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in floor hydronic heating system design

rich48
rich48 Member Posts: 4
I was wondering if anyone knows of information or where i could get good information on how to design an in floor radiant heating system for my house. Its a ranch house being built this summer and the basement cellar will have in floor heat also. thanks!

Comments

  • Rich_49
    Rich_49 Member Posts: 2,766
    Will you be doing this yourself or will you have the plumber do it ?
    Where are you located ?
    You didn't get what you didn't pay for and it will never be what you thought it would .
    Langans Plumbing & Heating LLC
    732-751-1560
    Serving most of New Jersey, Eastern Pa .
    Consultation, Design & Installation anywhere
    Rich McGrath 732-581-3833
  • the_donut
    the_donut Member Posts: 374
    How informative do you want? Modern hydronic heating is very much an engineers approach to hydronic design.
  • HomerJSmith
    HomerJSmith Member Posts: 2,426
    edited March 2018
    Buy John Siegenthaler, PE, book "Modern Hydronic Heating" , latest edition, and read it over and over again until you understand how to construct a properly operating infloor hydronic sys. Don't get overwhelmed, it was written for 12th graders.
    rich48Brewbeer
  • rich48
    rich48 Member Posts: 4
    I will do that thank you very much!
  • Zman
    Zman Member Posts: 7,561
    As much as I love Modern Hydronic Heating, it is overwhelming to those who don't already have a strong math background and some expertise in the field.
    I would start with this one from this sites founder https://heatinghelp.com/store/detail/hydronic-radiant-heating-a-practical-guide-for-the-nonengineer-installer
    "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"
    Albert Einstein
    Rich_49
  • rich48
    rich48 Member Posts: 4
    I just want information on where to look or who to get ahold of to get an idea of how to properly build an in floor hydronic system with all the correct components.
  • HomerJSmith
    HomerJSmith Member Posts: 2,426
    edited March 2018
    Just ignore the math, I never really understood it either and I read the book 4 times. It is much more than adequate to tell you how a system should be put together. But...the more information you have the more successful you will be, so, go with Zman's recommendation, too.
    rich48
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,367
    The first thing you need is to do an ACCURATE, SCIENTIFIC heat loss calculation like an ACCA Manual J or equivalent. This is THE foundation for designing everything. Without it, you don't even have a target to shoot at.

    As far as designing it yourself: if you're not mathematically and scientifically inclined, I would not recommend it. Even if you are, without trade experience, I wouldn't recommend it.

    There are some very capable designers on here, including Rich McGrath and Zman. I'd highly recommend contacting one of them. That way, you'll get it done right and have the opportunity of learning at the same time.
    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
    HomerJSmith
  • Rich_49
    Rich_49 Member Posts: 2,766

    Just ignore the math, I never really understood it either and I read the book 4 times. It is much more than adequate to tell you how a system should be put together. But...the more information you have the more successful you will be, so, go with Zman's recommendation, too.

    No , don't ignore the math . DO THE MATH .
    You didn't get what you didn't pay for and it will never be what you thought it would .
    Langans Plumbing & Heating LLC
    732-751-1560
    Serving most of New Jersey, Eastern Pa .
    Consultation, Design & Installation anywhere
    Rich McGrath 732-581-3833
    IronmanMark EathertonZman
  • rich48
    rich48 Member Posts: 4
    I’ll look into all the info I’ve received so far thanks! So I do HVAC for a living and I will be installing everything myself, I’ve just never done a radiant system. I live in upstate NY and it will be new construction.
    Rich_49
  • HomerJSmith
    HomerJSmith Member Posts: 2,426
    edited March 2018
    Rich, don't get your knickers in a twist, it was a joke.

    I know that Zurn, Wirsbo(now Uponor), and Rehau have design books with nomograms that do the math for you. You may find these online. They are packed with radiant heating design criteria and more easily understood.

    http://www.zurn.com/media-library/web_documents/pdfs/zpm02101-pdf.aspx

    https://www.uponorpro.com/~/media/extranet/files/manuals/heating_hb99_rprnt10-7.ashx?version=062220160829

    http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/9c73a879#/9c73a879/52

    It all starts with a zone by zone whole house heat loss calculation.
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 22,022
    Another option for some learning. Technical journals broken down into bite size pieces. Start with the Fundamentals issue #12 and jump around to the others that apply to your quest for information. Quick reads, lots of pictures and product options. PDF or hard copies available.

    I have back issues if anyone is missing some.

    https://www.caleffi.com/usa/en-us/technical-magazine
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    HomerJSmith
  • HomerJSmith
    HomerJSmith Member Posts: 2,426
    I wish Caleffi would print the Idronics magazine without legs, they always seem to walk off.