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What to Consider When deciding to Install a
Radiant Floor Heating System
If you are planning to
install radiant floor heating in new
construction or renovation, then you have
several options to choose from. The following is
a list of things you must consider to help you
decide which design option is best for you and
your home.
Step One: You have to determine what type of
fuel/ energy source you have or will use such as
electric, gas, oil, etc. In addition, you have
to determine if you will be installing an
electric or water (hydronic) systems.
Step Two: You'll need to determine if your
installation will be ‘wet,’ this means that the
cables/tubing are embedded in a concrete slab or
lightweight concrete/ thinset or if your
installation will be ‘dry,’ meaning attached to
subfloor or sandwiched between the sub-flooring
and a layer of gypsum-cement. The method of
installation will you choose may depend on if
this is new construction or if you are
renovating an existing home, the type of finish
floor, energy costs in your area, and your
budget.
It is important to understand the importance of
the concrete or gypsum-cement sub-flooring. Both
have a high thermal mass, which retains heat,
and very slowly releases that heat, which is
important to the radiant floor heating system.
Step Three: At this point you have to determine
how many zones or areas you want. This is so
that you can separately change the temperature
in these areas such as the bedroom, kitchen,
bathroom, or living room.
Step Four: Now that you have determined your
source of energy, installation, and number of
zones, your next step is to decided if you will
be doing this project yourself of if you will be
hiring a contractor. Before you decide that you
will do this your self, you must take into
consideration the amount of time you have per
day to devote to this project, your experience,
and what inconveniences this will cause. Keep in
mind this is not a project that you will be able
to roll out of bed, read the paper, then start
the project, and be finished before dinnertime.
To do it your self this will take several days
if not a week, depending on your skill level. If
you decide to hire a contractor, make sure that
they are qualified to install a radiant heating
system. Make sure that you check the
contractor’s references.
By doing your research, and determining what
type of radiant floor heating system you want,
you will almost certainly get the type of
radiant flooring you need.
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Home - About DIY Under Floor
Heating
Is Underfloor Heating Efficient?
How
Radiant Heat Works
What to Consider When deciding to Install a Radiant Floor Heating
System
Installing In-Floor Radiant Heating System With Hardwood Flooring
Contact & Terms of
Use
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