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| Alternative-Heating-Info.com |
Types of Hydronic Radiant Heating Systems
Instead of embedding the tubing in concrete, it's laid in the grooves of pre-cut wood
panels attached to the sub-floor.
Whether you opt for concrete slab or wood under-layment installation, there are four
basic types of hydronic radiant heating systems for you to consider.
Open System
The open system uses one heat source, your domestic water heater, to provide both
floor heating and domestic hot water. The two systems are basically tied together.
The same water that ends up in your hot shower or dishwasher, for example, has
passed through the floor first.
This is a very efficient system because one heat source is doing all the work. As long
as the water heater is sized appropriately and matches your heating and domestic
needs, the need for a separate heating system is eliminated.
Closed System
This approach utilizes a dedicated heat source for the radiant floor. The fluid in a
closed system is re-circulated around and around in a completely closed loop. There is
no connection whatsoever to the domestic water supply.
The main advantage to this system lies in the fact that, being closed, anti-freeze
instead of water can be used as the heat transfer medium. If freeze protection is an
issue, than a closed system with anti-freeze is a good idea.
Heat Exchanger
This system uses an efficient heat exchanger to separate the potable domestic water
supply from the floor's anti-freeze mixture. Only one heat source is used and the
benefits of freeze protection can be fully utilized.
Another type of heat exchanger is water to air. This device looks something like a car
radiator and is installed in the plenum of an existing gas or oil fired furnace. Hot water
circulates through the heat exchanger and the furnace blower circulates the heated
air through your home's ductwork.
Solar Water Heating
Solar water heaters are commonly used as heat sources for radiant floor systems.
Normally, a large solar heated storage tank with electric, gas, or oil backup supplies
hot water to the radiant system and most often provides for domestic needs as well.
Solar heaters interface well with radiantly heated floors because the large thermal
mass common to radiant systems provides an excellent storage medium for the
energy generated during the day. At night, this stored thermal energy is slowly
released into the living space and a steady, even, and consistent comfort level is
maintained.
panels attached to the sub-floor.
Whether you opt for concrete slab or wood under-layment installation, there are four
basic types of hydronic radiant heating systems for you to consider.
Open System
The open system uses one heat source, your domestic water heater, to provide both
floor heating and domestic hot water. The two systems are basically tied together.
The same water that ends up in your hot shower or dishwasher, for example, has
passed through the floor first.
This is a very efficient system because one heat source is doing all the work. As long
as the water heater is sized appropriately and matches your heating and domestic
needs, the need for a separate heating system is eliminated.
Closed System
This approach utilizes a dedicated heat source for the radiant floor. The fluid in a
closed system is re-circulated around and around in a completely closed loop. There is
no connection whatsoever to the domestic water supply.
The main advantage to this system lies in the fact that, being closed, anti-freeze
instead of water can be used as the heat transfer medium. If freeze protection is an
issue, than a closed system with anti-freeze is a good idea.
Heat Exchanger
This system uses an efficient heat exchanger to separate the potable domestic water
supply from the floor's anti-freeze mixture. Only one heat source is used and the
benefits of freeze protection can be fully utilized.
Another type of heat exchanger is water to air. This device looks something like a car
radiator and is installed in the plenum of an existing gas or oil fired furnace. Hot water
circulates through the heat exchanger and the furnace blower circulates the heated
air through your home's ductwork.
Solar Water Heating
Solar water heaters are commonly used as heat sources for radiant floor systems.
Normally, a large solar heated storage tank with electric, gas, or oil backup supplies
hot water to the radiant system and most often provides for domestic needs as well.
Solar heaters interface well with radiantly heated floors because the large thermal
mass common to radiant systems provides an excellent storage medium for the
energy generated during the day. At night, this stored thermal energy is slowly
released into the living space and a steady, even, and consistent comfort level is
maintained.
In a hydronic (water based)
radiant heating system, heated
water is circulated through tubing
embedded in a concrete slab floor.
The slab absorbs the heat from the
circulating hot water and radiates
it throughout the room.
Slab floor heat systems are most
cost effective when installed during
new construction.
For retro fits, or remodeling
projects, you might want to
investigate the newer modular
board under-layment systems.
radiant heating system, heated
water is circulated through tubing
embedded in a concrete slab floor.
The slab absorbs the heat from the
circulating hot water and radiates
it throughout the room.
Slab floor heat systems are most
cost effective when installed during
new construction.
For retro fits, or remodeling
projects, you might want to
investigate the newer modular
board under-layment systems.