Manual of Modern Hydronics: - Residential - Industrial - Commercial - Snow and Ice Melt

Manual of
Modern
Hydronics
SECOND EDITION
Residential
Industrial
Commercial
S n ow a n d I c e M e l t
Professional Radiant Heating Solutions
T HE IPEX M ANUAL OF M ODERN H YDRONICS
TABLE OF C ONTENTS
Section 1:
Consider the Possibilities! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Section 2:
Heat Source Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Section 3:
Water Temperature Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Section 4:
Radiant Floor Heating Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Section 5:
Radiant Walls and Ceilings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Section 6:
Manifold Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Section 7:
Pre-Assembled Control Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
Section 8:
Distribution systems for Hydronic Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Section 9:
Designing Multiple-Load Hydronic Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Section 10:
Radiant Pipe and Tubing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Section 11:
Hydronic Snow and Ice Melting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Section 12:
IPEX Radiant Design Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131

TM
Appendix
SECTION
1
C ONSIDER T HE P OSSIBILITIES !
Question:
What kinds of heating loads can be handled using modern hydronics technology?
Answer:
Almost any load you can think of!
For years the concept of hydronic heating evoked thoughts of cast-iron radiators or fin-tube baseboards in homes
and commercial buildingsand not much else.
Early hydronic systems were usually classified as being residential or commercial in nature. Residential
systems were the domain of plumbing / heating contractors. Rule of thumb design was usually good enough given
the limited variety of systems installed. The piping and control methods used in these systems remained essentially unchanged between the 1950s and the 1980s in North America.
Commercial hydronic systems were a world apart from their residential counterparts. Techniques such as primary
/ secondary piping, multiple water temperature distribution systems, and outdoor reset control were successfully
deployed in commercial systems, but almost never considered for residential applications.
A New Era for Hydronics

Times have changed considerably, hydronically speaking. Residential and commercial systems now share some
common piping and control strategies. Successful installation strategies first developed decades ago are being
redeployed using modern materials and control strategies that ensure decades of reliable and energy efficient
operation.
The days when hydronic systems consisted solely of

cast-iron radiators, copper or black iron pipe and fintube baseboard are gone. New hardware such as Kitec
pipe and WarmRite Control Panels now make it
possible to install quality systems that serve a
multitude of heating loads. Modern systems can incorporate a variety of heat emitters. Each are selected to
match the exact thermal, aesthetic and budget
constraints of a project.
Today, hydronic heating contractors are being asked to
furnish heating systems for everything from small
apartments to large custom-built houses, as well as a
variety of commercial buildings. Each job brings its
own particular set of requirements.
Many modern systems contain several types of heat
emitters operating at different water temperatures and
divided up into a dozen or more independently
controlled zones.
Some contractors hesitate to take on such challenging
systems. Others recognize that with the right materials
and design methods, these systems are not only
possible, but also offer excellent profit potential as well
as the likelihood of future referrals.
Contractors who recognize what modern hydronics
technology has to offer, and who take the time to learn
how to apply new design techniques and hardware, are
enjoying
unprecedented
business
growth.
Discriminating clients seek out these hydronic
specialists because they offer what their competition
cannotthe ability to pull together modern materials
and design methods to create heating systems specifically tailored to their clients needs.
To take advantage of such opportunities, you need to
know how to use these modern piping and control
techniques. Thats what this manual is all about. It will
show you how to use Kitec pipe, WarmRite Control
Panels, and other hardware to assemble state-of-theart hydronic systems that deliver comfort, economical
and reliable operation and most importantly, satisfied
customers. Armed with this knowledge youll find
modern hydronic heating to be among the most satisfying and profitable niches in the HVAC industry.
IPEX Incorporated is ready, willing, and able to help
you achieve the many benefits offered to those who
know how to apply modern hydronics technology.
One System that Does It All

The concept that best describes modern hydronic
heating is:
One heat source serving multiple loads
Those loads include:
Radiant heating of floors, walls and ceilings

