DIY Network

Turning the Water On: Radiant Floor Heating System From "Home IQ" episode DHIQ-120

Figure A

Radiant Floor Heating System

From a plumbing standpoint the Oberg's basement is one of the most sophisticated areas in the house, and this is due mainly to the innovative radiant floor heating system (figure A).

Note: For more information on this radiant flooring system, click here for more information from Episode 109 of Home IQ. Scroll down to the "Basement Radiant Floor-Heating System" heading.

This system utilizes the same Aquapex® tubing that provides the hot and cold water throughout the house. For more information on this product and technology click on the "Residential Sprinkler System and Radiant Flooring" resource, below.

Once the system is up and running the entire floor will radiate heat, and once a huge chunk of concrete such as a basement floor is heated it takes a "long" time for it to cool down, which means the water heater is not constantly running.

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	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

Water Heater

The plastic tubing that runs through the radiant floor heating system is connected to a manifold, which distributes the hot water supplied by a sophisticated water heater -- the Munchkin (figure B). For more information on this product, click on the "Munchkin Water Heater" listing, under Resources, below.

All the piping is interconnected to a tempering tank (figure C) and the domestic water tank as well. Due to the low capacity of the boiler some water needs to be stored (in the tempering tank) so it mixes to a lower operating temperature than what would be needed to generate domestic water. The actual water that flows into the radiant floor heating system is based on the outside temperature. There is a small micro-processor (figure D) monitors the outside weather conditions, and it translates that information and gives the boiler a new target temperature with every degree of variance on the outside. In other words, the system knows how cold it is outside and "tempers" the temperature for the basement floor.

Because the system is so complicated and the plumbers who worked the Oberg home had never worked with this new technology, Brad has to find an expert to install the system. He found an installer who has a Munchkin boiler in his house, luckily.

In the final segment we peruse the Oberg's master bathroom, and Brad has to tackle a problem with the washing machine.

RESOURCES :

Residential Sprinkler System and Radiant Flooring (Wirsbo)
Wirsbo Co.
Website: www.wirsbo.com

Kitchen and Bathroom Fixtures (Nicklas Supply)
Nicklas Supply, Inc./Splash
Website: www.wit-co.com
or www.nicklassupply.com

Plumbing Services (Pedicone)
Pedicone Plumbing
4364 Gibsonia Rd.
Rt. 910
Gibsonia, PA 15044
Phone: 724-443-6794

Sinks and Fixtures (Kohler)
Kohler Co.
Website: www.us.kohler.com

Munchkin Water Heater (Heat Transfer Products)

Water Heater Installation
A-Comfort Service, Inc.
Website: www.acomfortservice.com

GUESTS :

Brad and Lynn Oberg
Homeowners
Company: IBACOS (Brad)
Title: Co-Founder/Chief Technology Officer
Website: www.ibacos.com

Jeff Winkle
Director of Community Development
Cranberry Township
2525 Rochester Rd.
Cranberry Township, PA 16066-6499
Phone: 724-776-4806
Fax: 724-776-5488
E-mail: winklej@twp.cranberry.pa.us
Website: www.twp.cranberry.pa.us

Greg Allen
Site Supervisor
Hendolhurst Homes
955 Markman Park Rd.
Baden, PA 15005
Phone: 724-935-5658
Fax: 724-935-0884
E-mail: gcrbs@adelphia.net

Cindy Schad
Designer/Sales
Nicklas Supply, Inc./Splash
PO Box 1730
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
Phone: 724-772-1060
Fax: 724-772-3020

Bill Rittlemann
Project Engineer
IBACOS
2214 Liberty Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Website: www.ibacos.com

Jeremy Dindinger
Apprentice Plumber
Pedicone Plumbing
4364 Gibsonia Rd.
Rt. 910
Gibsonia, PA 15044
Phone: 724-443-6794

Kirk Vigil
Regional Sales Mgr.
Wirsbo Co.
5925 148th St. W.
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Toll-free: 800-321-4739
Phone: 952-891-2000
Fax: 952-891-2008
Website: www.wirsbo.com

Michael Morse
Journeyman Plumber
Pedicone Plumbing
4364 Gibsonia Rd.
Rt. 910
Gibsonia, PA 15044
Phone: 724-443-6794

Todd Rhule
Installer
A-Comfort Service, Inc.
8600 Perry Hwy.
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone: 412-366-8117
Fax: 412-366-6038
E-mail: Info@AcomfortService.com
Website: www.acomfortservice.com