The popularity of radiant floor heat and sales are rising each year, and more and more consumers are adding radiant floor heating systems to their projects and improvements. Radiant floor heat creates some questions when first starting. In this article series we will explain the key points of radiant floor heat, and give you the confidence to start including radiant floor heat in your projects. –by LES GRAHAM
Hydronic Radiant Floor Heat 101 •
Do I need to insulate under the slab?
• Radiant Floor heat is proven to be
The main consideration is the use
You need to consider insulation
the most efficient way to heat a
of insulation – both under the slab
under the slab. Don’t be fooled by
building. Compared to forced air
horizontally, and vertically installed
the statement, heat rises'. Heat does
heating it is approx 30% better.
around the perimeter. The perimeter
NOT rise – it travels in all directions.
insulation needs to have an R – value
Hot air rises! Generally speaking,
of 10. Generally, this is done with 2’’
you should always insulate a project
blue or pink poly-styrene. If possible,
2000 square feet or smaller with an
incorporate this 2’’ foam as part of
R-value of 5 – 10. On larger projects
the original concrete forms. This can
consider the dampness of the soil
save hand digging later, which can
below. If you are high and dry, then
undermine a monolithic slab.
you can consider zero insulation or
• Out of sight – tubing is buried in the concrete or under floor. No bulky duct work, baseboard, ceiling tube convectors, or cast iron radiators. • Quiet – no loud fans, pinging baseboard, etc. • Radiant floor heat is better for people with allergies
The thickness of the slab does not have to change because of radiant floor heat. The base you normally use under does not need to be changed. (Personally speaking, I like to see a 6 mil. vapor barrier under the slab.)
insulate the first 6-8 feet in from outer edge. If the water table is high in an area, then insulation under the whole area becomes necessary. Under concrete there is no benefit or need for reflective type insulation.
• Very low maintenance and cleaning – duct work and tube convectors need cleaning. BELOW: Radiant floor works well with decorative concrete. Farmers love the efficiency of radiant floor heat.
Livestock Directory
Your first choice for agricultural information.
part one
Slab design considerations when using radiant floor heat?
floor is a giant radiator
and
Five Star Publishing, Inc. publishes The Midwest Farm and Livestock Directory, The Southern Farm & Livestock Directory, The Eastern Farm & Livestock Directory and The Contractors Equipment Directories.
What are the advantages of radiant floor heat?
• Even heat distribution – the whole
Midwest Farm
Where is the tubing placed in the concrete?
Five Star Publishing, Inc., established in 1994, located in Fort Dodge, Iowa was a recipient of the prestigious Fort Dodge Chamber of Commerce Small Business of The Year Award. Five Star Publishing, Inc. and its Board Of Directors has no other affiliatiations, spin-offs or divisions of any other organization or companies. Five Star Publishing, Inc. Board of Directors: Kim Lennon • Heidi Gorman • Jan Hilpipre The Farm and Livestock Directory is printed monthly and distributed throughout the United States to the most qualified buyers and sellers in the agriculture industry. Opinions expressed in The Farm and Livestock Directory are not necessarily those of the publication personnel, but of the writers who contribute editorial content to The Farm and Livestock Directory. ERROR RESPONSIBILITY: The Farm and Livestock Directory is responsible only for the cost of the ad for the first incorrect insertion of the ad. Each insertion of an advertisement is proof of publication and it is the responsibility of the advertiser to check the correctness of each insertion. The publishers shall not be liable for slight aesthetic changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the intent of the ad. No adjustment can be made for advertisements not published. In the event of any error in an ad for which the publisher is liable, the liability is limited to adjusting that portion occupied by the error in relationship to the entire value of the advertisement. No adjustments will be made 30 days after initial insertion date. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Please send new address and phone number along with The Farm and Livestock Directory mailing label or email changes to: jan@fivestarpublishing.com For postal receipts, printer’s statements, circulation and readership information please contact our office at 800-622-8836.
Administration:
The tubing can go in the middle or
Kim Lennon kim@fivestarpublishing.com
at the bottom of the concrete – both
Gayle Reed gayle@fivestarpublishing.com
Heidi Gorman heidi@fivestarpublishing.com
have advantages. When placed Editor:
in the middle of the concrete, the heat is delivered a little faster, thus allowing for a slight gain in efficiency. Snowmelt systems should always be installed in the middle of the slab. When placing tubing in the middle of the concrete keep in mind that with
CIRCULATION/finance:
Jan Hilpipre jan@fivestarpublishing.com
Kris Taylor kris@fivestarpublishing.com
shops you need a minimum of 1-1/2 inches of concrete above the tubing. Homes require a minimum of ¾-inch
ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER: Julie Kochendorfer julie@fivestarpublishing.com
above. PRODUCTION/Layout artistS:
The advantages of the tubing placed at the bottom of the concrete are several:
Justine Lee justine@fivestarpublishing.com
Nancy Cain nancy@fivestarpublishing.com
Wendy Novak wendy@fivestarpublishing.com
Crystal Wendell crystal@fivestarpublishing.com
Evelyn Bowmer evelyn@fivestarpublishing.com
Christa Helmers christa@fivestarpublishing.com
continued on page A9
»monthly favorites The Need for Grain Moisture Testers in the Agricultural Industry ...........................A3 Equipment & Product Announcements.........A4 Equipment at Work........................................A8 Keeping the Family Farm in the Family.......A11 Farm and Ranch Life....................................A12 Pennywise....................................................A14 Clutter Clearing Choices..............................A16 The Knightro Report.....................................A18 Pony Tales by Ponty.....................................A18 Positive Outlook...........................................A19 Your Other 8 Hours......................................A20 Product Spotlight.........................................A29 A2
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October 2012