Browse Forums Heating, Cooling & Insulation Re: Hydronic Heating - Which Brand to Choose? 30May 22, 2015 9:17 pm The issue of copper vs pex pipe is: Cost - copper is dearer Heat loss factor - the copper will loss more heat through the walls of the pipe due to having more (less?) heat loss factor. The pex pipe will also lose heat through the wall of the pipe but as it's generally layers of plastic and metal, it's not as much as copper. Both will benefit from pipe insulation. Erosion - water flowing through the copper pipe will over time wear away the inside of the pipe wall with a sandpaper like effect. Workability - the copper is generally easier to work with and form into place. If you don't mind me asking mixo, roughly how much was the quote with copper pipe? Re: Hydronic Heating - Which Brand to Choose? 32May 22, 2015 9:54 pm Maybe I should have said copper is more malleable. Copper can also be bent without tools, just depends on how you do it but once bent will tend to hold a shape much easier whereas the pex pipe needs to be secured in place to hold it in a certain shape. My opinions are my own though formed after speaking to some plumbers I work fairly closely within my line of work who have used copper pipe, steel pipe, pex pipe and abs plastic pipe. Re: Hydronic Heating - Which Brand to Choose? 33May 23, 2015 2:22 pm For a 32 sq home with 11 panels and a 35kw boiler which the name escapes me at the moment around the 15.5K mark... Now that a big difference from a central heating gas system quoted by the builder at around 6.5K Getting more quotes.. mixo Re: Hydronic Heating - Which Brand to Choose? 35May 24, 2015 10:48 am didnt get the towel rails, not sure they are worth the cost in what they do.I have tastic lights instead in the bathrooms. Might change my mind, but i haven't got anyone I know who has hydronic hand rails to check out how they work and if they work properly. mixo Hydronic Heating - Which Brand to Choose? 36May 24, 2015 2:19 pm I personally hate the tastic lights. Their heat is too concentrated to underneath them. Besides the cost to run them I believe is far more. The towel rail would only be a hundred dollars or so more. The whole idea of hydronic is to have a relatively even temperature throughout the house. If you don't want that then don't waste your money on hydronic because the cooler rooms will make the system less effective. Re: Hydronic Heating - Which Brand to Choose? 37May 24, 2015 3:26 pm hmmm, you might be correct, but in reality how long are you going to be in the bathroom?? Couple of minutes to do your business or 5 to 10 minutes for a shower? Not sure its worth heating up a room your going to be for a few minutes. Not convinced yet! mixo Re: Hydronic Heating - Which Brand to Choose? 38May 24, 2015 8:06 pm As well as heating the room, the towel rails double as a towel warmer/dryer so that you don't end up with damp towels hanging for extended times in the bathroom. I've also got heat/fan/light assemblies going into both bathrooms so the option of the heat lamps is there but I'd rather the even heat from the hydronic. Re: Hydronic Heating - Which Brand to Choose? 39May 24, 2015 8:35 pm Bels As well as heating the room, the towel rails double as a towel warmer/dryer so that you don't end up with damp towels hanging for extended times in the bathroom. I've also got heat/fan/light assemblies going into both bathrooms so the option of the heat lamps is there but I'd rather the even heat from the hydronic. +1 I forgot about the other great reason of not having wet towels in winter. Shower twice a day and you're changing towels every 3-4 days Re: Hydronic Heating - Which Brand to Choose? 40May 24, 2015 8:42 pm How fast do the towel rails dry a wet towel. I live in Melbourne, house empty during the day, heating will be on usually between 5 to 10 in the morning and 3 to 1am at night.Will that be enough time to dry the towel.We thought much more economical to throw them in out heat pump dryer for 15 minutes at the most. Still need convincing it worth putting in because i have 3 bathrooms so that's and extra 3+K. Also one hydronic guy told me it costs the same as central heating to run is this true? Love hydronic heating seen it in action in Europe but they have it on 24/7 and walk around in undies/t-shirt its that hot indoors. mixo Does anyone have a suggestion for a good hydronic in slab heating speacialist who may be able to help me with an existing system and wether or not it may need a seperator… 0 5357 Currently renovating, and our main lounge is 5m x 10m, with a cathedral roof peaking at 6.5m high. Currently have tiles on concrete slab. Room is very hard to heat. I am… 0 5308 Thank you. That is really helpful. Once we get the place done and passed for OC we can upgrade in the future once we get back on our feet and not paying mortgage and rent. 4 6138 |