In the last years as the reality of my plan to heat my new project with hydronic radiant floor heat I began seriously researching what was current radiant application and what the design variations were so that,because I am building from scratch, best design my structure to make use of radiant. I was very happy to find that high mass/low temp radiant design is one of the highest efficiency/renewable compatible heat source design directions one can go. It also compliments my wish to maximize passive solar gain design into my structure as a two for one. So my first goal in understanding HyRdt was to best design my structure for it. I am confident that I have done that to the level I am willing to pay for at the best level of working knowledge that I was able to incorporate till the time I had to start(because go/no go has to be sometime and what can't be changed accepted). During that time aside from personal information seeking I contacted four major radiant DIY companies for their input into my project. From this I got four different design(pex size, spacing layout patterns) recommendations for the same, very simple, 16x32 4" slab floor. Each company had very convincing explanations for their designs and components. Pex size ranged from 7/8" to 1/2". Any of the companies design may have been the best, each may have done the same thing a different way, I do not claim to be an expert on HR design. I can see that there is not one common practice being used and that I'd better be very sure that I am getting a design that will do what I need. Granted my floor install is modest in size and the structure being maximized against heat loss may not be adversely be affected by not the "VERY BEST" design application. So maybe I'm over thinking minor things. But if I can identify a better way to go I will go it. Such as I plan to build a second floor radiant loop into my open lofted sleeping area even if I don't connect it. Right now the existing cabin structure(built on a similar floor plan but only half the insulation of the new addtn) has never needed the baseboard heat that is in it. I will be putting a thin slab floor upstairs for solar gain so I might as well run pex in it at the same time.
Again, HR heating is not a much used heating method in my area yet so finding example to query owners on is minimal. I appreciate the input from those who are doing a lot of work with it. If you think that there is just one "best" way to do anything than I don't work in the same world of contractors and journeyman.
I was impressed with Radiant Works but it did NOT layout a design that accomplish to me the ability to supply more heat to the exterior walls than the interior of room as I have tried to discuss in length. As I have admitted the size of my heated floor may make the need of this an unnecessary design consideration but even when I increased it's size in Radiant Works by 4 it did not address it any better IMO. I tried to explain my discontinuity of this commonly accepted heating practice(which I also heard from radiant floor people) and the examples of radiant layouts I have found published. In my project I have no fear in not being able to supply my space with enough heat, it is far more in not over or unequal heating it and designing to heat it no more than I need to(because I'm frugal and a closet greenie).
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