Types of heat in radiant floor heating
Water radiant heating or hydronic
Water radiant heating or hydronic is the best heating solutions for residential purposes. This heating method is very cost effective especially for the people who live in cold climates. In this system water is the heat career and it flows from the boiler through the tubing with help of the zoning valves while a thermostat regulates the temperatures of the room. The cost of installation primarily depends upon the size of the house or the room and installation type.
Electric
This heating system involves electric cables which MEP engineers spread under the floor. Moreover, the option of systems with electrical-conductive plastic mats on the floors under the top covering such as tiles is also there.
Due to the high costs associated with electricity, it is not an ideal option for residential properties but works well in commercial properties. It can work in residential set up if the concrete floor is thick and has a good thermal mass to store heat for 8 to 10 hours and your electric company charges you at the rate of time-per-use.
Air radiant heating
Air is not able to contain large heat amounts. Therefore; it is not going to suit residential purposes. We at New York Engineers don’t recommend this system for your home. However, it is effective in a commercial set up. The option of integrating solar panels is available but the heating system will only work in the daytime when the temperature is relatively high and indoor heats are not necessary.
Why radiant floor heating?
The systems involving radiant heating can directly provide heat to the floor in your site whether commercial or residential. The system primarily relies on the heat energy directly delivered through the hot surface within the room with the help of infrared radiation. The effect comes from the warmth of the top of the element that is spread across the room.
The reason behind that is radiant heating eradicates the energy losses from the ducts. Above all, this method of heating is way better than forced air when we talk about allergens as well because it doesn’t distribute allergens as forced air methods. Hence, it is highly preferred by people who have different types of skin allergies.
Moreover, radiant heating doesn’t consume much electricity if we compare it with other heating methods. Radiant heating or hydronic systems use different types of energy sources to heat the water including solar energy, fuel powered and wood-fired boilers etc.
Types of installation
Wet installationsWet installations are the installations that utilize the lightweight concrete on a subfloor of wood. It might also involve a massive thermal mass of a floor of the concrete slab. Wet installations embed the tubing in a thick concrete slab that is under the thick floor made of gypsum, concrete or some other similar material. It depends on different houses and how they are constructed. This is where our professional will sort it out for your assistance but will keep the cost aspects under check as well.
Dry installationsIn this structure, the tubing goes through the air spaces under the floor. This method doesn’t involve much work and doesn’t cost much either. However, dry installation needs heating up airspace, therefore; it needs high temperature to work with as compared to wet installation.
On the other hand, dry installation sandwiches the radiant tubing in-between two plywood layers and attaches the tubing under the subfloor or finished floor. If there is a concrete is there and the new floor is not there on solid ground then the system will need extra support.
Some dry installation methods also require suspending the tubing under the floors. This installations method needs drilling and the tubing is placed between the aluminum diffusers top disperse heat across the floor.
Covering of the floor
For the covering, ceramic titles are most efficient and effective. These titles are widely used as well. Ceramic conducts heat very well and improves thermal storage. In addition to that, linoleum, vinyl, wood, and carpeting are all useful. Nevertheless, we at New York Engineering don’t recommend a covering that can insulate your floor from the room and lower the overall efficiency of the heating system.
Radiant panels
Radiant panels for the wall and ceiling and have aluminum construction. Our professionals use electricity to heat the panel. Hot water can also be used for this purpose but hot water might also spring leakage in the ceiling or walls, therefore, we recommend electricity for this purpose.
Meeting the standards
Our technicians make sure that they follow all the rules and regulations set by the NY Building Code for radiant floor heating or radiant panel heating. We will also get you through various building approvals and authorizations. At New York Engineers, we make sure to meet all requirements. We ensure to get you through the mandatory and statutory requirements in addition to designing and building the systems.
It is important to mention that installing radiant floor heating requires plenty of expertise and knowledge in the field. An inexperienced professional might jeopardize the whole system and it will only increase your costs and further pulverize your budget.
Our team of professionals makes suggestions based on the needs and requirements of our clients. This is why we have been the first choice for our client when it comes to MEP engineering services.
