best type of radiant heat

Paul_33

Plain on building a new house. Definitly going radiant in floor. What is the best way to install, staple up or on top of floor with gypcreat.

Ted_9

Application

We'll It all depands on application but for new construction, I would rule out staple-up. If your building now, use an above floor method that works best in situation. Also consult a radiant heat installer. You can look on this site "Find a Pro" or go to RPAs' "Locate a contractor" search.


Radiant Panel Association


Patriot Heating & Cooling, Inc.

GMcD

First, deal with the envelope

Radiant heating works best when the perimeter heat losses are minimized by an excellent envelope and high performance windows. Every dollar spent on the envelope will save a dollar on the house HVAC systems, and save you operating costs for the life of the building. The "best" radiant heating system is, in my opinion, a radiant concrete slab, even a topping slab - durable, reasonable mass for thermal storage and even temperature.

For a new building, do the "whole system approach", and the windows and envelope are part of the "whole system". Design for orientation, climate adapted, and passive systems for climate control. Keep the climate outside the building in the first place.

Ted_9

So find a professional contractor in your area.
Patriot Heating & Cooling, Inc.

Eric_14

Hvac Lovers

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Dof3

Staple up is time consuming and expensive to install. It takes alot of heat to push up through the floor. I have done a number of them recently because the GC and HO didn't want to go with extra weight of gypcrete. They work quite well but I won't do anymore of them{staple up}. It is best to get a pro to do this type of heating system like the other fellas said, I have seen HO do it and kind of mess some of the things up.Good luck!!

Big Ed

Mass

Mass heating mass is radiant .....Go with the cement

Ted_9

Dont forget about wood or aluminum panels. This type of install may cost more but it have better response times. But just talk to some pros. Then hire or work with one. You'll be glad you did.
Patriot Heating & Cooling, Inc.

hr

Pros and cons

Floor coverings need to be considered. I don't care for tile over gyp products. Many tilesetters refuse to go over gyp underlayments.

Gyp does add some mass. A plus or minus depending on your climate. It does add a fire protection element, and noise reduction. Seals around bottom plate and sheetrock very nicely. A fairly easy "top down" tube installation.

Think if I were to build tomorrow I look hard at Warmboard. Excellent performance, quick recovery and shut down. Friendly to all floor coverings. A nice solid nailing for hardwood and CBS backers. Joist spacing can be adjusted wider, in some cases.

Heat transfer plates a close 2nd to WB. A bit more labor if used on top with furring strips, etc. Fairly simple from below IF you beat the other subs to the job

I'd build with ICFs in the ground. SIPs above. OR 2X6 framing with isoneyne spray foam insulation to glue, tighten, and seal all air gaps.

Actually the frame construction with spray foam is a bit more sub contractor friendly for plumbing, electrical, and other trades. easier to make changes along the way as far as window size and placement, etc.

SIPs NEED to be installed by a qualified contractor. Seen plenty of DIYer botched SIP installs. Really need a plumb, level, square foundation to make the install hassle free.

Good article on SIPs in FHB a couple issues back.

Did my first steel stud SIP job last fall. Very nice straight easy to handle panels. One problem, potentially a big one! They snap, crackle, and pop as the sun comes up and goes down. The thermal expansion in all that steel makes for some interesting sounds, the homeowner tells me. sort of like a submarine as it dives Gotta imagine that works on the fastners i.e. sheetrock and siding screws, after a while. Ever see how screws back out of a metal roofed building as the years go by. The expansion and contraction of the steel sheets works on the fasteners. Seen it with my own two eyes!

You really need to address IAQ with tightly constructed and insulated homes. Need to be able to move some air, introduce outside air, humidify, dehumidify, filter at various times. The days of radiant only are slipping by, IMO, with tight home construction.

Find a contractor that can blend all the HVAC pieces of the puzzle for a comfortable, healthy living enviroment.

hot rod

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