Radiant Heat or just HVAC?

[517hpta]

In the process of building my 40x99x12 shop. Dividing wall at 54 feet. Back 45 will just be storage. I had planned using just HVAC for the 54x40 portion of my shop area until someone mentioned Radiant Heat for my concrete? They are currently rouging in plumbing and supposed to pour concrete soon. Where I'm stuck at now is... do I go with the radiant heat and maybe a smaller HVAC units? Or do I just move forward as planned? There will be a living area in the shop that needs heated and cooled also. And I have an E7 Big *** fan for center of shop if that makes any difference.

If I decide on going with Radiant it will probably put me back another month. That's if I can get concrete guys to fit me back in.

Thanks for your help. Don't want to wish I did something else down the road.Lol

 

[theoldwizard1]

Radiant heat is expensive to install, but IT IS THE MOST COMFORTABLE TYPE OF HEAT FOR ANY WORK AREA ! If your feet are warm, you are warm.

Any work area should have a vapor barrier and at least 1" of foam insulation under the concrete and down the footers (2" on the footer for and 4' in for NB !) 2" would be better for radiant.

do I go with the radiant heat and maybe a smaller HVAC units?

Great combination !

 

[stingry]

Hi. Where you at in Nebraska? I’m out in the panhandle. I heat 3600 sq ft with infloor radiant and as said above, I believe that it is the best possible heat. How big is the living space that you need to cool?

 

[517hpta]

Hi. Where you at in Nebraska? I’m out in the panhandle. I heat 3600 sq ft with infloor radiant and as said above, I believe that it is the best possible heat. How big is the living space that you need to cool?

I'm just outside Lincoln. Living area is only about 300 sq ft. Do you have AC in your 3600 sf shop?
Thanks

 

[stingry]

I'm just outside Lincoln. Living area is only about 300 sq ft. Do you have AC in your 3600 sf shop?
Thanks

I do not. The shop is very well insulated and never got over 80-85 degrees this summer, so was not uncomfortable. I do have a 450 sq ft lounge area that I was plannng on having a mini split HVAC unit but don’t see the need now. Having spent 5 yrs at NU and knowing Lincoln, I would think AC would be desirable! Very dry climate out west!

 

[Jackfre]

Sounds like you are kinda up against it time wise. Radiant is great, when it is properly designed and installed. If you can get a good design and have the time to properly install it then sure, go for it. TOW1 is correct in the expense side of things. I chose to not do radiant in my shop and am comfortable in the shop without it.

 

[517hpta]

Made my decision. Lol
Thanks for everyone's help.

 

[yeldogt]

With radiant set correctly the ceiling will not be hot .. so the fan will be for cooling only.

Are you planning a mini-split now for for AC .. Did you zone off the 300sf for the living space in the radiant?

 

[517hpta]

Yes , 1 zone dedicated to just the living space

I bought the fan when I was still planning on the regular HVAC system. Will be nice to have though on those in between days.

Haven't decided on AC yet. Might still go with full AC as the humidity here gets pretty crazy. Been waiting for this shop for a long time , so want to be comfortable while working in there. Lol. Might not need it very often but will be nice to have it. Especially if having people over.

 

[stingry]

Made my decision. Lol
Thanks for everyone's help.

I think you will be very happy with radiant heat. Good decision!