Help with radiant system components

[hercules633]

I need some help in the designing of my radiant panel. I have a few items and know a few more items I need to purchase along with copper fittings. I will give you the info on what I have currently and then what items I am looking at purchasing.
Have

32x56 slab, 6" thick, pex 2 1/2" down from top of slab
2" ridgid foam under and around perimeter or slab
7 loops of 1/2" pex 260 to 275' in length
1 zone closed loop
Grundfos pump ups 15 58 fc
A.O. Smith ATI-540H-N on demand water heater natural gas

Needed

Taco 501 controller
Thermostat
Condensate pump
7 port supply and return manifold Rifing
Taco Air separator that I can attach ex tank to bottom of
Expansion tank (size I don't know?any input would help)
Valves, not sure how many or where to place-know I need some on each side of the pump for change out
Not sure if I should use antifreeze or water or a mixture
I'm in South Central Montana and it gets cold here
Insulation will be at minimum R19 in 2x6 walls and R30 in ceiling

I have looked at many systems on here and would like to keep it as simple and efficient as possible. Any input from you experts would be very much appreciated. I know some will want the heat loss calc and window and door specs but want to get parts ordered. Don'the want another cold winter shop season!

 

[TheEquineFencer]

Don't feel like the Lone ranger, no one replied to my questions about components.

 

[macdabs]

I have a similar system with a 40 x 80 building and I have no idea how you could be successful heating that large of a shop without a boiler in your climate region. Water heaters are not made to heat large slabs in that region and be efficient.

Mac

 

[2012Eli3]

I have same size building don't have build sheet until I get home end of week. am not an expert I hired mine. will send you pic of panel set up with equipment info.

 

[2012Eli3]

panel layout

 

[hercules633]

Mac- these on demands by A.O Smith are manufacture approved for radiant heating systems. If you look through some systems on here, a good portion of them are built with on demand heaters. They are essentially a small boiler.when it comes down to it.

Not sure if I should use a mixing with system or not. Or water or antifreeze or a combination of the 2.

2012eli3 thank you. Any info you have would be greatly appreciated. Trying to do this all myself and do it right the first time.

 

[BD1]

As a reminder heat transfer using antifreeze isn't the best and system sizing is important. If you do decide to use a antifreeze mix it's best to fill system in a PREMIX state.

 

[hercules633]

BD1- what would you recommend in terms of mix ratio? Also what product would you use?

As far as the Taco 501 controller to run circulator pump, it seems I won't need one. I can use a Line Voltage thermostat to do the controlling. This will help keep cost down by having one less component to run and the out of pocket to buy controller.

 

[hercules633]

Eqinefencer- what questions did you have?

 

[hercules633]

Also.wondering if I need to have a loop bypass that kicks directly back into return line?

 

[livininthewoods]

Maybe this will help you with your layout." Wirsbo Advanced Design Suite 6 " . Just copy that and google and serch for it. Look for Uponor Ads7 I believe is the latest design suite, a few questions ( and lies like your a contractor) and it's a free download. will give you everything you need. I was in the HVAC business for yrs. and did many systems including snow melt and used this for layout. A rule of thumb: 1' of tubing per sq ft. keep runs less than 280' long, never exceed 135° in the concrete, best to use a 3-way vlv to modulate the floor water temp and keep it continious that to turn it on and off.

 

[hercules633]

In the woods, does it show the panel system and all the components needed also? I have loops in already