Radiant heat 101. Let's hear the details

[skipnay]

I mean come on its a tube in the concrete. Ok so what does it take besides that? Do you have to insulate between the concrete and the stone? What does it cost in material to do say 1,000 square feeet so it's easier to calculate if people have less or more space. What do you have to do to maintain it? Does the concrete have to be deeper? Do you have to keep it away from walls? Also how do you keep from hitting it later if you drill holes in the concrete?

 

[Bondo]

I mean come on its a tube in the concrete. Ok so what does it take besides that? Do you have to insulate between the concrete and the stone? What does it cost in material to do say 1,000 square feeet so it's easier to calculate if people have less or more space. What do you have to do to maintain it? Does the concrete have to be deeper? Do you have to keep it away from walls? Also how do you keep from hitting it later if you drill holes in the concrete?

Ayuh,.... Ya crank up the heat, 'n use an inferred thermometer to See where the tubin' is,...

 

[finn]

Ayuh,.... Ya crank up the heat, 'n use an inferred thermometer to See where the tubin' is,...

It's not that easy: More like crank up the heat and see ABOUT where the tubing is.

At least that's how mine worked out.

 

[JCByrd24]

Absolutely insulate between the slab and the ground below, 2" foam minimum. No foil/bubblewrap products. Also insulate the edges of the slab/frost wall/stem wall. You don't want a path between your heated slab and anything you don't want to heat without insulation in between.

 

[kj_mustang]

I mean come on its a tube in the concrete. Ok so what does it take besides that?

fittings, pumps, controls, manifolds, heating source, pressure tank, drains, cut offs, air eliminator, etc.

Do you have to insulate between the concrete and the stone?

Yes, if you don't want to waste money heating the ground and you need a vapor barrier under the foam insulation.

What does it cost in material to do say 1,000 square feeet so it's easier to calculate if people have less or more space.

less than $2,000 for 1 pump and all the other stuff except the heating source. Half of that cost is 2" foam insulation. Heating source will vary greatly in price with type.

What do you have to do to maintain it?

Perform required maintenance on heating source and maintain water and pressure levels.

Does the concrete have to be deeper?

No

Do you have to keep it away from walls?

Pex should be spaced 12" away from exterior wall and the first two runs of pex closest to the wall should be spaced 6" apart. All the other pex runs would most likely be spaced 12" apart but heating design requirements will determine that.

Also how do you keep from hitting it later if you drill holes in the concrete?

Do accurate measurements on the layout and keep photographs and all layout drawings. You have to design the layout with walls, lifts, etc. all taken into consideration.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Absolutely insulate between the slab and the ground below, 2" foam minimum. No foil/bubblewrap products. Also insulate the edges of the slab/frost wall/stem wall. You don't want a path between your heated slab and anything you don't want to heat without insulation in between.

Vapor barrier.

Some foam boards will provide adequate vapor barrier if you use 2 layers on 1", making sure no seams are on top of each other AND use the proper sealing tape.

 

[theoldwizard1]

fittings, pumps, controls, manifolds, heating source, pressure tank, drains, cut offs, air eliminator, etc.

This might sound complicated, but for an experience installer it is nothing.

Neatness counts ! Check the installer's other customer to see if they are happy.

 

[rburke65]

You can do a "search " on radiant heat and you will find a years worth of reading. Good luck!

 

[skipnay]

Wonder if there is anyone in my area I could trust?