Browse Forums Heating, Cooling & Insulation 1 Jun 10, 2012 10:17 pm 2010, June : Land bought (1700sqm, battleaxe block). That's it so far! We're in the design phase .... Re: hydronic floor heating - what do you know?? 2Jun 10, 2012 10:36 pm The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: hydronic floor heating - what do you know?? 3Jun 11, 2012 9:17 am 2010, June : Land bought (1700sqm, battleaxe block). That's it so far! We're in the design phase .... Re: hydronic floor heating - what do you know?? 7Jun 13, 2012 3:36 pm I have just joined this forum ( see intro ) partly in response to the query re; hydronic underfloor heating and carpets. Central heating is a relatively new concept here in NZ too. Following extensive research, mainly from UK/US websites, we have installed hydronic underfloor heating under all tiled areas of our new build, and in carpeted rooms we have opted for radiators. I was not convinced the underfloor heating would be effective under a densely woven carpet and quality underlay. I also like the concept of enjoying the heat emanating from the radiators - with the bonus of the radiators making handy sock dryers! Hopefully we have made a wise decision - won't know until next winter. Sorry I've posted this twice ( getting the hang of things ) Re: hydronic floor heating - what do you know?? 8Jun 16, 2012 6:46 pm We have in slab heating in our polished concrete floor with hydronic heating panels upstairs. Downstairs has been a toasty 20 degrees constantly and the floor took 2 days to warm to 20 degrees and leave it on 24/7 at 20 degrees. For upstairs, we switch on the panels to 21 degrees for the heated towel rails at about 630pm and then turn it back down to 18 degrees for bedtime and then switched off in the morning. I should add that we have invested in geothermal technology for the above. I have yet to receive a power bill though as this is our first winter. Re: hydronic floor heating - what do you know?? 9Jun 16, 2012 6:49 pm summergrace We have in slab heating in our polished concrete floor with hydronic heating panels upstairs. Downstairs has been a toasty 20 degrees constantly and the floor took 2 days to warm to 20 degrees and leave it on 24/7 at 20 degrees. For upstairs, we switch on the panels to 21 degrees for the heated towel rails at about 630pm and then turn it back down to 18 degrees for bedtime and then switched off in the morning. I should add that we have invested in geothermal technology for the above. I have yet to receive a power bill though as this is our first winter. Hi. Thanks for that. What do you mean when you say you have "invested in geothermal energy". How are you sourcing the power for the heating and what do you expect it to cost? Re: hydronic floor heating - what do you know?? 10Jun 21, 2012 9:40 am Go through the website of Direct Energy (google them - a Victorian company) for geothermal technology - too technical for me to explain here. They were our suppliers. In summary, a compressor draws the earth's energy to power our heating and hot water. We have 2 compressors and 2 tanks that took up quite a bit of corridor space outside the house. As for costing, well, let's just say I opted for the technology over interior decorating. The technology is supposed to work for > 10 years. It's american technology and depending on your house size, copper loops are used and these are not cheap though the AUD-USD exchange rate might be slightly in your favour. Re: hydronic floor heating - what do you know?? 11Jun 24, 2012 7:51 pm We lived with floor heating for 20 years in the USA which we called radiant heating - water pumping through copper pipes embedded in the concrete slab. How I miss it - it was the best form of heating we have ever experienced. We had an auto timer which put it on at 4 am to 7 am and then 4 pm to 7 pm - these 6 hours a day were sufficient to get us through a very cold winter. We would consider it again if there was a system of linking solar hot water being pumped through the copper pipes. When we remodeled we ripped up all the carpet and put in terracotta tiles. The house became even warmer - we didn't realise how much heat was being lost in the carpet. When my sister came to visit she fell in love with the heating system and had it custom built for a house in South Australia. It's still going well after a decade and everyone comments on the cosiness of the house. Re: hydronic floor heating - what do you know?? 12Mar 11, 2014 2:22 pm Just bumping this old thread to see if anyone has any recent experiences with hydronic floor heating? I know technology can change rapidly and I'd love to hear if people are building with this heating now in 2014. Thanks Our build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=69984 If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. Re: hydronic floor heating - what do you know?? 13Mar 20, 2014 8:11 pm I am planning to install hydronic heating. I understand how it works; have enjoyed it for many years in Germany, and simply love it. There are a few things that need to be understood to enjoy this system. Get an installer who knows hydronic heating back to front. Usually the decision is made to late in the building process. In-slab is not the best way of installing such a system, as the slab needs to be insulated against heat loss, hence, the pipes go onto the slab after insulation is put on the slab. The main disadvantage is cost; it seems it costs at least double what it costs in Germany. Builders shy away from such a system (never done, have not clue, too scared = charge an arm and a leg). Installers are usually no trained; most German (and in other countries) require the installer to attend training courses, which they don't due to the cost involved. This means they can't get the gear form these comapnies and resort to cheaper components, which do not provide the performance; on top of that, short-cuts are being undertaken (such as inferior insulation, inadequate manifolds and circulation pumps), leading to a significant underperforming system. It is not a system that is being switched on when required, but requires a lead time, which is usually achieved through some timer and int/ext temperature control. It is far more efficient than any other form of heating -- also being the most comfortable heat as Amadio commented. Carpet does not matter in the equation WRT efficiency and effectiveness; carpet may present a problem for allergic people, due to raising dust particles. The heat source can be anything, including solar hot water. Due to the significant cost, lack of knowledgeable builders, architects, engineers, and installers, hydronic systems are given the thumbs down in Australia. My system will be installed in a solar-passive house, above concrete slab, after insulation, covered in self-levelling screed, reinforced with steel mesh. A variety of floor coverings will be installed. The system is computer controlled, including preset schedules for weekdays, holidays, weekend schedules, etc. A percentage of heat will be generated by solar hot water, the rest will be surplus energy from the solar PV system. If required a wet back on a wood heater can contribute to the heating. And yes, I am owner-building... simply to get the quality I am after in the build. 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 5674 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 5605 isn't a garage level with the rest of the house a given? pretty sure they 'came around' long time ago. if you have a flat block, the garage is usually level with the rest… 1 18525 |