barqs27
Registered Users
Posts:2
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| 01/17/2006 4:42 PM |
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This weekend I was watching the Bob Vila show and saw them install a Radiant Heated floor in a kitchen. I looked on Bob villa’s website to remember the company, it was Warmzone. There website [URL]http://www.warmzone.com[/URL] is pretty informative. They offer all types of radiant heat products. I called and talk to a rep there on Monday and they put a quote together for me. They seem to know there stuff but I am worried about this really being a “do it yourself” project. The option they put together for me involves electric and looks like it will be a much easier installation then having to worry about water pipes and such. I guess my question is, has anyone here done any do it yourself radiant heating in your floors, in particular electric? It sounds easy but I want to get another opinion on the matter. Most of it will be going under a wood floor and then there will also be a small tiled area. Here is the Bob Vila episode:
[URL]http://www.bobvila.com/BVTV/Bob_Vila/Episode-0118.html[/URL]
The system they put in was really cool looking.
I am giving up on the hydronics as I have to small of an area to justify getting a boiler.
So they recommended a product they have called a BlueHeat System:
[URL]http://www.warmzone.com/cable-floor-heating.asp[/URL]
BlueHeat is the one they put together for me but they have one called ComfortTile:
[URL]http://www.warmzone.com/under-floor-heating.asp[/URL]
The Zmesh product they have was very cool looking but wasn’t as cheap as my option.
Anyways, back to my question. Anyone have any experience installing any of these electric radiant heat systems? I need to move fairly quickly as we want to replace our existing carpet immediately. |
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onlyinamerica
Registered Users
Posts:16
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| 01/23/2006 12:35 PM |
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Hi Barqs,
First off, I haven't done any electric radiant before. For such a small area you don't have to get a boiler, holding tank, manifolds, etc. A system with a small hot water heater, circulator, thermostat and pex that will provide you with a far more efficient and less expensive system than doing electric. Just knowing the heat capacity of water and the thermodynamics of the system I would never go with an electric system. I would cringe each time I turn on the system if I used electric radiant. How small is your area? 5x5? 20x20?
onlyinamerica |
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tkbkh
Registered Users
Posts:1
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| 02/03/2006 11:05 AM |
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Hi Barqs,
I have to disagree with onlyinamerica. I helped install an electric heating system for a bathroom for a buddy and it works great. I also know other people who have electric radiant heating systems and they work great and are very cheap to operate. From what I've heard from contractor friends and others hyrdonics are great for large applications, but electric systems are far more efficient (no wasted energy, they are on when you need them, off when you don't). And if you are like most of us you would have to use Natural Gas to heat the water (not cheap!).
I looked at the links you listed at www.warmzone.com and it looks like they do both water and electric. If they recommend electric it probably makes sense. From my experience with electric, you can install the cables easy enough yourself, but I would get an electrician for the hookup. |
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evans
Registered Users
Posts:5
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| 02/06/2006 1:50 PM |
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Hello barqs. As one of the web guys at [url]www.warmzone.com[/url]
I came across this post looking as some reports linking to our web site. I'm glad you found us and a place like this where you can ask questions like this.
Since I am a Warmzone guy I'll try not to be too biased as per products and speak just to your question. :)
I'm actually building a new home right now myself and we placed the BlueHeat in our basement floor slab. It was actually my wife and I that installed the product and it's pretty easy. After we laid the product down the concrete guys just poured over it and we were done and ready to heat. (I have some pictures of our labor but don't see a way to share them here) This was also my first go at installation of radiant heat.
However, as onlyinamerica said, depending on the space want/need to heat with a radiant heating system you may not need a boiler at all. There are often hydronic or electric options just for your need.
onlyinamerica-FYI-the product barqs27 would have seen in the on the recent bob vila show is a hydronic system being installed. (See link for details [url]http://www.warmzone.com/tv/bob_vila.asp[/url]) Sometimes floor build up is prohibitive for hydronics in a remodel. For example-The mesh product mentioned is low voltage and can be stapled right under carpet. The BlueHeat cable he mentions can be used with as little as 1/2 inch floor build up. Just depends on the job. :)
As per the cringing. Remember, you already have high/line voltage running in your walls and ceiling already. They even run in and out of combustible wood products without danger. Encase wires in concrete and it sounds even safer to me and much of the world has used electric radiant heating for years.
John
http://www.warmzone.com
Radiant Heating Systems
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evans
Registered Users
Posts:5
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| 02/06/2006 1:56 PM |
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Oh-I did want to mention that tkbkh brings up a good point. Remember to work with your certified plumber and electrician when hooking up your radiant heating system.
These folks can make the job safer and just that much nicer!
John
http://www.warmzone.com
Radiant Heating Systems
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HandyHammer
Registered Users
Posts:33
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| 03/02/2006 6:29 PM |
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I am not sure if this is too late but my 2 cents are that electric radiant heat makes sense in small to medium sized projects hands down. I have not installed a heated water system but have tried to fix them and when they go wrong it can be a disaster.
In your reference to Warmzone I want to add that I visited their site and found it to be very educational and honest. Warmzone offers a lot to anyone looking to invest in radiant heat.
DL Remington |
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Unregistered
Registered Users
Posts:2321
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| 04/05/2006 1:08 AM |
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I did 750 sq ft of Flextherm electric radiant on my concrete basement floor. Then poured 53 50lb bags of self leveling cement on it and put down 16" slate tile. It turned out great. Basement is real warm and cozy at floor temp of 80 when it is freezing outside in MN. I had no prior experience. I did have an electrician friend wire up the controller/power.
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