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  1. 1

    Frost protected shallow foundation FPSF no heat question

    After the initial pour in November it lived under blankets all winter which I think gave it enough time to properly cure. This last winter was its third, with the last two being heated. I haven’t had any problems and everything seems to have worked just fine.
  2. 1

    Metal Panel cost

    Don't forget you can (and should) go with a lighter gauge for an interior liner panel. Less cost and weight since you don't need the structural sheer benefit from a thicker gauge. I used Fabral interior on my shop and it was about 20% less than exterior panels at the time.
  3. 1

    Help Deciding on Radiant vs Forced Air

    To be fair to the quote, it includes the insulation and wire mesh which will be needed regardless of source of heat. 2" of XPS foamboard is $54 for 32 SF at the orange store. So you'd need a minumum of 75 sheets which is $4000 just for the material. If you are slightly handy and have free time...
  4. 1

    Radiant tubing layout questions

    I am avisual learner, s this helped me the most...
  5. 1

    Radiant tubing layout questions

    Do a search for LoopCAD software. It comes with a 30-day free trial and you will get your heat loss, tubing layout, flow rates, temps, etc. all in one software package. As for the tubing location, my answer is there is no clear answer. Every method has it's advantages and drawbacks. Disclaimer...
  6. 1

    Anyone use propane for heat? what are your thoughts?

    Even their natural gas is very high. Last time I looked my electric is still cheaper than their gas per mil/BTU. I have no idea what LPG must run. But the weather is nice...:rolleyes: BIg lesson here for everyone is you need to compare your own actual utility rates to see what is best. Three...
  7. 1

    Anyone use propane for heat? what are your thoughts?

    Just checked with my in laws in SF Bay Area, peak time PGE is $.42 for delivery and another $.16 for generation for total $.58 per kWh… off peak is $.24 and $.12 for total of $.36 delivered….
  8. 1

    MY home made radiant hydronic floor setup saga.

    I was just giving you a data point. My ambient temps were 10F daytime so a Delta T of 30F was all it could do. You have the advantage of higher ambient temps. I think the system isn’t working correctly though… Okay taking your follow up info I believe your floor (I’ll call it secondary) loop...
  9. 1

    MY home made radiant hydronic floor setup saga.

    If it was my system, I’d close the valve at the closely spaced T’s and within two minutes if the supply manifold the temp gauge goes up, you know that’s the issue.
  10. 1

    MY home made radiant hydronic floor setup saga.

    I agree with @like2wheel the ”secondary” loop feeding the floor is not pulling anything from the “primary” boiler loop. If temps on supply and return are identical, and matching the ambient, the floor is recirculating the same fluid over and over.
  11. 1

    MY home made radiant hydronic floor setup saga.

    You still have no insulation In the building. For comparison I have a 40x60 like you. It’s 5” thick with 2” XPS under, 3” at the perimeter going 24” down and 24” horizontally. I turned my system (18K Thermolec boiler) on when the slab was 10F to warmup the building as much as I could to help...
  12. 1

    Anyone use propane for heat? what are your thoughts?

    Go to the coal pail site and use the calculator to decide what costs less for your particular situation...here my best price is actually electric. We are right near hydro generation and pay a tiered rate between $.06 and .10 based on usage. My main beef with propane is the wild fluctuations in...
  13. 1

    Unheated building and frost heave in Iowa?

    I have zero experience with it and am not recommending it, but Rockwool Comfortboard 80 is listed as suitable for under slab use. I think they started certifying it about a year ago. https://www.rockwool.com/north-america/products-and-applications/products/comfortboard-80/ Oops, just noticed...
  14. 1

    MY home made radiant hydronic floor setup saga.

    Thanks! That helped a lot.
  15. 1

    Frost protected shallow foundation FPSF no heat question

    I got ya, I am the OP and it may have been confusing because I was trying to see if a FPSF designed for a heated building would be okay for a period of time in an unheated condition. My concrete guy insisted it'd be okay due to the well-drained rock that was used for the pad, therefore no water...
  16. 1

    MY home made radiant hydronic floor setup saga.

    I am clear on all that, however I have only seen the circulator "pulling" from the other loop and not "pushing" into it. Both circulators are making positive pressure at the T and neither one is creating negative pressure at the T to allow it to work? Hasn't it created this issue? Again, I do...
  17. 1

    MY home made radiant hydronic floor setup saga.

    Thanks! I had not seen the 3-27 method before. So his primary loop is the one going to the loops and the secondary is drawing from that to feed the boiler? Is that less effective then the other method? I know on mine the primary is for the boiler because it needs a minimum GPM far in excess of...
  18. 1

    Frost protected shallow foundation FPSF no heat question

    R403.3 Frost-protected shallow foundations. For buildings where the monthly mean temperature of the building is maintained at a minimum of 64°F (18°C), footings are not required to extend below the frost line when protected from frost by insulation in accordance with Figure R403.3(1) and Table...
  19. 1

    MY home made radiant hydronic floor setup saga.

    Hope I am not hijacking here, but aren't the pumps fighting each other? For the primary/secondary to work, shouldn't the secondary pump be pulling from the primary at the closely spaced T's? I am learning about P/S so don't know what I don't know.... I just have never seen the secondary...
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