Hydronic radiant heat installation recommendations?

We’re interested in installing hydronic radiant heat in the home we’re renovating (Warmboard specifically, but we are open to other products.) Since this is run off of a boiler, our GCs have recommended a plumber doing or supervising the installation. The plumbers we’ve spoken to so far don’t seem very experienced in this type of system. Has anyone here installed hydronic radiant heat and, if so, who did your installation? We’re interested in learning if people used their regular plumber or if they hired a specialist of some sort. Thanks!

carmenf

in About Brooklyn 10 years and 6 months ago

5

Please log in, in order to post replies!

5 replies

Newest Oldest

deanbh | 10 years and 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5148 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5103 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "58589"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "deanbh"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BFqLWIiGK/ir9Rk2VowKBnNIljQNp.0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "deanbh"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "ml5@cognation.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(26) "http:///www.collins.net.pr"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2010-07-04 01:21:41"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "deanbh"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(58589)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

can someone answer me a question about nailing in floorboards over the top of warmboard-r or -s…….how the heck do the contractors not put nails through the pex!! – http://www.warmboard.com/technical-information/faq

greenwoodgreenhome | 10 years and 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5147 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5146 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "185621"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(18) "greenwoodgreenhome"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BWL7mb15ae.wgptyHElM.NGVKFy3GV."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(18) "greenwoodgreenhome"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "margsuarez@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:56:25"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(18) "greenwoodgreenhome"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(185621)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

If you want to DIY it is possible for you to do the install and have a plumber hook it up. I recently installed WarmBoard-R (not structural, for renovation projects) over 1000 sqft myself, ran the pex to the basement, and had a boiler specialist provide the manifold and modcon boiler. You can go super engineered and high end with variable speed pumps, etc, but with my simple system we have gone through 2 heating seasons and it works great. You have to provide WarmBoard with a floorplan. They provide the layout (balanced runs under 250ft) and shopping list for free. Then you just need to lay out the boards like train tracks. You need a router with a special bit they provide to cut any custom channels. Wrangling the PEX is a chore, but not rocket science. Just don’t damage the tubes, and have your plumber help you test by pressurizing with compressed air for a week or so before hooking up to water. If you have questions you can contact me greenwoodgreenhome at gmail dot com

eman134 | 10 years and 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5143 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5149 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "177006"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "eman134"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BaRrlDjFBcYAeDJ9.lwOTJ9pQC9nsT."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "eman134"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "errol832000@hotmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(29) "http:///forums/users/eman134/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:25:55"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "eman134"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(177006)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Get a heating specialist, not an average plumber… Gateway (who posted above) has extensive experience in warmboard installation. I am a heating specialist myself, and my contact info is in my profile

TheBrooklynCarriage | 10 years and 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5148 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5150 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "44426"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(19) "TheBrooklynCarriage"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B4N9Y0uekrjE3IeqUknv0Y6T2wgcWM/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(19) "thebrooklyncarriage"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "vikkiandharold@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(36) "/forums/users/the_brooklyn_carriage/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:16:51"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(19) "TheBrooklynCarriage"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(44426)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Hi Carmenf, I had the warmboard system installed and can give you some pointers. You can reach me at harcol at hotmail

Master Plvmber | 10 years and 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5147 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5151 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "1447"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSHLZQSJWUzjnaSv9fyWJpNYjwcz.u."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "info@gatewayplumbing.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(30) "http://www.GatewayPlumbing.com"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2007-08-10 20:40:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(1447)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

We’ve been installing radiant heat since about 1992. http://brownstoner.staging.wpengine.com/gatewayplumbing If you’re dealing with Warmboard, call Customer Service or ask Sharon Sweet (ssweet@warmboard.com), who you should be dealing with anyway, about us. Ciao.