Radiant Floor Heating Systems
PEX Tubing and Installation Methods

Radiant Heat has experienced an explosion in popularity over the past twenty years as homeowners, business owners, architects and contractors have come to understand all the benefits Radiant Heat has to offer. However, the largest single development that has allowed this is the introduction of PEX tubing into the industry.

PEX is an acronym for Crosslinked PolyEthylene. The PE refers to the raw material (Polyethylene), and the X refers to the crosslinking of the polyethylene across its molecular chains. The molecular chains are linked into a three-dimensional network that makes PEX remarkably durable and a perfect product for Hydronic Radiant Heating.

Radiant Heat can be installed by several methods, typically we are discussing hydronic (hot water) installations, but sometimes electric resistance panels could be the choice. It can be in floors, walls or ceilings. Radiant Floors are typically the first and best choice of installation and have several installation methods allowing for flexibility depending upon the job situation. We at Radiant Comfort have the ability to do installations in new construction, remodeling or retrofitting an existing home.

The vast majority of our installations are hydronic / floor installation for several reasons. The first reason relates back to comfort and energy consumption. If we look at the Ideal Heating Curve as it relates to human comfort and compare this with the Radiant Floor Heating Curve, we can see how closely matched they are. Another reason is the cost of installation and operation. Also, Hydronic Radiant Heating allows for the coupling of a water to water Ground Source Heat Pump, which we believe to be an incredible combination. Hydronic Radiant Floor Heating allows us to use a lower water temperature because the large surface area of the floor can usually provide the required heat with a lower surface temperature than baseboard heating would require. A typical boiler supplies 190°-210° water to baseboard or radiators. Radiant Floor Heat requires 100°-145° water and when we utilize outdoor reset the fluid temperature can be lowered as the outdoor temperature rises. Ultimately, the lower the water temperature is, the less energy is being consumed and the more comfortable you will feel.

              

Radiant Floor Heat installations can be separated into two categories, Above Floor and Below Floor installations and each has several options. Floor finish choice and construction type as well as cost are deciding factors as to which method may be chosen. It is critical in any Radiant Heat installation to have adequate insulation so the Radiant Heat will travel in the desired direction only.

Above floor installations are installed above the sub-floor and incorporated into the flooring system. This can be embedded in a concrete slab, attached to the wood sub-floor and embedded with a lightweight over pour of "Gypcrete" or incorporated into a wooden flooring system such as "QuickTrac".

Below floor installations are installed below the sub-floor and require water temperatures slightly higher than above floor installations. Installations can be as simple as staple-up, suspending the tubing slightly below the floor to avoid stripping as in joist heating, or using aluminum heat transfer plates.

Some installations of Radiant Heat may require using walls or ceilings instead of or in addition to Radiant Floor Heat. We can discuss all options and answer all your questions while providing the on-site consultation and evaluation.