Found this web site today:
://www.ideal-heating.com/
Enjoy!
Now you messed me up, Chuck :o
I'll never be satisfied until the Underground Cabin has a hypocaust and Roman bath ;D
Hey Chuck,
If you find a site that caters to DIY, would you post it?
It's become normal here, since this is the land of the concrete slab.
However, talking to people in our new town....maybe there's a plumber who's done it once..maybe. Figure we'll have to DIY.
But, need to learn how to size and run the zones. Probably get the plumber to install the boiler and zone valves.
We DIY'd one house long ago for HW baseboard...but the radient guys here are fast and cheap. Never did it again.
Here's a link of interest, for those of us interested in hydronic radiant heating....
.
http://buyonlineshopping.com/text112c.html
.
...their parts list shown for the different "kits" they sell make for interesting comparative reading.
Here are some top-notch radiant floor heating sites for the DIY-er. One interesting note I picked up is that, due to many adverse experiences with it, most insurance companies will not insure gypcrete laid radiant flooring any more.
http://www.radiantcompany.com/Radiant Floor Company, Barton, VT. Promotes the use of PEX in site-formed soft aluminum plate hung between joists under sub-floors. Sales of kits and materials for DIY builders.
http://www.radiantdirect.com/index.phpHannel Radiant Direct, Spokane, WA. PEX hung direct under subfloors with mylar reflective insulation under. Sales of kits and materials for the DIY builder.
(According to both of the above sites, many radiant flooring materials dealers won't sell direct to DIY builders. Commercial installers like the high margins.)
http://www.radiantdesigninstitute.org/ Radiant Design Institute. Everything you could possibly want to know about the materials (not all PEX is created equal!) and technology for below, on and above grade construction in slabs and under new and pre-existing wood sub-floors. Exhaustive treatment of all aspects, including design considerations, planning, firing costs for NG, Oil, Propane (prefered order) and even wood/solar. LOTS of pics! Flow through, direct or indirect, recyled. Over 100 webpages of info.
From what these folks say, this is one area where a contientious DIY housebuildler who can make perform simple calculations, make plans, follow directions and take their time can save 50% or more compared to a (typically half-assed according to one of the sources mentioned above) commercial installation by "licensed" professionals.
http://radnet.groupee.net/eve?cdra=Y&s=2411085301
Very good board from the Radiant Panel Association.
The Rad-net
These guys will help with DIY
- also find them on the Rad-net a lot.
http://www.nrtradiant.com/services/1.html ;D
Hi guys,
Here's a lovely site for the DIY's here that want radiant heat.
www.radiantec.com
You can get factory direct pricing, they have a free design service(they actually encourage do it yourselfing :o) and they have designed an ingenious system that uses your hot high efficiency water heater to heat your home as well. Radiantec also promotes solar heated systems.
They will send you free info on installation and a price sheet.
Enjoy.
Sherry