you leviate all day long and hang out at the ceiling? Wouldn't you want it more comfortable where you are stading in the room vs where you are not?

The only problem you may enounter with the radiant is that yo may have a high floor RV Value and this may require you to run a little high water temp.

Andrew M.

Thanks for the information. To "radiantwizard", the reason I am concerned about the upper parts of the house is due to problems with ice damming. This had created some water damage in the past, and continues to threaten one part of the house. Again thanks, and most likely we are going to have insulation blown in, plus adding other insulation (ie. better windows, etc.) Andrew M.

Radiant Wizard

Raychem \"Frostex\"

They make a system for your ice problem. Kinda like heat tape for your roof

heretic

Ice dams

Ice dams are not really a big factor in your selection.
If anything, the radiant floors would have a slight edge in doing a bit less to encourage convection. Lower air temps=less convective heat loss. Less warm air lost into attic means a lower risk of ice dams.

No heating system is really going to solve your problem, however.
Ice dams are generally caused by warm air escaping into the attic, heating the roof, and melting the snow. Sealing air leaks into the attic will stop the dams, and is a much better investment in energy saving than new windows.
Best of luck.

Andrew M.

I just wanted to say thanks again, I do appreciate all the reponses and help. Andrew