Archive for August, 2008
How Much Does Radiant Heat Cost?
Posted by radiant heat in In Floor Radiant Heat on August 23rd, 2008
Bruce Lipski asked:
If you are thinking of switching to radiant heat in your home, you might be wondering how much it will cost. That depends on what type of radiant heat you install and in how many rooms you install it. Generally though, electric radiant heat is cheaper than hydronic. But just how much cheaper?
If you install an electric radiant heat floor in your bathroom or kitchen it will probably cost somewhere between $500 and $900. The same thing may cost over $4,000 for a hydronic system. By comparison, forced air heating would cost about $200 per room which is why almost all new homes are being built with forced air. It is very rare that you will find any new home being built by a builder with radiant heat.
Why is hydronic radiant heat so much more expensive than electric heat? The first reason is that you have to install a boiler or some other means of heating the water. Additionally, you have to get the pipes under the floor(s) and they usually need to be embedded in concrete. A complete hydronic radiant heat system in a medium sized house can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 which is quite expensive and out of financial reach of many people.
If you are just building your new home, that is the best time to install hydronic radiant heat. Doing it later makes it much too expensive and makes electric radiant heat the better choice. If you are buying a home in a development and want hydronic heat, ask the builder as soon as possible whether this is something they can install. Hydronic heat is the preferred heat of most people because it is better on your skin and it is silent. If you do have the chance to have it put into your new home, it will most certainly increase the value of your house whenever you decide to sell it.
If you are thinking of electric radiant heat, it’s advantage is that it is relatively easy to install in individual rooms such as the bathroom and kitchen. Pads with electric circuits are put in under the floors and there are no moving parts like a hydronic system.
Electric radiant heat is the simpler choice for most people and the cheaper of the two kinds of heat. Most people who install electric radiant heat in an existing house do it only in a few selected rooms such as the bathroom. This is because the bathroom is the first room you go to when you wake up and having a warm bathroom floor is very nice.
Kristin
If you are thinking of switching to radiant heat in your home, you might be wondering how much it will cost. That depends on what type of radiant heat you install and in how many rooms you install it. Generally though, electric radiant heat is cheaper than hydronic. But just how much cheaper?
If you install an electric radiant heat floor in your bathroom or kitchen it will probably cost somewhere between $500 and $900. The same thing may cost over $4,000 for a hydronic system. By comparison, forced air heating would cost about $200 per room which is why almost all new homes are being built with forced air. It is very rare that you will find any new home being built by a builder with radiant heat.
Why is hydronic radiant heat so much more expensive than electric heat? The first reason is that you have to install a boiler or some other means of heating the water. Additionally, you have to get the pipes under the floor(s) and they usually need to be embedded in concrete. A complete hydronic radiant heat system in a medium sized house can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 which is quite expensive and out of financial reach of many people.
If you are just building your new home, that is the best time to install hydronic radiant heat. Doing it later makes it much too expensive and makes electric radiant heat the better choice. If you are buying a home in a development and want hydronic heat, ask the builder as soon as possible whether this is something they can install. Hydronic heat is the preferred heat of most people because it is better on your skin and it is silent. If you do have the chance to have it put into your new home, it will most certainly increase the value of your house whenever you decide to sell it.
If you are thinking of electric radiant heat, it’s advantage is that it is relatively easy to install in individual rooms such as the bathroom and kitchen. Pads with electric circuits are put in under the floors and there are no moving parts like a hydronic system.
Electric radiant heat is the simpler choice for most people and the cheaper of the two kinds of heat. Most people who install electric radiant heat in an existing house do it only in a few selected rooms such as the bathroom. This is because the bathroom is the first room you go to when you wake up and having a warm bathroom floor is very nice.
Kristin
Solar Heating, Solar Thermal, and Solar Hot Water Systems
Posted by radiant heat in In Floor Radiant Heat on August 12th, 2008
Cooler Planet asked:
Solar Heating (Solar Thermal) Systems
Using solar power to heat your water is one of the most practical and cost effective ways to harness energy from the sun. Solar thermal systems absorb the sun’s heat and use it to heat your residence’s own hot water needs. In general, the solar thermal system will easily heat water to 140ºF or higher matching the range of its traditional hot water tank counterpart. Effective systems can collect up to 70 percent of the sun’s energy that reaches them and transfer it to you.
How Solar Hot Water Heating Systems Work
In general there are two types of active water heating systems: direct and indirect.
