on demand water heater

[swvega]

I'am just about to hook up my in floor heat. 1800 ftof 1/2" pexs in 1800 sq ft building 30x60 14' side walls, riser truss to 19.5 at center.R19 side walls R38in ceiling,2'' under floor and 2' around siides of floor.I stoped at menards and they have a richmound water heater on sale for $275.118,00 btu 2.5 gpm at 70 degree rise. Nat.gas. Has anyone tried to heat this large of a shop with a water heater and if so how did it work? a new boiler is right at $1000.

 

[jvitez]

By my understanding any type of heat source will do, as long it has enough BTU's of output. Here in Manitoba the rule of thumb is ~10 watt/sq.ft, or 34 btu/sq.ft. With your high ceilings it would probably be more. 34 x 1800= 61,200 btu. So as long you get this amount out of the heater, it will keep your place warm. Efficiency, cost, longevity are all other issues I can't comment on since I've never installed in floor heat.