Radiant Heat Articles

1. Choosing The Right Boiler for Your Radiant Heating System

Choosing the right boiler is a major consideration when installing a radiant heat system. For the utmost of efficiency a combination boiler that heats your water as well as your home is your best bet. Listed here are three of the most superior boilers on the market today and a brief comparison to help you select the model that best suited to your needs.

2. Tips For Handing Your Radiant Heat Tubing

When installing a radiant heat system, if the tubing isn’t handled or protected properly you could create more trouble than it’s worth. From rolling out the tubing to treatment of the bends, this article covers what you need to do in order to have a stress free installation.

3. Types of Staple-Up Radiant Heating Systems

For existing homes, a staple-up radiant heat system has become quite popular, but like all products a staple-up radiant heat system needs to be installed correctly. Listed here are some additional products to consider that will maximize your heating efficiency and save you money when heating your home.

4. Do's and Don'ts of Radiant Heating with Hardwood Floors

If you’re installing hardwood flooring in conjunction with a radiant heat system you need to be absolutely careful in dealing with moisture. There are certain steps to be taken and materials to use that will ensure a trouble free and long lasting installation.

5. Failing to Protect the Tubing Bends

The tubing in a radiant heat system can quite tricky to work with. Many times a trouble free installation is plagued by punctures and cracks as the tubing changes direction. in the radiant tubing.

6. Warmboard™ Vs. Staple Up

As people explore the possibility of installing a radiant heat system, many compare a staple-up radiant heat system to a Warmboard™ system. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but this article will give you some pointers on choosing the correct system for your home.

7. Radiant Heating and Radiant Barriers

Radiant barriers have many applications, but are especially useful when installed with a radiant heat system. Think of them in the same way as you would cooking foil. The reflective properties of a radiant barrier will reflect the heat towards your living space and make the heating of your home much more efficient. Here are a few things to consider when selecting an appropriate radiant barrier…read more.

8. Insulating Foundations

Many homeowners forget an important part of heat efficiency – insulating their foundation. If you have invested in a radiant heat system, you will want to make sure that you cover all the angles that create a tightly sealed and well-insulated home. Your foundation may not be adequately protecting you from the outdoor elements? Learn why…

9. Radiant Heat and Foam Boards

Foam products, such as spray foam and foam boards are an important part of your home’s energy efficiency. Foam products can be used to block moisture and insects as well as prevent rot. If you are installing a radiant heat system, these foam products are important to include – learn why!

10. Radiant Heat and Ceramic Floor Tile

Making sure your ceramic floor tile is installed correctly takes a little know-how, however when combined with a radiant heat system, it can be even more complex. There are certain materials and procedures that must be done in order for a crack free installation.

11. Improperly Testing Your Radiant Heat System

Directly after installing a radiant heat system you will need to test it to make sure that it has been set up correctly and will function efficiently. Many installers fail to test radiant systems properly, which can result in a costly overall. This article will instruct you on the proper way to test a radiant heat system so you have a trouble free installation.

12. Radiant Heating Cost Skyrocket

When installing a radiant heat system the size and spacing of your tubing become very important. With inadequately sized tubing your boiler will need to work overtime in order to heat your home. To make sure you end up with a cost effective system learn more about the do’s and don’ts of radiant heat.

13. Snow Melting Troubles

A radiant heat snow melting system is becoming a popular way to maintain a clear and easy to manage walkway or driveway. But as with all products, there are certain considerations needed to make sure your installation a complete success. This article will start you off on the right track.

14. Radiant Heat and Concrete – Why proper curing is so important

Many radiant heat systems are embedded within concrete. Yet, when doing a thermal mass installation, to avoid cracks and shifting, the curing process and conditions need to be favorable. With a basic understanding of concrete, and what it needs to cure properly, you will clearly understand the importance of letting your concrete dry at its own pace. Here are a few tips for you.

15. Radiant Floor Heating and Cooling Systems

Radiant floor heating has been used for centuries. The Romans channeled hot air under the floors of their villas. The Koreans channeled hot flue gases under their floors before venting them up the chimney. In the 1930s, architect Frank Lloyd Wright piped hot water through the floors of many of his buildings. Some home builders' surveys have shown that, if given a choice, most new home owners prefer radiant floor heat over other types of systems.

16. Radiant Barriers

Unlike the more common types of insulation (i.e., fiberglass, cellulose, etc. that trap pockets of a gas which in turn reduces heat conduction) radiant barriers reduce only radiant heat transfer. A single layer of reflective material, properly installed between the hotter roof deck and the attic floor, may reduce radiant heat transfer to the attic by about 95%.

17. Foam and Foam Board Insulation

Even though many foam insulation products are more expensive than other types of insulating materials, such as fiberglass, cellulose, etc., they are commonly used in buildings where there are space limitations or where very high R-values are desirable.

18. Demand (Tankless or Instantaneous) Water Heaters

This is due to "standby losses": the heat conducted and radiated from the walls of the tank—and in gas-fired water heaters—through the flue pipe. These standby losses represent 10% to 20% of a household's annual water heating costs. One way to reduce this expenditure is to use a demand (also called "tankless" or "instantaneous") water heater.

19. Tips for an Energy-Efficient Apartment

Simple energy conservation measures can lower your utility bills while increasing the comfort of your apartment. Although your landlord is largely responsible for your building's condition and heating system efficiency, and possibly the choice of major appliances, you make dozens of energy decisions every day. The following tips suggest physical improvements and energy-conscious habits that can reduce costs for space heating and cooling, water heating, lighting, and appliance use.