Direct Solar Water Heating
As implied, direct systems capture the sun’s heat in collectors to directly heat a household’s water supply. The system consists of collector pipes filled with water that are linked to an insulated storage tank usually located inside a home. As the sun heats the water inside the pipes, the water flows into the storage tank. Although direct systems are more efficient that indirect ones, they require more maintenance to keep the pipes clear of mineral deposits. Direct solar thermal systems also work best in warmer climates where the system is less prone to freezing.
Indirect Solar Water Heating
Indirect systems do not heat the water directly rather they use fluid with a low-freezing point to absorb radiant energy from the sun. Also termed closed-loop systems, an indirect solar water heating system absorbs the sun’s rays into heat pipes evacuated of air which in turn heats up the pipe’s thin copper laminate located on the back of each pipe. The collection array consists of multiple heating pipes that are mounted and tilted to maximize solar collection.
Often glycol (an ingredient in antifreeze) runs through adjacent pipes within the array and heats up via contact with the copper laminate. As the temperature in the pipes rise, the heat activates a pump that circulates the glycol fluid through a heat exchange coil in the water tank. That coil, in turn, transfers its heat to the water tank and voila, hot water is produced.
Solar Pool and Hot Tub Heating Systems
Solar pool heating systems work on a similar principle to a direct system solar hot water heater. However, because the water can heat up too much in a solar thermal system, the collector’s glazing is often removed. Using non-glazed pipes or a heating system that resembles a flat black mat prevents the pool water from becoming super-heated as well as reduces costs to the overall system.
While solar pool and hot tub heating systems often are exempted from federal and state monetary incentives and rebates, they often pay for themselves within 1–5 years (depending mostly on where you live).
Radiant Heating Systems For Your Home
You can also use a solar hot water (or thermal) system to heat your home. Rather than transferring the heated water to a domestic hot water heater, the solar hot water system can connect to a radiant floor and/or wall panel radiator.
You can make the collection and distribution system as simple or complicated as you like depending on your location, climate, and intended use. Most radiant heating systems use the collection array to heat water and store it in a large thermal collection tank so that you have enough heat to last at least throughout the night. A general rule of thumb is to have a collection tank that can store 1½ to 2 gallons of water for every square foot of solar collector. That water, in turn, is piped via plastic tubing under floors to create an effective heating system.
Radiant floor heating systems have many advantages. They are typically 40 percent more efficient than a forced air heating system and can be zoned so that each room has its own thermostat. Furthermore, radiant floors distribute heat beneath your feet where it naturally rises providing a cozy and evenly distributed heated living space.
Tips for Installing Solar Hot Water Systems
Solar Hot Water Heater Tips for Cooler Climates
In cooler climates during the colder times of the year, an indirect solar hot water system can help lower your energy costs by working as a water preheating system rather than an outright water heater. Preheated water reduces the load on your other energy systems to heat the water.
Another trick to increase the system’s efficiency is to wrap your water tank with an insulation blanket to keep the water sufficiently warm and further minimize the need to rely on traditional power sources to heat your water. (Note that not all water heaters need an insulation blanket. Many of the newer energy-efficient models come with a thicker layer of insulation inside the tank that eliminates the need for additional insulation).
Where to Place a Solar Thermal Collection System
Like other types of solar energy systems, solar hot water heating systems work best on south-facing walls with full sun exposure. Because of the collector tubes’ type of construction, the outside elements have less effect on its performance compared to a photovoltaic collection system; a bit of shade on the thermal array will have a less noticeable impact.
Work with a Solar Pro
As with any solar power upgrade, consulting with a solar professional can help you evaluate your potential savings and determine the type of solar hot water system that’s best for you. Solar thermal panels come both as stand-alone collection arrays and as integrated building panels. A solar pro can size your system and help you compare the different options for the collection panels and water tank you may need. And remember, solar domestic water systems often qualify for federal, state, and local tax credits and rebates!
Beverly
Solar Heating (Solar Thermal) Systems
Using solar power to heat your water is one of the most practical and cost effective ways to harness energy from the sun. Solar thermal systems absorb the sun’s heat and use it to heat your residence’s own hot water needs. In general, the solar thermal system will easily heat water to 140ºF or higher matching the range of its traditional hot water tank counterpart. Effective systems can collect up to 70 percent of the sun’s energy that reaches them and transfer it to you.
How Solar Hot Water Heating Systems Work
In general there are two types of active water heating systems: direct and indirect.
