DIY Underfloor Heating Systems
Radiant heat is produced by thermal radiation. An example of thermal radiation is electric baseboard heat; warmth is produced by electricity heating the elements in the baseboard heater and disbursing the heat into the room. The disbursement of the heat is thermal radiation, unlike heat disbursed by the blowers in household furnaces. Underfloor radiant heat produces heat by heating electrical coils or tubing containing liquids, and the heat radiates into the room.
Types of Radiant Heating Systems
There are two types of radiant heating systems, wet and dry.
An underfloor wet radiant system is generally used in new construction and installed on a concrete floor. Radiant heat is installed in an existing home by placing the panels over an existing subfloor. In a wet installation, heating panels are installed directly onto the concrete or subfloor, and a thin layer of concrete or gypsum is poured over the heating panels.
A dry radiant heat installation places the heating cables or tubing directly onto flooring, subfloor or under the subfloor. The cables or tubing attach to the appropriate source of electricity or heated water.
Either radiant heating system is an application that a skilled do-it-yourself homeowner can install. The homeowner should analyze whether this type of heating system is appropriate for his home. Consider the energy cost in your area. If electricity is very expensive per unit, then perhaps a boiler type of system and a tubing floor installation would be more cost-effective. In very large homes, consider having a thermostat control the radiant heat on each level or on a per room basis. A radiant system added to an existing floor will raise the height of the flooring and could present problems with door clearances and transition to other flooring levels. Adding radiant heat to existing flooring is not a job that can be completed in a few hours. The homeowner should consider whether or not the family is prepared to cope with the unavailability of a room, or rooms, while the heating system is installed.
Wet Installation
In wet installation, conductive electrical cable or hot water tubing is installed over an existing floor or subfloor that is strong enough to support the additional weight of the concrete or gypsum poured over the cable or tubing. The cable or tubing runs in a continuous loop back and forth over the subfloor. Clips are used to fasten the cable or tubing to the subfloor. Exercise care to avoid nicking or damaging the cable or tubing. Electrical cable that is nicked will not function because the continuous flow of conductivity is interrupted. Tubing that carries hot water beneath the floor will leak if damaged.
After the heat source is installed and tested, a layer of gypsum or concrete is spread over the flooring surface, covering the tubing or cable. When the concrete is dry, floor covering is installed. Ceramic tile allows the best transfer of heat from the floor into the room. Other types of floor covering can be used, however, the thermostat setting may have to be increased to compensate.
Dry Installation
For dry installation, plywood subfloor panels are available that have grooves for the installation of electrical radiant heat cables. The plywood subfloor is nailed in place, and electrical cable is inserted into the grooves. The cable connects into the household electrical circuits and is controlled by a thermostat. The tile or hardwood floor covering installs directly onto these panels.
These type of panels, if used over an existing subfloor, will raise the level of the floor, and modifications to doorways have to be made.
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