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Forums > Green Building Technologies > Radiant Heating > Subject: intermittent use/variable heat consequences

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judyorloffUser is Offline
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Posts:3
07/09/2006 1:10 AM  
We' re considering installing Warmboard in a room that gets occasional use. What problems might arise from lowering the thermostat to say 50 degreesF and then turning up the heat to 70F prior to use? Sometimes we use the room daily, other only times weekly.

Thanks!

judyo
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Posts:2321
07/09/2006 6:10 PM  
I am not using warmboard but what I do is run the radiant system at a low base temperature & boost with electric heaters for short term periods of use . I saved about $400 last winter by not heating lower level all the time. You can get plug in timers which will handle the electric loads to 1500 watts if the use is regular enough
ecUser is Offline
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Posts:3
07/09/2006 6:54 PM  
Thanks. If we install a wood floor, engineered or solid will the intermittent heat cause any problems for the wood floor? The room is partially below grade. The floor is plywood on 2x4 on concrete slab.
NRT.RobUser is Offline
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Posts:386
07/10/2006 11:43 AM  
with *any* heating system, if you run it cool and just turn it up for when you use it, you're still going to have cool surfaces all throughout the space as it takes time to heat the walls, furniture, etc back up from set back.

This may mean you are not as comfortable during that "reheat" period even if your thermostat is satisfied. Some people don't mind and some do.

Such deep setbacks should only be used for periods of at least a few days when the room will be unused. Otherwise I would keep it to 60 or so, generally speaking.

And with the reduced setback range you should see no problems.

Room temp will recover quite quickly with warmboard though so you're doing ok there. It's just the mass reheating that will take some time.. less with radiant than other forms of heat, but still takes time.

-=Northeast Radiant Technology, LLC=-
www.NRTradiant.com
-=Northeast Radiant Technology=-
NRTradiant.com
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Forums > Green Building Technologies > Radiant Heating > intermittent use/variable heat consequences


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