Direct Solar Water Heating
As implied, direct systems capture the sun’s heat in collectors to directly heat a household’s water supply. The system consists of collector pipes filled with water that are linked to an insulated storage tank usually located inside a home. As the sun heats the water inside the pipes, the water flows into the storage tank. Although direct systems are more efficient that indirect ones, they require more maintenance to keep the pipes clear of mineral deposits. Direct solar thermal systems also work best in warmer climates where the system is less prone to freezing.
Indirect Solar Water Heating
Indirect systems do not heat the water directly rather they use fluid with a low-freezing point to absorb radiant energy from the sun. Also termed closed-loop systems, an indirect solar water heating system absorbs the sun’s rays into heat pipes evacuated of air which in turn heats up the pipe’s thin copper laminate located on the back of each pipe. The collection array consists of multiple heating pipes that are mounted and tilted to maximize solar collection.
Often glycol (an ingredient in antifreeze) runs through adjacent pipes within the array and heats up via contact with the copper laminate. As the temperature in the pipes rise, the heat activates a pump that circulates the glycol fluid through a heat exchange coil in the water tank. That coil, in turn, transfers its heat to the water tank and voila, hot water is produced.
Solar Pool and Hot Tub Heating Systems
Solar pool heating systems work on a similar principle to a direct system solar hot water heater. However, because the water can heat up too much in a solar thermal system, the collector’s glazing is often removed. Using non-glazed pipes or a heating system that resembles a flat black mat prevents the pool water from becoming super-heated as well as reduces costs to the overall system.
While solar pool and hot tub heating systems often are exempted from federal and state monetary incentives and rebates, they often pay for themselves within 1–5 years (depending mostly on where you live).
Radiant Heating Systems For Your Home
You can also use a solar hot water (or thermal) system to heat your home. Rather than transferring the heated water to a domestic hot water heater, the solar hot water system can connect to a radiant floor and/or wall panel radiator.
You can make the collection and distribution system as simple or complicated as you like depending on your location, climate, and intended use. Most radiant heating systems use the collection array to heat water and store it in a large thermal collection tank so that you have enough heat to last at least throughout the night. A general rule of thumb is to have a collection tank that can store 1½ to 2 gallons of water for every square foot of solar collector. That water, in turn, is piped via plastic tubing under floors to create an effective heating system.
Radiant floor heating systems have many advantages. They are typically 40 percent more efficient than a forced air heating system and can be zoned so that each room has its own thermostat. Furthermore, radiant floors distribute heat beneath your feet where it naturally rises providing a cozy and evenly distributed heated living space.
Tips for Installing Solar Hot Water Systems
Solar Hot Water Heater Tips for Cooler Climates
In cooler climates during the colder times of the year, an indirect solar hot water system can help lower your energy costs by working as a water preheating system rather than an outright water heater. Preheated water reduces the load on your other energy systems to heat the water.
Another trick to increase the system’s efficiency is to wrap your water tank with an insulation blanket to keep the water sufficiently warm and further minimize the need to rely on traditional power sources to heat your water. (Note that not all water heaters need an insulation blanket. Many of the newer energy-efficient models come with a thicker layer of insulation inside the tank that eliminates the need for additional insulation).
Where to Place a Solar Thermal Collection System
Like other types of solar energy systems, solar hot water heating systems work best on south-facing walls with full sun exposure. Because of the collector tubes’ type of construction, the outside elements have less effect on its performance compared to a photovoltaic collection system; a bit of shade on the thermal array will have a less noticeable impact.
Work with a Solar Pro
As with any solar power upgrade, consulting with a solar professional can help you evaluate your potential savings and determine the type of solar hot water system that’s best for you. Solar thermal panels come both as stand-alone collection arrays and as integrated building panels. A solar pro can size your system and help you compare the different options for the collection panels and water tank you may need. And remember, solar domestic water systems often qualify for federal, state, and local tax credits and rebates!
Beverly
Tips For Handing Your Radiant Heat Tubing
Posted by radiant heat in In Floor Radiant Heat on August 3rd, 2008
Larry B Lang asked:
A radiant heat system is a series of radiant heat tubes that are laid within a floor, which carry hot water into specific rooms or “zones”.
During the preparation and installation of a radiant heat system you should take precautionary measures to protect the radiant heat tubing.
Radiant heat tubing is also known as PEX and is an excellent material for hot water applications. It’s a cross-linked Polyethylene which means that is has been processed to create a more durable molecule that resists creep deformation and chemical attach under extreme temperatures.
Damaged tubing in a radiant heat system will come back to haunt you and could cause unnecessary delays and costly repairs.
