In today's world we get inundated with so much information, it's hard to take it all in. It's pretty easy to find information about radiant floor heat on the internet - sometimes it's overwhelming, and sometimes the information is conflicting.
The conflicting information about radiant heat can stem from several factors, mostly variations on design approaches. A competent radiant designer will be able to explain the approach they are using and adapt to your preferences. Regardless of the radiant design approach employed - having helped thousands of customers; I've noticed a trend in the purchasing process over the years.
So, I've broken down the basic process most people go through as they decide to purchase their own radiant heating package. This page is an overview of the 6 basic steps taken when buying a radiant heat system.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Step One: Gain a basic understanding of radiant heating - determine if this is a project you can do yourself or what level of installation assistance you may need.
Concepts you may need to be familiar with:
* Tubing installed in a concrete slab on grade
* Tubing installed in a topping slab
* Tubing installed in a thin-slab on Subfloor
* Tubing attached below a Subfloor
* Tubing attached with heat transfer plates below a Subfloor
* Engineered Subfloor with metal and tubing grooves
* Above-floor boards with metal and grooves
* Lumber overlay method with or without plates
You can also find a simplified overview on our "radiant basics" page.
Take some time to study - do the research, it will pay off in the end. At this point, you're trying to determine if a do-it-yourself approach is feasible for you.
Here are some factors that may come into play:
Budget - A complete radiant system installed by a professional may cost anywhere from $8 to $15 per square foot. Other DIY approaches can run as low as $2 and as high as $10 per square foot. It will be up to you to determine how much of the work you're willing and able to do and how much you're willing to invest in your radiant project.
Time - The more you choose to do yourself, the more time you'll have invested in your project. The upside is - you'll save money and when you're finished, you'll be able to enjoy the benefits of a radiant system - for less.
Ability/Aptitude - Some people have a knack for DIY projects, some people have less of a knack. As part of your research, you'll be able to get a good idea of what's involved and what's expected. When selecting your radiant heating system supplier, you'll need to find out what kind of support they offer. If they're not local, you may need to identify a local mechanical or plumbing contractor who would be willing to assist you.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Step 2: Identify possible suppliers - assess their qualifications and match them up to your expectations.
The easiest way to do that in today's world is to do an internet search for terms like: radiant heat, radiant floor heating, radiant design, hydronic heat, etc. You'll find lots of possible suppliers in the first 10-30 listings and lots of free information about the way they approach radiant heating, the products they offer and usually the type of services they provide.
The tough part will be sifting through all that information to assess their qualifications. You may want to contact a few of them by e-mail or phone to see what kind of process they go through with their customers.
Some people get hung up on price right about here, and that is understandable. It is important to have a budgetary figure in mind early on. Various suppliers have differing methods for approaching your project and working up bids.
They may be able to give you a rough price range, but the key concept at this point is to get a good idea of the product quality and level of service they offer. This may be your radiant heating system someday - you probably don't want the cheapest and you probably don't want the most expensive. Odds are, you're looking for the best quality products at the best price with the level of service that best suits your level of ability - in other words, you're looking for the best value.
So, after some initial research - ask some questions, see what kind of vibe you get from the company website and your salesperson. You're looking for the company that offers the products and services that fit you the best.
If you need some help - feel free to send me an e-mail with your questions.
RadiantSteve
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Step 3: Analyze your project requirements - determine your project needs and address any initial concerns:
To properly analyze your project requirements you'll need to know or be able to provide the following information - or your supplier will need to be able to figure it out for you.
Heat load estimate - Heat Source Sizing
To insure that your radiant system will do the job - your system needs to be designed to put out more BTU's than your structure can lose. There are a few different ways to approach a heat loss estimate. Sometimes the architect does one as part of the floor plan - you may need to look to a mechanical engineer or your radiant system designer.
Factors that come into play include the climate at your construction site - insulation values for walls, ceilings, windows and doors - and domestic hot water usage.
Installation Methods Include:
* Tubing installed in a concrete slab on grade
* Tubing installed in a topping slab
* Tubing installed in a thin-slab on Subfloor
* Tubing attached below a Subfloor
* Tubing attached with heat transfer plates below a Subfloor
* Engineered Subfloor with metal and tubing grooves
* Above-floor boards with metal and grooves
* Lumber overlay method with or without plates
See our "radiant basics" page for a brief overview of these methods.
Your system design will need to take into account the method by which your tubing will be installed. In some cases, more than one method will work, and that means you and your system designer will have to decide which methods are right for your project.