Baseboard heating
Panel radiators
Hydro-air subsystems
Indirect domestic water heating
Intermittent garage heating
Pool and spa heating
Snow melting
District heating of several adjacent buildings
Agricultural / horticultural loads such as
animal enclosures, greenhouse heating, and
turf warming
Many projects may have several of these loads, each

requiring heat in different amounts, at different times
and at different temperatures.
For example, the space heating loads of a given
building might best be served by a combination of
hydronic heat emitters. Some areas might be perfect
for radiant floor heating while others are better suited
to radiant ceiling heating. Still other areas might be
ideal for baseboard or even ducted forced-air through
an air handler equipped with a hot water coil.
Almost every house and commercial building also
needs domestic hot water. In some cases, this load can
be as large or larger than the space heating load.
Many facilities are also perfect candidates for hydronic
snow melting - if those in charge are aware of the
benefits it offers compared to traditional methods of
snow removal.
Some designers approach situations like these by
proposing a separate, isolated hydronic system for each
load. One boiler to heat the building, another to melt
the snow in the driveway, and perhaps still another to
heat the pool. The same building might also use one or
more direct-fired domestic water heaters.
Although such an approach is possible, it seldom takes
advantage of the unique ability of hydronics to connect
all the loads to a single heat source. The latter
approach often reduces the size and cost of the overall
system. It also makes for easier servicing and reduces
fuel consumption. Such a synergistic system is made
possible through modern hydronics technology.
SECTION 1
C ONSIDER THE P OSSIBILITIES
and easily mounted unit. All thats left to do is to pipe
From Simple to Sophisticated

Lets look at the versatility of modern hydronics
technology in meeting the demands of both simple and
sophisticated load requirements.
Well start with something basic: a floor heating system
for a small addition to a home. Because the load is
small, a water heater will be used as the heat source.
It, as well as the other system components, is shown in
figure 1-1
Figure 1-2
the WarmRite control panel to the water heater,
connect the floor circuits, and then route power to it.
Although this system is very simple in concept and
construction its also capable of delivering comfort far
superior to its alternatives, several of which may cost
more to install as well as to operate.
Figure 1-1
A Slightly Larger Requirement
Although the installer could purchase components

(such as the manifolds, a bronze circulator, expansion
tank) and all the valving separately, using a WarmRite
control panel can save much time and labor. All the
needed components are preassembled into a compact
A typical home often has a design heating load greater

than what can be supplied from a residential water
heater, especially if the same unit also has to supply
domestic hot water. In such cases a boiler is a more
appropriate heat source.
Figure 1-3 is an example of a hydronic system that
Figure 1-3
supplies space heating through a radiant floor

subsystem as well as domestic hot water via an indirect
water heater.
Two WarmRite control panels are used to provide the
water and electrical control functions for the space
heating portion of the system. In this case, electric
valve actuators have been included in the WarmRite
control panels to allow individual temperature control
of several rooms. An external injection mixing system
has been installed between the WarmRite control
panels and the primary loop, to vary the water temperature supplied to the floor circuits based on outside
temperature (e.g. outdoor reset control). This mixing
system also protects the boiler from flue gas condensation that can be caused by low return water temperatures.
Multiple Water Temperatures...No Problem

Some buildings may require (or some customers may
prefer) different types of hydronic heat emitters that
operate at different water temperatures. For example, a
portion of a building may use radiant floor heating. The
tubing circuits in the heated floor slab might operate at
105 deg. F. water temperature at design conditions.
Another part of the building may be heated with fintube baseboard that needs 180 deg. F. water at the
same time. Providing these multiple water temperatures is relatively straightforward using the
piping/control scheme depicted in figure 1-4.
Notice that the manifold supplying the baseboard
circuits is piped directly into the primary loop and thus
receives hot (180 deg. F.) water. The floor heating
circuits are supplied with reduced water temperature
through use of an injection mixing system and the
WarmRite control panel. Note that all components
related to run the floor heating circuits are integrated
into one preassembled WarmRite control panel. The
boiler also supplies hot (180 deg. F.) water to the heat
exchanger of the indirect water heater for fast recovery.
This system now serves three different heating loads
using two water temperatures. But thats far from
pushing the limits of modern hydronics technology.
A Sophisticated System
Suppose that after discussing the above system, your
customer asks if you can also provide snow melting,
occasional garage heating or pool heating. Maybe even
all three at the same time. This is an opportunity where
Figure 1-4
10
SECTION 1
hydronics can really come through. It is a situation

