What's the latest in radiant?

[RayBob58]

I built a shop a few years ago, there's a build thread on the forum, https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=305094 , but I've been busy ever since. It's about 1000sq/ft, with about 1000 feet of oxygen barrier PEX in the floor. 1 zone with 4 loops. Fully insulated, including the floor. I've never finished the system, and I'm wondering what the latest is for heat sources, pumps, etc. I'd like to go electric. I've always thought I'd just go to Menards and order a panel & mini-boiler, but I thought something new might be available. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[fitter30]

All electric boilers are 100% efficient so just price one thats made for radiate floor heat because they run at a lower water temp than a normal heating system. 4 loops 250' if it's 1/2" tubing normal design is 20* temp drop per loop = 30,000 btu 's = 8800 watts so a 9k or 10k boiler.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Not "new", but still not directly available in from any manufacture in the US. Min-split with heat exchanger for hot water source. Technically (measuring electricity in KW and heat in BTU and then converting to the same units) is MORE THAN 100% efficient because you are just moving "heat" from outside to inside (weird to think that there is still "heat" in 0F air !)

There is an HVAC tech somewhere in CA that built his own system based around a surplus (inexpensive) compressor. Lots of "plumbing" of brazed copper tubes, (heat pumps require some one way valve and also something called a three way valve to allow the refrigerant to flow in both directions without getting liquid in the compressor) but it work well for him.