Replies

1. 
   DavidThomas | May 15, 2002 11:48pm | #1

   Well, heck, one could write a book to answer those questions.  I think Wirsbo did.

   There's slab-on-grade, staple-up and poured gypcrete options for a radiant floor.  They can all be made to work fine, but the details are different.  If you already are planning for slab-on-grade, then RFH will be a cheap option because it is quick and easy to add the tubing just before the concrete pour.  Gypcrete is considerably more involved because the crawl-space and/or second floor joists must be beefed up for the added weight.

   I think it is "worth it", definitely.  I put "worth it" in quotes because for my own house RFH was the cheapest way to go by a long shot.  Lacking a slab-on-grade, is it worth it?  I still think so.  Not in a spec house or if you're really having to pinch pennies.  But I'd go RFH long before putting in granite countertops, SS appliances, 6-burners shower or a jacuzzi.  Having warm feet in the winter is so nice and there are no hot or cold spots in the house.

   Since you are asking these basic questions, I'd advise against it as a DIY project.  I'd also advise against using any contractor or plumber that hasn't put in ten or more systems and had more than a year to get feedback on them.  There are a number of tricks to acheive a responsive, versatile system.  Nothing really complicated, but there is a learning curve.

   Find that experienced installer, check references (!!) and let the installer guide you on brands and options.  Until you nail down a few more specifics (which type of system, your location, fuel type, etc), it's hard to give more specific answers in this setting.

   David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska
2. 
   GCourter | May 16, 2002 03:35am | #2

   Get a Wirsbro book!  I am starting my fourth radiant heat project.  Two in WV, one in Va, and one in Fl.  These people know what they are doing.  I use a supplier in Pittsburgh.  I really the product.  Try doing your own dosmetic water next.

3. 
   TLRice | May 16, 2002 02:33pm | #3

   Bill,

   Are you asking about radiant FLOOR heat (RFH) or radiant heat in general, like baseboard finned tube convectors and/or radiators? If you interest is RFH, the other posts offer the best advice. If not, many options exist and what is "best" depends more on your preferences than one method being superior to another.

   Tim

4. 
   Mongo | May 16, 2002 05:53pm | #4

   Bill,

   While I, and others, understand your question, it is, as David wrote, very open-ended. Wirsbo does have a book...Complete Design and Assistance Manual...that they advertise for $25, though most materials suppliers have them available for free. It's not a manual that will hold your hand through an installation, but it gives a fair amount of technological info regarding layout and design.

   Realize a couple of things...this is the heating system of your home. It will provide you comfort in wintertime. If it's inadequately designed...you're hosed. If it's improperly installed...your hosed. Adjustments can be made, but it's best to get them right form the start.

   That said, there's really not a whole lot of voo-doo science behind RFH. In concept, it's simple. How it works is simple.

   If, and I mean, IF, you are a competent, I see you having no problem DIYing a staple-up system. You can;t DIT gypcrete, and I never really advise anyone to DIY concrete slabs because of the nasty downside. You screw up a slab and you're dead meat in a fabulously dead way. For a staple-up, you can drill holes, run and staple up the tubing, assemble and hang the manifolds, and connect the tubing to the manifolds.

   I'd advise bringing someone in to install and hitch up the boiler, 4-way mixng valves, control boxes and pumps, etc, and allowing that person to wire those together. You could install the t-stats in the house and drop the wire to the basement (or control location). You could install the outdoor rest, the thermocouples, etc, and run the wire from those to the control location. Still, from there, I'd advise having a competent pro do the final wiring, relay throwing, switch flipping and valve tweaking. It's easy to screw it up, and if you screw it up, it's tough getting a good person to come in and unscramble your electrical spaghetti.

   For tubing, get quality tubing, one that is cross-linked via the Engel method. Get manifolds that have flow control valves for each loop so you can tweak water flow, and thus heat distribution, to each loop. It's likely these will be set once during the first heating season and never touched again...unless room use changes.

   Heed maximum loop lengths. Have a heat gun for unscrambling tubing kinks.

   I use Tekmar controls and Taco pumps...most of the time. They're readily available from my supplier.

   In the end, only you know what you can do, and what you can't do, and hopefully you're smart enough to categorize your skills. Read up and educate yourself on these systems. Draw schematics to allow you to see what you don't know. Answer the unknowns, and then decide if you're up to tackling this job.