where you can provide an efficient customized system
thats exactly right for your customers needs.
Figure 1-5 depicts one way such a system could be
assembled.
Think of this system as a collection of subassemblies
plugged into a common source of heated water: the
primary loop. The floor heating subassembly appears
the same as in figure 1-4 except now there are two of
them. Its simply plugged into larger primary loop.
Likewise, the manifold supplying the baseboard zones
is plugged into the primary loop the same as in figure
1-4.
Whats new are the subassemblies that supply the heat
exchanger for the snow melting and pool heating
systems. Think of the heat exchangers as the
separating point between the hot water in the primary
loop and the fluids that carry heat to the snow melting
circuits and the pool. The heat gets passed from one
fluid to the other, but the fluids themselves never mix.
C ONSIDER THE P OSSIBILITIES
pair of boilers controlled by a staging control. This

conceptcalled a multiple boiler systemis now
common in larger residential as well as commercial
systems. The multiple boiler system is sized to deliver
the proper amount of heat when all the loads that are
capable of running simultaneously are doing so. Such
an approach yields higher seasonal efficiency
compared to a single large boiler. It also adds to the
systems reliability since one boiler can still operate
should the other be down for service.
The system shown in figure 1-5 uses state-of-the art
piping and control techniques to serve all the heating
loads of a large house with many amenities. It also
makes use of Kitec and WarmRite hardware to speed
installation and ensure top quality.
The sections to follow discuss many of the key
concepts and available options for assembling both
simple and sophisticated hydronic systems. Learn
them, apply them, and then take pride in providing
your customers with the comfort and efficiency that
only modern hydronics technology can deliver.
The power plant for this sophisticated system is a
Figure 1-5
11
SECTION
2
H EAT S OURCE O PTIONS
A wide variety of heat sources can be used with hydronic heating systems. They include gas- and oil-fired boilers,
hydronic heat pumps and domestic water heaters to name a few. Some are better suited to higher temperature
systems, while others are ideal for low temperature systems.
This section briefly describes the characteristics of several heat sources suitable for hydronic systems. More
detailed information pertaining to their selection and installation is best found in manufacturers literature and
manuals. Relevant building / mechanical codes should also be consulted for specific installation requirement.
The information at the end of this section allows designers to compare the cost of energy provided by several
common fuels based on their local cost and the efficiency at which they are converted to heat.
2-1 Conventional Boilers

The most common hydronic heat source is a conventional gas- or oil-fired boiler. They are available with heat
exchangers made of cast-iron, steel and finned copper tubing.
Although designed to operate at relatively high water temperatures, conventional boilers can be adapted to lower
temperature hydronic systems such as radiant floor heating by using a mixing device. Their ability to produce
high temperature water makes them a good choice in systems where both low temperature and high temperature
heat emitters are used.
The term conventional describes boilers that are intended to operate without sustained condensation of the flue
gases produced during the combustion process inside the boiler. These flue gases are made up of water vapor,
carbon dioxide, and trace amounts of other combustion products depending on the fuels used, and the tuning of
the burner.
All boilers experience temporary flue gas condensation during cold starts. If the boiler is connected to a low mass
13
distribution system that is designed to operate at

higher water temperaturesfin-tube baseboard for
examplesuch flue gas condensation is short-lived. It
rapidly evaporates as the boiler warms above the dew
point of the exhaust gases.
However, when a conventional boiler serves as the heat
source for a low temperature distribution system it is
imperative to keep the inlet temperature to the boiler
above the dew point of the exhaust gases. For gas-fired
boilers, the inlet water temperature during sustained
operation should not be less than 130 deg. F. For oilfired boilers, it should not be less than 150 deg. F.
Failure to provide such boiler inlet temperature
protection will cause the water vapor (and other
compounds present in the exhaust gases) to continually condense on the internal heat exchanger
surfaces. The acidic nature of such condensate can
cause swift and severe corrosion along with scale
formation inside the boiler. It can also rapidly corrode
galvanized vent piping, as well as the deterioration of
masonry chimneys
Hydronic distribution systems with high thermal mass
can also cause prolonged flue gas condensation as the
system warms up to normal operating temperature. A
cool concrete slab with embedded tubing circuits is a
good example. As the slab begins to warm, its thermal
mass can extract heat from the circulating water
stream 3 to 4 times faster than normal. Since the rate
of heat release from the water is much higher than the
rate of heat production, the water temperature (in an
unprotected boiler) will quickly drop well below the
dew point temperature of the exhaust gases. The boiler
can operate for hours with sustained flue gas condensation. Such a situation must be avoided.
The key to avoiding low boiler inlet water temperature
is preventing the distribution systemwhatever type it
happens to befrom extracting heat from the water
faster than the boiler can produce heat.
adjust boiler return temperature by limiting the rate of

