Radiant Floor Heating Systems
"The Ultimate in Heating"
Radiant floor heating seems to be the buzz words on the streets these days, but it is not a concept
that has just occurred, as it goes back to 60 A.D. where Romans discovered the best way to heat an
enclosed area was to introduce heat to the floor surface below and let it radiate upwards.
The concept is just as true today. This effective heating method is called radiant floor heat.
Radiant floor systems provide a uniform heat from floor to ceiling surrounding individuals in warm
radiant comfort.
Radiant floor heating is energy efficient for many reasons. One reason is that it is a low temperature
system and can be controlled on a room-by-room basis; energy is spent only when and where it is
needed. Radiant floor applies direct conductive heat to the feet and to objects in the room that in
turn radiate the heat. Radiant floor heat directly addresses the heat loss of the human body through
conduction and radiation, people are comfortable at lower settings.
Why Choose Radiant Floor Heat
- Efficiency
20%-40% more efficient than forced air systems. This is due to the system being of warm water
transferring the heat (hydronics) into the structure. Energy is spent only where it is needed as
the system can be zoned (strategical placement of thermostats) on a room-by-room basis and precisely
controlled. The thermostats recognize the smallest deviation in temperature and react promptly.
- Comfort
While other conventional heating systems address the heat loss of the structure; satisfying the
thermostat, radiant floor systems address the heat loss of the human body, thus making people
feel more comfortable. The way this occurs is the human body reacts much in the same manner
as a radiant heating system. The heat is distributed through the body by the blood which is
pumped from the heart. The first priority of the body's heating system is to maintain a central
core body temperature, from there, the blood is sent to the extremities. Since the feet are the
furthest from center core, they are the last to get heat and therefore the first to recognize the
discomfort of cold. With a radiant floor system the floors are turned into mild radiators, so
when the feet of the human body come in direct contact with the floor they are warmed
through conduction.
Radiant Floor Tubing
Radiant Concepts installs and/or sells Wirsbo tubing. Wirsbo tubing is a cross-linked polyethylene
(PEX) tubing. The PE stands for polyethylene and the X stands for the cross-linking of the
polyethylene across its molecular chains. The molecular chains are linked into a three dimensional
network that makes PEX remarkably durable within a wide range of temperatures, pressures and stress
resistances.
PEX is uniquely capable of withstanding the stresses that occur in radiant floor systems. Typical
stresses include:
- Expansion and contraction that result from repeated heating and subsequent cooling of the water
in the system.
- Abrasions, shearing and stretching that occurs as a result of installation, normal structural
movement and the heating and cooling from seasonal weather changes.
Radiant Floor System Compared to a Forced Air System
Heat distribution from a forced air system is uneven and uncomfortable.
Most of the heat is at the ceiling.
With so much of the heat concentrated at the ceiling the differential temperature is greater from
the inside to the outside, and therefore cause higher energy bills. With radiant floor systems the heat is
concentrated at the floor where it is needed. With the heat at the floor the differential
temperature is less at the ceiling then to the outside and when less transfer of energy takes
place this saves you money. Also, with radiant floor systems you are able to set your
thermostats at a lower setting; once again saving you money on your monthly energy bills.
Energy savings per month are from 20%-40%.
Proper Installation of a Radiant Floor System
A radiant floor system operates the most effectively and the most efficient if the PEX tubing
is installed directly in a concrete mass. The mass may be a standard concrete pour, a gypsum
based light weight pour or a mud set. The concrete materials give the mass which is required
to build up a heat sink and give you an even temperature and a comfortable living environment.
When installing a radiant floor system do NOT leave out insulation.
We recommend 2" of a ridged board insulation with an R-value of 10, to be placed in all slab areas.
Insulation ensures you are heating the intended areas and not the ground along with it.
Suspended floors should be installed with the radiant floor tubing stapled or nailed to the top
of the sub-floor and then either a gypsum light weight pour or a mud set placed over the tubing
and insulation in the joist cavity below. When placing tubing in the joist
cavity of the suspended floor to create a radiant floor system you will get a floor warming system.
A joist heated system will
only work to a certain outside temperature (approx. -10°F) before it needs supplemental heat
to keep your room at your desired tempature.
If a radiant system is being placed in a garage, snowmelt application or in a seasonal home a 40%-50%
propylene glycol (a food based anti-freeze solution) should be placed in the system to protect it
from freezing.
Why Wirsbo...
- PEX Tubing
- Most durable, flexible plastic tubing
- In heating applications since 1971
- Under long term testing since 1973
- Made in America to US dimensions (ASTM 876 and 877)
- System Hardware
- Designed specifically for Radiant Floor Heat
- High quality, non-corrodible
- Proven from years in the field
Over 95% of hardware made in the USA
- Warranty
- 25 year warranty on the tubing and 18 month warranty on hardware
- Track Record
- Introduced PEX tubing in 1968
- Over 1.2 million installations world-wide
- Committed to product quality through long term testing
- Aggressive Research and Development programs
- Committed to the market; multi-million dollar Corporation
- Headquarters and manufacturing plant in Minnesota