Tubing Spacing
This will be determined by the heat loss estimate and your method of tubing installation. Some suppliers will provide you with a customized tubing layout with spacing and loop length guidelines. This can be an invaluable service to a first-time radiant installer and opens the door for novice do-it-yourselfers to install their own radiant system - and get it right the first time.
Operating Temperature
This will be affected by all of the above factors. Your system designer should be able to give you the design temperature range for your system. In some cases, further tweaking may be necessary once your system is up and running.
Fuel Type
You have several options: Natural Gas, Oil, Propane, Electric, Wood, Solar, Waste Oil, Bio-Diesel and a few other alternatives. Your choice of heat sources may be determined by the type of fuel choices available at your site.
Zoning
Your system designer should be able to make zoning recommendations for you based on your plans. If you have specific zoning requirements, let your designer know - they're usually happy to accomodate those requests.
You may need custom radiant system design work and system submittal documentation - this will be important when it comes to your permit applications and sometimes your energy code/Title 24 paperwork as well.
If you'd like me to take a look at your project and provide an estimate, feel free to send me an email with your inquiry: steve@radiantsteve.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Step 4: Specify and Design your radiant system.
At this point, your supplier should be able to provide you with a system quote and offer any possible options. This will help you with any project budget considerations.
Heat source
This is a critical component. Based on your heat load estimate, climate, elevation and fuel choice - your system designer can recommend the heat sources that best suits your project needs.
Manifold/control configuration
After going over your heat loss and in conjunction with your installation methods and zoning requirements, your system designer will know the appropriate manifold and control panel and configuration for you.
Tubing - loops/zones
This is the final piece of the puzzle - by now, your system designer should be able to provide you with a firm quote for your system and answer any design level and technical questions you may have.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Step 5: Select your supplier - Make your purchase - schedule your shipment.
When choosing your supplier, it is common for people to simply compare prices and pick the cheapest bid. That's a valid method, and the explosive growth of the internet has made it easy for consumers to compare prices.
This can be both good and bad for consumers. Good - if it truly means the lowest price offers the best value. Bad - because you, as the consumer have to figure out for yourself if the low price means you're sacrificing quality or service.
You may want to consider some additional factors as you make your purchase decision:
*Reputation, past performance and testimonials/referrals.
*Quality of product selection.
*Level of customer service.
*Commitment to customer support
*Warranty policies
*Return policies
I've personally spoken with many people who bought on price alone - only to find that their vendor was lacking in one or more of these areas. I figure if you're still reading this you're commited to the research needed to get the the best value for your dollar. If you filter you prospective suppler through the above criteria, you'll be in a much better position to make an intelligent decision about which vendor is the best fit for you.
Once you've decided, it's time to make you purchase. Keep in mind this will be your heating system, it's not a book from Amazon.com. There will be some kind of lead time from order to delivery, allow yourself 2-4 weeks to avoid project delays.
A reputable vendor well accept major credit cards: VISA, MC
- maybe Discover and/or AMEX. They may also accept PayPal, wire transfers, and checks or money orders.
Your supplier will most likely have a process in place to take your order - part of which should include being able to schedule your delivery. By the time you've gone through the ordering process, your vendor should be able to confirm your order details and shipment method and scheduling with you.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Step 6: Inspect your system upon arrival - Install your new radiant system.
Depending on the vendor and their shipper - you may be able to track your order and shipment status online. Some shippers will call you to set up a delivery appointment.
Once your package arrives, it's a good idea to check it for damage - if there is obvious damage you have a couple of options. You can refuse the shipment, in cases of serious damage this is your best bet. An alternative would be to call your supplier before the shipper leaves and discuss it with one of their support staff. They may want to see a picture and with today's cell phones - that may be an easy way to work out the best resolution.
Hopefully, your system arrived without damage. Unpack your equipment and familiarize yourself with the components, the installation manual and any tubing layout diagrams they may have supplied.
When you're ready, begin your installation. If any questions come up during your install, hopefully the vendor you've chosen has support staff on hand to walk you through any issues as they arise.
I hope you've found this series of articles helpful. If you have any questions or concerns, let me know.
-RadiantSteve
I would be happy to help you go through this process and insure a properly designed radiant heat system with a customized package of components. You may e-mail me here at RadiantSteve and request a project questionnaire.
You may also want to take a look at these radiant floor heat packages, just click that link to go to www.radiantdirect.com.