heat transfer allowed to pass through a mixing device
and into the distribution system. The piping concept is
shown in figure 2-1. The details involved in providing
boiler return temperature protection will be discussed
in section 3.
2-2 Condensing Boilers

In contrast to conventional boilers, gas-fired
condensing boilers are specifically designed to promote
condensation of the water vapor that is produced
during combustion. They use large internal heat
exchanger surfaces to coax as much heat as possible
from the exhaust gases. The heat exchanger surfaces
are made of high-grade stainless steel or other special
alloys, and are not corroded by the acidic condensate
that forms as the flue gases cool below the dew point.
When properly applied in low temperature hydronic
systems, such boilers can attain efficiency of 95+ %.
Although they are more complicated and more
expensive than most conventional boilers, condensing
boilers are well suited for low temperature hydronic
systems such as slab-type floor heating, snow melting,
pool heating and low- to medium- temperature
domestic water heating. The lower the temperature of
the water returning from the distribution system, the
greater the rate of condensate formation, and the
higher the boilers efficiency.
Although condensing boilers can be used as heat
sources for higher temperature hydronic systems, this
is generally not advisable. The higher operating water
temperatures prevent the boiler from operating with
sustained flue gas condensation. Under such conditions their efficiency is comparable to that of a conventional boiler. Again, the key to attaining high efficiency
from a condensing boiler is matching it with a lowtemperature distribution system.
Modern mixing devices can automatically monitor and
Systems with condensing boilers typically do NOT use

mixing devices between the boiler and the distribution
Figure 2-1
Figure 2-2
14
SECTION 2
system. This helps offset a portion of the boilers higher

cost. Most condensing boilers can also be side wall
vented through a 2 CPVC pipe. This too lowers installation cost relative to boilers vented through a chimney.
Figure 2-2 shows how a condensing boiler would be
piped in a typical floor heating system.
2-3 Tank-type Water Heaters

Some hydronic systems can use tank-type domestic
water heaters as their heat source. Usually the size of
such systems is limited by the heating capacity of the
water heater. Residential water heaters have heat
outputs in the range of 15,000 to 40,000 Btu/hr. This
usually limits their application to small apartments or
modest residential additions.
bution system. The tank is directly piped to the distribution system as shown in figure 2-3. The tanks
thermostat is set for the desired supply water temperature.
In some systems a water heater is expected to supply
both domestic hot water and space heating. Although
possible under some circumstances, the designer must
ensure that the heating capacity of the water heater
can handle both the space heating and domestic water
heating loads. If these loads occur simultaneously, it is
usually necessary to make the domestic water heating
load a priority over the space heating load. Temperature
controls can be used to temporarily suspend heat
output to the space heating system until the domestic
water heating load subsides and the tank temperature
recovers.
Opinions vary on the suitability of circulating potable
water through the space heating circuits. Under some
circumstances, the potable water can remain stagnant
in the space heating circuits for several months
allowing for the possibility of microbe growth. Because
potable water is used in the space heating circuits, all
metal components must be bronze or stainless steel to
resist corrosion from the oxygen-rich water. There is
also the possibility of scale or sediment in the space
heating system due to contaminants in the potable
water.
Figure 2-3
Because tank-type water heaters are designed to
operate at lower water temperatures, mixing devices
are not usually used between the tank and the distri-
The preferred approach to such dual use systems is

