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Old 02-19-13, 07:29 PM   #8
randen
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Strathroy Ontario Canada
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Default Radiant floor with solar hot water input

Mikek
Radiant floor is the Holy Grail but like everything else it has to be approached with the proper technique. We heat our home with Radiant floor (solar & geothermal) so I can speak with some experience. But lets see what your goals are.

If you just want warm floors as simply as it gets. That would be some ridgid foam with subfloor ply and electric heat pad below hard surface flooring (no Carpet). This would be the easy least expensive. When you go down to the basement touch the timer within a few min. the floor is warm and your cozy for the duration your there.

If your planning on most efficient space heating to help with the whole home heating this may be a little different. The best aspect of the system is that large flat rock in the basement (the concrete floor). However this is an integral part of the heating system so it must be insulated and the plastic tubing be placed in the floor at a 4"- 6" spacing. Now it gets work extensive. It would involve smashing out the old concrete digging down minimum 2" more for ridgid foam and poring another concrete floor with the tubing in. You will also need a thermal break around the outer edge of the concrete 1 " foam should be enough.

For a heat source this can be LP gas water heater or a demand type will work. A small circulation pump will move water thru the tubing in the floor warming it to about 80-85 Deg F This heat will radiate to the living space above making it a little more comfortable. With these warm temps believe me a ceramic or porclin tile floor is the best.

Now you had mentioned you were interested in solar hot water. This heated concrete floor will make all the difference. When the sun is avalible the hot water from the panels can be directed to the floor. The floor will slowly warm during the day and release its heat through the evening. This will help keep your home warm and the basement comfortable for hours for free . The fact is the concrete acts like a big battery. I would suggest 3 pcs 4x8 flat plate panels min.

This project can DIY but if you have to hire out it could be prohibative cost wise. It would be a lot of physical work. But that warm floor is really nice

Randen
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