Radiant Heating COST'S??

[wrenchmaster]

I am reviewing options for my garage build. I have decided to focus on my radiant heating option.
What information I'm trying to put together is info regarding installation Pro or DIY.

Material choice options piping, boiler, hardware etc.

Actual install and operational experience.

My garage will be approximately 32 x 32 two stories.

Thanks

 

[bikesandcars]

Did a 40x60.

Google "loopcad"

10 x 300' coils of pex and a manifold and test kit were $1300. I did 10 loops of 1/2" spaced 1 foot apart. Contractor said it was the best engineered and nicest install they ever did.

Cost of 2" and 1" xps 25psi xps foam board was about 2k, I installed..PITA

Cost of paying contractor to supply and install wire mesh and lay the pex, 3k (worth it!)

This does not count the cost of a nice boiler setup (3k to 4k if I install).

So it ain't cheap, the pex is cheap... Not the install.

Contrast this with not putting any slab insulation in, I could have bought heat pump AC system for 5k or 3k in propane space heaters... It's not cheaper.

Time will tell if it's better . I know a warm floor over 20 years will likely be.

 

[bikesandcars]

 

[BadgerBoilerMN]

It depends on how your going to use the spaces.

 

[ZAPPER68]

I installed radiant heat in my new shop when it was built 4 years ago. My garage/shop has 6 bays totalling +/- 2800 sq. ' and is divided into 2 separate zones.

On the 'parking side' of the garage there are 4 cars and I have the heat set at 55 * F .... on the 'working side' I have the heat turned up slightly higher @ 60* F. Above the 'working side' is a mezzanine the is the recipient of the warmer air. I also have a ceiling fan above the working side but rarely have it on.

During the winter the cars on 'parking side' stay put so the 4 doors over there are rarely opened. However, on the working side of the garage I only open the doors when I absolutely have to. We use propane to fuel the Navien heat unit which is also plumbed into the garage bathroom. It's a great unit and with the present cost of propane I'm into it for +/- 150.00 per month for the 5 months I have it on heating the floor. It's on year round for the bathroom...which costs next to nothing.

The overall cost of the install is around $5K....it might seem expensive but up here in Canada in the winter, working in my garage is a pleasure. Having a few libations with my gear head friends in the warm mezzanine when it's snowing outside is a bonus. Would I do it again...Absolutely.