to separate the space heating portions of the system
from those containing domestic water using a small
stainless steel heat exchanger as shown in figure 2-4.
Because the heat exchanger isolates the space heating
components the distribution system must have an
expansion tank, pressure relief valve and air separator.
Figure 2-4
15
2-4 Geothermal Heat Pumps
from short cycling under low load conditions.
Geothermal heat pumps are one of the newest heat

sources suitable for some types of hydronic heating
systems. They extract low temperature heat from a
tubing circuit buried in the earth, or directly from water
wells or other sources of water such as a large pond or
lake. Using a refrigeration system similar to that in a
central air conditioner, the heat captured from the
earth is boosted in temperature and then transferred to
a stream of water flowing to the distribution system.
As with condensing boilers, geothermal heat pumps

attain their highest efficiency when matched to lowtemperature distribution systems. Slab type radiant
floor heating systems operating at water temperatures
in the range of 100 to 115 deg. F. at design conditions
are ideal. The lower the water temperature, the higher
the heat pump efficiency the system can operate at.
As with condensing boilers, no mixing device is

required between the heat pump and the distribution
circuits. However, if the distribution system is divided
into several independently controlled zones, an
insulated buffer tank should be installed between the
heat pump and the distribution system as shown in
figure 2-5. This tank allows the heat output rate of the
heat pump to be different than the heat extraction rate
of the distribution system. It prevents the heat pump
In addition to heating, geothermal heat pumps can also

supply chilled water for hydronic cooling applications.
The most common approach uses an air handler
equipped with a chilled water coil. Other terminal units
such as radiant ceiling panels can be used for chilled
water cooling, but such systems require accurate and
reliable dew point control to avoid condensation on the
chilled surfaces. A separate air handler is usually
required to control humidity.
Avoid geothermal heat pumps in systems requiring

design water temperatures above 130 deg. F.
Figure 2-5
16
SECTION 2
2-5 Thermal Energy Storage Systems

Many electric utilities offer off-peak electrical rates.
Power that is purchased during off-peak hours is
usually much less expensive than during periods of
high demand.
A hydronic heating system is an excellent means of
taking advantage of these rates. The idea is to
purchase the electricity during the off-peak period and
store the energy as heated water. This water is then
used to heat the building during the on-peaks
periods when electrical rates are higher. A schematic
showing how this concept can be implemented is
shown in figure 2-6.
The beginning of an off-peak charging cycle is initiated
by a switch contact in the electric meter. At this point,
one or more electrical heating elements are turned on
to heat water in the large, well-insulated storage tank.
Charging continues for several hours, and the tank
become progressively hotter. If heat is needed by the
building during the charging cycle, some of the tank

water is routed out through the distribution system the
same as any other time of day. By the end of the
charging cycle the water temperature in the tank may
be as high as 200 deg. F. When the switch contact in
the meter opens, the electrical elements are turned off.
The hot water in the tank contains the heat needed for
most if not all of the on-peak hours to follow.
Low temperature distribution systems such as radiant
floor heating are ideally suited to such a heat source.
Their low operating temperature allows the tank to be
deeply discharged and thus maximizes its heat storage
capability. The heat stored in a heated floor slab also
allows the system to coast through the last 2 to 4
hours of the on-peak period should the energy in the
tank be depleted.
A mixing device installed between the storage tank and
the distribution system automatically reduces the water
temperature supplied to the distribution system as
necessary.
Figure 2-6
17
2-6 Wood-fired Boilers

When firewood is readily available and competitive in
cost with conventional fuels, wood-fired boilers are
another possible hydronic heat source.
In some systems, a wood-fired boiler is used in tandem
with a conventional fuel boiler. The piping concept is
shown in figure 2-7. Each boiler is piped as a
secondary circuit into a common primary piping loop.
This arrangement allows either boiler to operate
without circulating hot water through the other
(unfired) boiler, thus reducing heat loss. System
controls are usually configured so the conventional fuel
boiler automatically assumes the load as the fire dies
down in the wood-fired boiler.
Heat output from a wood-fired boiler is harder to
control than that from a conventional boiler. A large
volume of water in the system adds to its stability. The
water volume may be contained in the wood-fired boiler

