new home heating help

Greg Plouff

I will be building a two story home in Michigan, about 1,800 sq ft. I would like to have the entire first floor heated with radiant heat, under ceramic tile over a mud base. I would like to use baseboard on the second floor as it will be carpeted. Can I or should I use a condensing boiler for this? Will it make sense to use the boiler for domestic hot water and can a condensing boiler do both jobs?

Thanks Greg

hr

Wise choices

I would build about the same system. Nice to have quick responding baseboard in the carpeted, sleeping areas. A much better match than floor radiant, IMO!

You could size the baseboard for lower supply temperatures to stay closer to the condensing mode of a boiler. I like Slant Fin #30 baseboard, and their tables go down to 140° supply temperatures. It will cost you more footage, but will be a nice quiet system.

Yes, most condensing boilers have controls to allow DHW generation, on priority.

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Dale

Yes

However, the 2nd floor of the house will need alot of insulation and not too much glass. Condensing is the way to go with the current and probably future fuel prices,you just need to lower the upper floor heat loss to where a lower inlet water temp will give you the output you want with what you think is a reasonable length of baseboard. Also, if there's a bath on the second floor that should be radiant. You can also add some heat by radiant to lower walls upstairs or on the stairway sides.