Radiant ceiling retro

Jay_17

I've seen most of those, The looks of a suspended ceiling won't fly with the wife (or me). It would need to be basically a normal looking ceiling to be acceptable. I was considering pulling down the plaster, and then something like installing foam on the joists for insulation, then grooved plywood with pipes and then some finish with either thin sheetrock or some other thin material. This would probably end up only a little thicker than current plaster.
Jay

Jay_17

Radiant

Does anyone make a system of radiant (hydronic) ceiling panels? I have done a bit of searching and besides suspended ceiling (electric) I haven't found a product.
I am considering using this to retrofit the second floor of my house (3 floors) because it seems it would be easier to route the pipes near the ceiling avoiding doors and such. Also the old plaster ceilings arent so great anymore, lots of cracking.
Am I on my own to devise a system?
Jay

GMcD

Surprised you haven't found these

There are a few commercial hydronic radiant ceiling panels that should be available from your local wholesaler or HVAC sales agents:

http://www.redec.com/

http://www.twapanels.ca/

http://www.sun-el.com/index.html

http://www.engineeredair.com/ProductDetail.asp?ProductID=19

And a good general link for ceiling radiant heating and cooling systems and dedicated outdoor air systems:

http://doas-radiant.psu.edu/links.html

Unknown

everyone does

Jay,

1x6 pine run perpinidcular to your existing roof joist, attach single Omega Alum transfer plates, snap in 1/2PEX.

Most PEX manufatures show this type of intall in their installation manuals.

I installed a system like this in my master bedroom and loved it! (past tense because I no longer own the home)

I suggest you use a weather responsive supply temp.

Regards,

Steve

GMcD

Karo capillary tubes

OK then your application sounds like a perfect one for the applied capillary tubes - see www.naturalcooling.com

They are in Chicago, the stuff is imported from Europe, so not cheap, but can be a simple "plastered-in" application.

Jay_17

Good info

Thanks guys,
Am I right in thinking I should put some insulation like foam above the tube installation? It seems like the ceiling should be isolated from as well as possible. I have fairly high ceilings so I have room to work, plus if I rip down the existing that is probably well over an inch with the furring strips and lathe. I think the plate approach sounds good. Yesterday I thought of my own system with (from the ceiling down) insulation, some kind of grooved tubing retainer, a sheet of aluminum, drywall. I have some time to think and search, thanks for the leads!
Jay

Unknown

insulation

Jay,

Heat will move in the path of least resistance.

Like the sun on a cloudless day heating us (sun is the radiant source heating us), or the chill you feel on a cloudless star lit night (we are the heat source trying to radiant heat the universe).

On a cloudy night the clouds are an insualtion blanket which is why you do not feel as cold on a cloudy spring night as opposed to a clear star lit evening. This is also why you want to sit with your honey outside watching stars (clear night)... more cuddle time to stay warm. Now you are the insulation blanket!

Insulate on the side of the radiant that you do not want the heat to travel to.

steve