Thernal transfer grout or just concrete for thermal tranfer

Mikesolar · 02-09-15, 05:59 PM

I'm not sure about the grout but normal cement is quite caustic and will, over time, degrade embedded copper tubing. I have replaced or patched lots of 1950 radiant heat where the copper was embedded so i think a coating of some type would be good.

AC, the purpose of a traditional radiant floor setup is not to have a "maximum heat transfer" but to have a stable and understandable heat transfer. What would happen if (extreme case), you could transfer all the heat in 10 ft of tubing? We only need X amount of heat transfer to make a space comfortable. More is useful if the heat load is very high, but then the floor temp would be uncomfortable anyway.

Eco, do you know how much heat transfer you actually need and over what area?

02-09-15, 05:59 PM	#16
Mikesolar Master EcoRenovator Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Toronto Posts: 958 Thanks: 40 Thanked 158 Times in 150 Posts	I'm not sure about the grout but normal cement is quite caustic and will, over time, degrade embedded copper tubing. I have replaced or patched lots of 1950 radiant heat where the copper was embedded so i think a coating of some type would be good. AC, the purpose of a traditional radiant floor setup is not to have a "maximum heat transfer" but to have a stable and understandable heat transfer. What would happen if (extreme case), you could transfer all the heat in 10 ft of tubing? We only need X amount of heat transfer to make a space comfortable. More is useful if the heat load is very high, but then the floor temp would be uncomfortable anyway. Eco, do you know how much heat transfer you actually need and over what area?