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> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi,
> > > > > > I'm considering converting two of my hot water radiators to an
> > > > > > underfloor heating system. A friend of mine, who is marginally more
> > > > > > knowledgeable than me when it comes to radiant heating, alerted me
> > > > > > that depending on volume of flow or rate of flow or the length of
> > > > > > piping or some other such thing, it just might not be viable. The
> > > > > > argument is that if the pvc piping is too long, the drag might prevent
> > > > > > the water from circulating well.
> > > > > > Here's a picture of what I currently have, kind of:
> > > > > >
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> > > > > > On the left and on the right, you are seeing two pipes (galvanized?,
> > > > > > 3"?) that go to the radiators. You can see smaller pipes (3/4", I'm
> > > > > > pretty sure) branching off and traveling to the actual radiators that
> > > > > > I would like to remove. Further down, they are connected to copper
> > > > > > pipes that go into the radiators.
> > > > > > I'm not sure if this information is at all useful, but if it is,
> > > > > > please tell me what you think about the viability of underfloor
> > > > > > heating in this case.
> > > > > > Many thanks in advance,
> > > > > > Aaron
> > > > > You need a pro to run btu numbers and draw up a set up, radiant heat
> > > > > might run at 110f while at the same time on a cold day the radiators
> > > > > might go to 180f. Its done all the time but it has to be done right.-
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> > > > Hi,
> > > > What does it mean that the system is balanced? My system does not have
> > > > any valves except at some of the radiators and each of those is
> > > > constantly turned off and then back on depending on whether the room
> > > > is being used. Am I not supposed to do that? Or does balancing mean
> > > > that pipe sizes were chosen intelligently some time ago?
> > > > Thanks again,
> > > > Aaron
> > > With most simple systems, there is but one thermostat, usually placed
> > > in the living room, used to control the heating of the whole home.
> > > Because of the limitations presented by this type of system, other,
> > > better ways have been developed.
> > > The simple one thermostat system, uses a simple valve at one end of
> > > each radiator to limit the amount of water going through the radiator,
> > > and thereby the radiators heat output. This shares the heat available
> > > between the radiators that are turned on at the time.
> > > This means that when the thermostat has reached its set temperature,
> > > the whole system shuts down and other rooms can become uncomfortably > > > cold.
> > > A better way is to have thermostatic valves on each radiator, these
> > > set the temperature for each room and when that temperature is reached
> > > they turn off, this stops the rooms from becoming too hot, but it
> > > doesn't stop them from becoming cold when the single controlling
> > > thermostat turns off.
> > > The best way! Each room has its own thermostat with direct control to
> > > the boiler.
> > > This system, called "Zoned" keeps each room withing half of a degree
> > > of its set temperature. This is the most economic system to run and it
> > > saves a lot of money.
> > > However, it does cost extra to install. And yes, existing systems can
> > > be altered to suit.
> > > I have my home "Zoned" but with two mobile thermostats, one for the
> > > living rooms, one for the bedrooms.
> > > Bathrooms and toilets are joined to both Zones so they stay warm.
> > > As we move from room to room we take the relevant thermostat with us.
> > > I think that this way we get the best result with the best cost.
> > > Perry- Hide quoted text -
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> > Hi,
> > Thanks for the very useful information!
> > So does this mean that my heating system is unbalanced and I should re-
> > balance it?
> > Also, what's the right trade to contact for a feasibility calculation > > - HVAC?
> > Many thanks in advance!
> > Aaron
> An interesting point, from the sound of it, it cannot be balanced,
> because some of the radiators do not have the requisite valves.
> While I am interested in supply pipe size, because the larger the
> pipe size the more metal and water in the pipe, the more it costs to
> heat and the more money you waste when you turn it off!
> Most people, seem to select pipes on the basis of whats on sale today.
> So, a system does not need to be balanced, as in fact, you sort it out
> on a day to day basis ,as you feel hot or cold. If you are happy with
> the system as it is? Then you will be wise to let it be.
> However, adding underfloor heating, will change the flow of water.
> Water always takes the easy route back to the pump.
> So, the added flow resistance in the underfloor heating, may, and
> probably will, mean that it will not produce the heat required to keep
> the rooms warm. Hence the need for either a stronger circulator/pump,
> or turning the existing pump to full pressure, or adding another pump
> to boost the flow through the floor.
> Adding a normal radiator, thermostatic valve to the underfloor heating
> pipe, where it comes out of the floor, will provide all the control
> you can get, with your existing system.
> If the existing radiators have kept the rooms comfortable, then under
> floor heating that puts out the same amount of heat
> will do the trick. Look up the radiator size on the net this will give
> you the Btu, then fit the required length of pipe with the same or
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Hi,
Here's a picture of radiator that I've been talking about that I've been wanting to remove and replace with underfloor heating.
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I would also like to say this: I don't really mind doing something that's wrong and then redoing it. HVAC and plumbers in my area want $1200 per person a day so whatever funds I pore into this will be nothing compared to having someone else come out and do it right. Plus I'll learn a lot.
So my plan is this. I would like to determine the BTU of this unit (can you help?) , cut it out, install PEX tubing at, let's say, double the BTU output and put a valve on it that will allow me to control the amount of heat. If this throws the whole system off balance, I will shut it off and and use a space heater until I figure out how to do it right. We are talking about an area that is about 60 sq ft.
What do you think?
Thanks a lot in advance,
Aaron