Radiant heat question
Just Me wrote:
Hi,
I have a question for anyone having actual experience with a floor based
radiant heat system.
I'm planning on installing a hydronic between-the-joists system. It will
use PEX fastened to the underside of the subfloor. The person who'll be
helping me with the install, and has installed these systems before says
that the aluminum heat diffusers you can apply along with the tubing are
useless, especially if you're using water heated to about 100F. I've been
reading Siegenthaler's book on the subject and he's absolutely in favor of
their use.
Does anyone have any comments? My biggest concerns are 1) will the system
be more efficient and able to react faster when needed, and 2) will you get
hot stripes on the surface of the finished floor without them possibly
leading to premature degradation of the hardwood flooring finish.
FYI, I plan on using mostly hardwood flooring (some tile). Subfloor is 3/4"
advantech. House is mostly one floor with a full basement. Joists are 16"
on center.
A commonly used system in my area is to suspend the tubing between the joists. It is critical that the joist cavities are insulated with reflective insulation. Haven't used it myself, so I'm not exactly answering your question, but this is what I am hearing from our plumbing supply house in Duluth, MN. If it works here, it ought to work anywhere.
R
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