I'm remodeling a small 1 story 760 sq ft home in MA. It currently has electric baseboard heaters that I can leave as a backup heat source. I have 115 sq ft of flat plate solar collectors to heat water for radiant heating, and will get either 120 or 240 gallons of storage tanks (still deciding). I have 40+ year old oak floors throughout most of the house, and I don't want to do radiant floor under them, the kitchen being the exception, I think staple up radiant floor would be perfect in there under the vinyl flooring. 99% of the discussions I see in the US is for radiant floors, or if it's ceiling or walls it's electric. Where can I find information about hydronic radiant ceiling or wall options? Ceiling would be the easiest for me to install, I have full access to the ceilings from the attic. Anyone have any opinions about it? I know it's the norm in Europe, but virtually unheard of here in the states. Is there a problem with installing floor in some rooms and ceiling/walls in others? Also, what are my options for heating the water after the solar preheating? Right now the only option I have is electric, but I can look into getting natural gas brought to the house if it makes more sense for a furnace.
I sell solar water heating for a living, but mostly for DHW. Once we get into space heating, I tell them to contact an HVAC specialist. So I'm willing to try things out and do some experimenting, this is being treated as a living lab. I just can't be throwing money out the window. It should be a fun project that should eventually save me money as well as give me some experience.
Any thoughts/opinions welcome.
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