What would be the cheapest and easiest way to temporarily heat my garage floor (pex lines are run) - GreenBuildingTalk - GreenBuildingTalk - Green Building Forums on Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF), Structural Insulated Panels (SIP), Radiant Heating, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Solar Power, Green Construction Projects - Green Building Forums - Green/Energy-Efficient Building and Construction

Unanswered Active Topics

Forums Search Members

What would be the cheapest and easiest way to temporarily heat my garage floor (pex lines are run)

Last Post 06 Dec 2013 05:19 PM by Bob I. 6 Replies.

Sort:

	Prev Next
You are not authorized to post a reply.

Author

Messages

ahreno

New Member

Posts:22

06 Dec 2013 01:18 AM
So, i'm rebuilding my shop and i ran water lines in the slab for radiant heating. It's freezing here right now so i was wondering if anyone could recommend a cheap way to get this going. I plan to research and figure out the right way to set it up but i dont have thousands to spend on a boiler right now. If all it takes is a $200 propane water heater and a $30 recirc pump it'd be well worth it (as opposed to going out and buying some sort of other heater) i can empty it regularily to limit the risk of that one disease... having no heat out there limits my ability to work

ICFHybrid

Veteran Member

Posts:3039

06 Dec 2013 10:12 AM
You haven't told us what the heating needs of the garage are.

ahreno

New Member

Posts:22

06 Dec 2013 12:18 PM
What do I need to tell you? Its pex w/ barrier in the slab. Outside temp is currently 10-15°f which is as cold admit ever gets in Eugene, or 97402. Id like to bring the heat up any amount so I can get back to working. 50° would be awesome. 70° is awesome but probably dreaming. What more info should I provide?

Bob I

Veteran Member

Posts:1435

06 Dec 2013 12:44 PM
Is the floor insulated under the PEX and insulated from the foundation walls? (so you're not heating the ground under and around the shop) Frankly I wouldn't put water in the system until it can be permanently heated, although you might be able to use it with an antifreeze solution(?) If you can do that, hook it up to a dedicated water heater, making sure that the antifreeze solution is compatible with all components.

Bob Irving<br>RH Irving Homebuilders<br>Certified Passive House Consultant

jonr

Senior Member

Posts:5341

06 Dec 2013 12:55 PM
Most shops aren't used 24x7, so a slow changing concrete slab wouldn't be my first choice. Consider an overhead radiant heater.

FBBP

Veteran Member

Posts:1215

06 Dec 2013 02:44 PM
Posted By Bob I on 06 Dec 2013 12:44 PM Is the floor insulated under the PEX and insulated from the foundation walls? (so you're not heating the ground under and around the shop) Frankly I wouldn't put water in the system until it can be permanently heated, although you might be able to use it with an antifreeze solution(?) If you can do that, hook it up to a dedicated water heater, making sure that the antifreeze solution is compatible with all components. You can't use glycol in an open flame water heater. Fire hazard.