Types of radiant heater installation
There are two types of radiant heating installation methods: (1) the wet or hydroponic installation method, and (2) the dry installation method.
The most common method is the wet or hydroponic method, though there are many people who prefer the dry method, too. This method requires the installation of long-lasting plastic pipes by the name of PEX under the floor slabs. These pipes would carry heated water or glycol through them while the heat of the heated liquid is transferred through the floor through out the home.
The dry installation method is mostly used when the area to be heated is small, such as bathrooms. Here is panels would be installed over the floor.
The precautions you need to take
The first thing you need to do is check whether the insulation of your home is optimal, as this would affect the impact of the radiant heater. The second thing you need to consider is what type of flooring cover you would use. You should not use anything that would insulate the sub-floor from the rest of the house or the radiant heater would be rendered ineffective.
The best would be to use ceramic tiles as these can emanate the heat they receive from the radiant heater. In case the area where you live offers electricity at affordable rates, you could consider installing the dry radiant heater. Ideally, the system could be charged during off hours while the effect could last through out the day. This option is also best for any house, which runs on solar power.
Installing the hydroponic radiant heater
The best time to install a hydroponic radiant heater is at the time of the construction of the house. That does not mean that you cannot install it afterwards; just that it would cause a lot more bother after than before.
The radiant heater you would purchase would come with specific instructions of how to install it. Basically, it consists of a boiler that is connected with the plastic pipes, which you are installing under the floor. If the house construction is not yet complete, the best is to lay the hydroponic system pipes below the concrete layer of the floor. In case, the floor is already completed, you need to apply a layer of gypsum or concrete over the pipe system after it is laid through out the house. The concrete has a good conducting property, which would greatly help the heating system. The flooring needs to be covered according to your preference. Once this is finished, guide yourself with the central panel of the heating system to send the heated fluid into the rooms that you need to be heated. It is as simple as that.
The best thing about the wet system, besides the fact that it is easy to install and use is that it could be hooked to any kind of fuel, unlike the dry system, which works solely on electricity.
Online resources:
- http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,20052923,00.html – This is a video that shows you step-by-step how to install the wet radiant heater
- http://www.hometips.com/articles/radiantfloor_howto.html - This is an article that give some very important tips and advice regarding the DIY radiant installation process
- http://www.radiantdesigninstitute.com / - A wealth of information of radiant heating; a must read.
