Radiant floor shop heat

[thejudges69]

So I’m getting frustrated with hvac reps and was wondering if installing a boiler for my radiant floor is something I can accomplish myself.

My shop 48x100x16’ ceilings, I have 12 loops in my floor 5/8” tubing with one manifold, single zone. I was considering a combi boiler but don’t think I’m going to do that. I’d rather have an inline 110v hot water on demand heater I think.

The last hvac guy I spoke to was suggesting a burnham k2 propane boiler which I’m unfamiliar with. But besides adjusting the boiler for optimal efficiency what else is there?

Input?

 

[jack stand]

Is radiant fairly normal in your area? Contractor's get a little goofy once outside their normal comfort zone. The only folks that I've run into that are unhappy with radiant heat are those that used a plumber or a boilerman used to feeding baseboards. I don't doubt that they were fine mechanics in their trade but temps and efficiencies all come into play that are different.
Can you find a contractor that specializes in radiant heating for a quote and suggestions for a hot water source for your situation?

 

[thejudges69]

Is radiant fairly normal in your area? Contractor's get a little goofy once outside their normal comfort zone. The only folks that I've run into that are unhappy with radiant heat are those that used a plumber or a boilerman used to feeding baseboards. I don't doubt that they were fine mechanics in their trade but temps and efficiencies all come into play that are different.
Can you find a contractor that specializes in radiant heating for a quote and suggestions for a hot water source for your situation?

It is pretty common in this area. Everyone seems either to busy or they price it so high cause they don’t want the job cause they’re to busy. My normal guy I’ve asked him half a dozen times for a quote so we can get going before winter.

 

[jack stand]

I did my installation 100% and I'm not in the business although I am a contractor, can sweat a pipe and can read plans. My plans came from a radiant design firm and was a little more complicated than your setup with a wood boiler and a oil fired hot water heater as backup and domestic hw. Heat exchanger, various pumps and expansion tanks, mixing valve, etc.
I'd bet that you could do the work, it's the design and sizing of these other items that's nice to get right the first time. This is where I wouldn't trust myself.

 

[fitter30]

Take a breath. Questions how many feet per loop? 12 loops are they close in lenght? Have u picked a pump? Have a heater yet?

 

[thejudges69]

Take a breath. Questions how many feet per loop? 12 loops are they close in lenght? Have u picked a pump? Have a heater yet?

Don’t quote me on length but I think the loops are around 250-280’ and fairly close in length yes, I have not chose a pump or heater. My old shop had a navien, my brother had HTP but has had issues already, my regular guy did the navien install and is now a fan of burnham boilers.

 

[thejudges69]

I did my installation 100% and I'm not in the business although I am a contractor, can sweat a pipe and can read plans. My plans came from a radiant design firm and was a little more complicated than your setup with a wood boiler and a oil fired hot water heater as backup and domestic hw. Heat exchanger, various pumps and expansion tanks, mixing valve, etc.
I'd bet that you could do the work, it's the design and sizing of these other items that's nice to get right the first time. This is where I wouldn't trust myself.

Ya mixing valves and such add a pile of work for sure. I’m just sticking with a simple propane boiler. I been saving to pay a hvac person to do this job but I can’t get anyone that apparently wants my money

 

[fitter30]

Whats your design heat load? 80k?

 

[yeldogt]

So I’m getting frustrated with hvac reps and was wondering if installing a boiler for my radiant floor is something I can accomplish myself.

My shop 48x100x16’ ceilings, I have 12 loops in my floor 5/8” tubing with one manifold, single zone. I was considering a combi boiler but don’t think I’m going to do that. I’d rather have an inline 110v hot water on demand heater I think.

The last hvac guy I spoke to was suggesting a burnham k2 propane boiler which I’m unfamiliar with. But besides adjusting the boiler for optimal efficiency what else is there?

Input?

Do you know the heat load .... that will give you the BTUs required and the flow needed. What's the manifold -- 1" or 1.25"

Electric is expensive -- but so is propane at this point. That's a math problem.

 

[Mr onetwo]

Consider Viessmann Vitodens boilers and make sure you size the correct pump.A 007 is not going to pump that system.

 

[thejudges69]

Whats your design heat load? 80k?

I’m not sure to be honest and this is questions I don’t know the answer to. Another reason I’m not sure I can do this install.

 

[thejudges69]

Do you know the heat load .... that will give you the BTUs required and the flow needed. What's the manifold -- 1" or 1.25"

Electric is expensive -- but so is propane at this point. That's a math problem.

I don’t, how do I figure that out.

I don’t want electric at this point. I was in a shop with electric radiant heat and I really didn’t like it. It seemed chilly all the time.

 

[yeldogt]

I don’t, how do I figure that out.

I don’t want electric at this point. I was in a shop with electric radiant heat and I really didn’t like it. It seemed chilly all the time.

slat fin has a program.

the heat source does not matter --- the floor will be the same regardless how how the btus are produced.

now -- there is electric radiant that has a wire grid in the floor ---- but this is usually for small areas like a bathroom.

 

[fitter30]

Btu output of 280'x 12x24 btu 's per ft = 80'640 btu's. During the pour did you have anything 30 lbs air pressure on the loops? Pipe size of loop manifolds?

 

[thejudges69]

Btu output of 280'x 12x24 btu 's per ft = 80'640 btu's. During the pour did you have anything 30 lbs air pressure on the loops? Pipe size of loop manifolds?

The loops were pressurized and still are at 50psi. I know I was told after I shouldn’t exceed 30, but I left it. The loops are all 5/8” piping and I believe 250-280 in length.