Low Temperature Heating | Watts Radiant

lotemp
New Member

Posts: 2

Low Temperature Heating Jan 20, 2011 2:55:10 GMT -6

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Post by lotemp on Jan 20, 2011 2:55:10 GMT -6

I live in a fairly moderate climate, and I own a smaller house that insulated much better than it needs to be.

I know that a lot of work has been done in Europe on Low Temperature Heating (also called Low-Exergy Heating, Low-Lift Heating), but info on this subject, especially design literature is not easy to come by in the USA.

I have already installed a small ground source loop field (BTU/hr <= 12,000).

Also, since water-in-water-out heat pumps of less than 1 Ton are not manufactured, I have made one that is working just fine.

I have learned from much testing of this heat pump that its efficiency is very dependant on the temperature of the feed water it must produce.

So the next step is the design of the radiant floor. I want a feed temp of 80 degrees.

Most of the available information in the US is meant for feed temps of 115 to 160 degrees.

Does anyone have any information regarding such a radiant floor design?

Thank you,

-LowTemp

Luke Hann
Technical Sales

Posts: 1

Low Temperature Heating Jan 24, 2011 15:34:48 GMT -6

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Post by Luke Hann on Jan 24, 2011 15:34:48 GMT -6

Lotemp,

Watts does designs of all calibers and for all temps. One cool thing We offer is a download for our software RadiantWorks pro which will allow you to put in what options you are looking for in your design. The website is : www.wattsradiant.com/support/radiantworks/ and if you are having troubles with your design, feel free to contact our support specialist toll free at 1 (800) 276-2419.

Low temps might be possible, just be fair warned that your pumps may need to be larger to push more flow to get teh BTU's to the zones. Thanks for the question and let me know if I can help any further.

LUKE HANN

lotemp
New Member

Posts: 2

Low Temperature Heating Aug 26, 2011 11:33:02 GMT -6

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Post by lotemp on Aug 26, 2011 11:33:02 GMT -6

Well, I have worked with the software, and it is pretty nice, I must admit.

I tried pushing radiant floor design to the limits, and found that tube spacing was constrained to a 4" minimum. There may be a way to go beyond that, but I don't know what that way may be.

I was quite interested in looking at 3/8" tubing spaced at 3" and maybe even closer, used with a very thin slab, and also as a comparison, aluminum fins.

Thanks for any help.

-LowTemp