Radiant heat under floating floor, or pellet stove in basement
I have a customer who wants a heating system and a floating floor installed in a dry basement. I know this is doable with the right products, but I want to maximize efficiency, and I’m frankly overwhelmed by the number of options. The existing space has forced hot air heat, but only one outlet for it in the entire 1200 sq. ft. basement, so it would technically be supplementary heating. Their ideal solution is radiant floor heat, but they don’t want their electric bill to spike. I’m wondering about putting radiant heat in portions of each room, rather than throughout, and wondering how to calculate a balance between price and heating ability. I’m in Maryland where the climate’s not bad. Alternatively, I could do a pellet stove, or just sub out to have a mini split installed, or increase the forced hot air outlets if the system could handle it, but they’d prefer radiant floor heat for the walking-around-in-bare-feet luxury of it. Any recommendations on brands (of heating systems and of floating floors), calculation methods, etc.?
Replies
What about a tile floor with schluter ditra heat?
That would work, but they don't want tile
I would think some insulation on the floor and any floating floor would be comfy, but I am not your customer.
https://www.warmboard.com/products/ These folks seem to offer a few options and would be a source of ideas.
If your customer has a domestic water heater that is not electric resistance heat, it may be acceptable to tap it as the heat source. (Might want to upsize it, or install a mixing valve for the domestic use and increase the operating temperature (and heat storage capability) of the water heater.)
The basic idea is a thermostat-controlled hot water loop inside the floor structure, with a circulation pump.
Design driver of such a system, (as with any) starts with the heat loss. For your system, it will not need to transfer too much heat. (but numbers are always a better idea.)
You might need a separate mixing valve for the in-floor loops. (to reduce the supply temperature)
https://www.zurn.com/media-library/web_documents/pdfs/zpm02101-pdf.aspx
seems to have some relevant info.
Thank you, this is helpful. I believe they were envisioning direct electric radiant heating rather than hydronic, but as I understand hydronic is more efficient, so maybe that's the better long term option. This is all more complicated than they were expecting, but it always is, isn't it?
Electric will be cheaper for the install and never leak.
For a minor heat load, the expense will not be too great.
https://kc.warmyourfloor.com/can-i-install-the-ditra-heat-membrane-under-wood-or-laminate-flooring/
The best part is , after the thrill wears off, it can be turned off and ignored.
I still would engage a local HVAC firm to see about a few more vents and a return for the space.