Here are some important tips that you should follow in order to protect your radiant heat tubing. It covers storage, unrolling and installation of your radiant heat tubing.
PEX tubing is not for outdoor applications and must be stored in a covered environment not exposed to direct sunlight. It’s best to leave your radiant heat tubing away from your windows; this also means never leaving it outside, without properly covering or protecting it from the sunlight. Sixty days is the maximum UV exposure time for PEX. And if a supplier has stored their radiant heat tubing outside – don’t buy it.
You should also protect your radiant heat tubing from debris. By keeping the ends taped up, you will stop dust, pet hair or other things from entering the radiant heat tubing. Keeping your radiant heat tubing debris free is always best.
When removing your radiant heat tubing from its coil, it’s best to roll it off the roll. When unrolling your radiant heat tubing, if you notice a piece of tape, leave it alone. Often manufactures will mark areas that have kinks or holes. You will need to splice that particular section so make note of the marking.
As far as installation goes, if you are doing a staple-up installation you shouldn’t allow your radiant heat tubing to sag. To protect the radiant heat tubing it’s always best to support it every 16 inches and if your tubing runs close to any lights, especially recessed lighting you should insulate that portion of tubing to protect it from damage. Ultraviolet light will cause accelerated aging of your radiant heat tubes.
Do not install radiant heat tubing to close to your toilets. The heat could melt the wax ring. Also avoid running radiant heat under your refrigerator, stove, freezer, and kitchen cabinets. If you do put tubing in these areas insulate the tubing with a foam pipe insulation, and put a piece of radiant barrier between the sub-floor and the tubing under the appliance or cabinets.
Lastly, when installing your radiant heat tubing, never let it rub on any electrical wires. This may damage the radiant heat tubing and create future problems. If your electrician is working around your radiant heat system, make sure your electrician understands the importance of not damaging the radiant heat tubing when he/she pulls wires.
By taking a little extra care with your radiant heat tubing you will help ensure a trouble free radiant heat system.
Chester
A radiant heat system is a series of radiant heat tubes that are laid within a floor, which carry hot water into specific rooms or “zones”.
During the preparation and installation of a radiant heat system you should take precautionary measures to protect the radiant heat tubing.
Radiant heat tubing is also known as PEX and is an excellent material for hot water applications. It’s a cross-linked Polyethylene which means that is has been processed to create a more durable molecule that resists creep deformation and chemical attach under extreme temperatures.
Damaged tubing in a radiant heat system will come back to haunt you and could cause unnecessary delays and costly repairs.
Here are some important tips that you should follow in order to protect your radiant heat tubing. It covers storage, unrolling and installation of your radiant heat tubing.
PEX tubing is not for outdoor applications and must be stored in a covered environment not exposed to direct sunlight. It’s best to leave your radiant heat tubing away from your windows; this also means never leaving it outside, without properly covering or protecting it from the sunlight. Sixty days is the maximum UV exposure time for PEX. And if a supplier has stored their radiant heat tubing outside – don’t buy it.
You should also protect your radiant heat tubing from debris. By keeping the ends taped up, you will stop dust, pet hair or other things from entering the radiant heat tubing. Keeping your radiant heat tubing debris free is always best.
When removing your radiant heat tubing from its coil, it’s best to roll it off the roll. When unrolling your radiant heat tubing, if you notice a piece of tape, leave it alone. Often manufactures will mark areas that have kinks or holes. You will need to splice that particular section so make note of the marking.
As far as installation goes, if you are doing a staple-up installation you shouldn’t allow your radiant heat tubing to sag. To protect the radiant heat tubing it’s always best to support it every 16 inches and if your tubing runs close to any lights, especially recessed lighting you should insulate that portion of tubing to protect it from damage. Ultraviolet light will cause accelerated aging of your radiant heat tubes.
Do not install radiant heat tubing to close to your toilets. The heat could melt the wax ring. Also avoid running radiant heat under your refrigerator, stove, freezer, and kitchen cabinets. If you do put tubing in these areas insulate the tubing with a foam pipe insulation, and put a piece of radiant barrier between the sub-floor and the tubing under the appliance or cabinets.
Lastly, when installing your radiant heat tubing, never let it rub on any electrical wires. This may damage the radiant heat tubing and create future problems. If your electrician is working around your radiant heat system, make sure your electrician understands the importance of not damaging the radiant heat tubing when he/she pulls wires.
By taking a little extra care with your radiant heat tubing you will help ensure a trouble free radiant heat system.
Chester
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