Embedding Tubes in Sand .. on the main floor !?!

Einsiedler_2

I have a customer that wants to have their tubing installed within sleepers on main floor level... embedded in sand.

Have done this type of install with both heat transfer plates & reflective foil, but never with sand.

The link given to me was... www.radiantcompany.com

I've sent them an EMail to get some data on this granular installation, but have received nothing to date.

HAve any Wallies ever tried this method or have an opinion on its validity.??

Thanks in advance,
Einsiedler

Carl PE

never tried it.

seems like the sand would find it's way out sooner or later..

please tell us you're not looking at an open system.

hr

Skip the sand

in addition to the points mentioned in this article, seems like an excellent place for ants to take up residency


http://www.pmmag.com/CDA/ArticleInformation/features/BNP__Features__Item/0,2379,116124,00.html

hot rod

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Dave_38

Sand-

is an insulator not a heat bank, anyone who has tried walking on a beach on a hot day will tell you how hot the sand is on your feet, dig down two inches and you will find cool sand, spend an evening in the desert and see how long the sand holds heat after sundown and you will know even more about it. Final point is this, IT DOES NOT WORK! I would also be some little bit worried about the weight of this project. Sounds to me a lot like somebodies dream child put on the internet.

Einsiedler_2

Thank you Gentlemen

Excellent Article/Link !

I will now spend my next efforts on this project, educating the customer.. wish me luck!!

"Everything's better wet"

Regards,

Einsiedler

RoosterBoy

i could not agree with dave more dave your right man good point.

Unknown

we did it once

and it's the only job I ever did that never performed to expectations. Part of the home heated great. But both ends of the house ended up needing supplemental.

We'll never use the method again.

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jerry scharf_2

\"everything's better wet\"

Actually, if you kept the sand saturated, it too might work better.

jerry

Gary Myers_2

Sand Bed

Here is a link to a fellow who used PEX in sand under a concrete floor - note that he WETTED the sand down as Jerry mentioned. The concrete had conventional radiant PEX in it as well, heated by an AquaStar or some such. The sand PEX was heated by solar collectors with the ability to shunt the heat away during the summer. It seems to be working well for him; note that you can read real time floor temps, outside / inside temps etc on his website:
http://www.daycreek.com/dc/HTML/journal061100.htm

Gary Myers

Einsiedler_2

different app.

thanks for the link.
it appears that the application on the website is for a concrete floor (embedding tubes in sand under concrete)

I'd still be nervous about using sand as thee thermal mass on a main or upper floor.

Thanks,
EIN

Marty_3

Radiant sand

I read an article written by John Siegenthaler in 'Plumbing and Mechanical' some time ago (year?) about this very subject. He proved with physics that this method is one to stay away from. Like Dave says, sand is an insulator, not a heat emitter.