Radiant in floor or overhead?

[Bruce T]

In the spring I'm building a 60x40 with 12 sidewalls and looking to use radiant heat. I would like the in floor but I'm a bit leary of the future and the possibility of having to drill holes or whatever. I thought I saw a site posted here with reman. radiant tube overhead heaters that were reasonably priced. What would be a better choice (cost, efficiency, maint, ect) and is there a site to figure out how many feet of the overhead tubes I would need? Most shops around here use the overhead ones and they seem like they would be a lot easier. I have natural gas available to the shop too. Thanks and sorry so long winded.

 

[oldgoat]

This forum had a thread on it that might prove interesting for you and answer some questions. I know of one guy that put it in his shop and has been very happy with it so far. I would only question if you are planning on keeping it warm all the time or just part of the time.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=292636

 

[Bruce T]

Well I'm in michigan so its cold here 5 months a year but I prefer to work in a cooler eviroment. Mostly just to keep stuff from freezing and be fairly comfy (for me) if its too warm then I get a lot of "friends/helpers" that get in the way and drink my beer I'm thinking around 45-50 during the very cold months and off any other time. I also have a large torpedo heater that can be used to bring the air temp up pretty quickly. Thanks for the link, I'll check it out. Anyone else?

 

[Daryl]

Mine's in the slab, and I have this little ritual I like to follow when it's below zero outside. I crank up the boiler, get the floor nice and toasty, and then wash the cars in my bare feet. Sometimes I even cook up a brat and have a beer. Reminds me of summer! You can always dial the ol' thermostat back when you're done.

 

[krooser]

I would have put in-floor radiant in my shop but I got two crazy estimates for the floor tubing and couldn't afford it. Of course, AFTER I poured the floor, I found other sources that were about 2/3'rd cheaper than my original estimate.

So, after several years of no heat and wood heat, last winter I put in a gas-fired radiant tube heater.

I really like the nice, warm heat it produces. With a 12' ceiling you will have excellent coverage (higher is better). My shop has 10' sidewalls and I mounted my heater on a 45 degree angle along the front wall above the service door. I use an 80K btu and I heat a 1000 sq. ft. area. I originall sized the unit for 1500 sq. ft. but I walled off my lift area because it's not completely insulated. Next year that WILL be insulated and heated if I'm working over there.

You will need to size the unit according to you shop size..the longer the tube the cooler the exhaust end will be. If you have too long of a run you will get condensation at the exhaust end. My heater is 30' long.

Think about a U-shaped or L-shaped unit for more coverage. Big installs use a vacuum system to help pull the heat along the tube but you probably won't need that.

here'a few links with more info.

http://www.superiorradiant.com/
http://www.reverberray.com/products/li.html

 

[benblandcustoms]

I just installed a 50' long 150k btu modine in my new 40*80*14 it doesnt take long at all and were shutting it off cause its to hot. the one thing i like wen i was installing it was when i looked at the gas valve in it it said 1/2 psi inlet pressure so that tells me it got to be efficiant. another nice thing about mine is it ducts fresh air out of the building and only had one hole to cut for exhaust.

 

[kbs2244]

I know that in the slab tubes are the current "way to go" but I think overhead should be looked at more often.
It is a lot easier to install.
It gives a fast warm up. (Think of walking from the shade to the sunlight.)
If you need to bolt thing to the floor you dont have to wory about nicking a tube.

 

[PhantomEB]

I still would run the PEX tube in the floor now just in case. I know I am gonna!!