itself or in a separate insulated thermal storage tank.
Such a tank must be well insulated so that it can store
heat for several hours with minimal losses. The concept
is also shown in figure 2-7.
Some wood-fired boilers are not pressure rated. The
water chambers inside the boiler are vented directly to
the atmosphere. Although opinions vary on how best to
connect such open system boilers to hydronic distribution systems the conservative approach is to install
a stainless steel heat exchanger to isolate the boiler
water from that in the pressurized distribution system.
Not only does this allow the distribution system to be
pressurized for quiet, air-free operation, but it also
protects the cast iron and steel components in the
distribution system from the possibility of corrosion
through contact with boiler water that has a higher
concentration of dissolved oxygen.
Figure 2-7
18
SECTION 2
2-7 Comparing Fuel Costs
common basis.
In many cases the heat source is selected based on the

type of fuel that is available or determined to be most
economical over the life of the system. The commonly
used fuels are sold in different units such as kilowatthours for electricity, therms for natural gas, gallons for
fuel oil and face cords for firewood. To perform an
accurate comparison it is necessary to express the cost
and energy content of each candidate fuel on a
The formulas in figure 2-8 allow the cost of heating

energy from each of several fuels to be expressed on
the common basis of dollars per million Btus of
delivered heat. This is abbreviated as $/MMBtu. These
formulas take into account the cost, purchase units, as
well as efficiency of the heat source in converting the
fuel into useful heat.
Figure 2-8
19
SECTION
3
WATER T EMPERATURE C ONTROL
All hydronic heating systems must control the water temperature supplied to their heat emitters. A simple system
may only need to supply one water temperature to all the loads it serves. A more sophisticated system containing
several types of heat emitters may need to simultaneously supply two or more water temperatures.
This section discusses several methods of water temperature control and the hardware necessary to accomplish it.
3-1 Setpoint control

The simplest method of water temperature control is called
setpoint control. As its name implies, a single (set) water
temperature is supplied to the distribution system regardless of
which loads are active, or how great the demand for heat is (as long
as there is a demand).
To prevent short cycling of the heat source or other equipment in
the system, setpoint controls require an operating differential. This
refers to the variation in temperature between which control closes
or opens its electrical contacts. A contact closure is the most
common way to turn the heat source on and off. For example, a
setpoint control with a setting of 180 deg. F. and a differential of
10 deg. F. would turn the heat source off at 180 deg. F. and back
on when it the temperature drops to 170 deg. F.
Some setpoint controls center their differential on the setpoint.
A device of this type, when set to 180 deg. F. and a 10 deg. F.
differential, would open its electrical contacts to turn the heat
Figure 3-1
21
source off at 185 deg. F. and close them when the

sensed temperature drops to 175 deg. F. Figure 3-1
compares these two types of setpoint control.
Some setpoint controls have fixed (non-adjustable)
differentials, while others provide an adjustable differential. The narrower the differential, the closer the
water temperature stays to the desired setpoint.
However if the differential is too narrow, the heat
source or other equipment in the system could
experience excessively short operating cycles that
reduce their efficiency and shorten their life. Heat
source operating differentials in the range of 10 deg. F.
are common in hydronic systems.
Systems using setpoint controls provide the same
average water temperature to the loads whenever there
is a call for heat, regardless of the rate of heat input
required by the load. For example, a boiler operated by
a setpoint control supplying a circuit of fin-tube
baseboard would deliver hot water (perhaps averaging
around 175 deg. F.) whether the outdoor temperature
was -10 deg. F. on a cold January night, or 50 deg. F.
on a mild October afternoon. To prevent overheating
under all but design load conditions, flow must be
periodically interrupted by turning off the circulator or
closing the zone valves. To keep room temperature
variations to a minimum, its important to have a
thermostat with a narrow differential of perhaps 1 or 2
deg. F. If the thermostat has an anticipator it should be
carefully set for the electrical current flow through it
during its on-cycle.
They are:
1. boiler reset control
2. mixing reset control
A boiler reset control takes over operation of the burner
from the standard (fixed) high limit control supplied
with most boilers. As the outside air temperature
changes, the reset control continually recalculates how
high the boiler water temperature will be allowed to
climb and operates the burner accordingly.
Boiler reset is well suited for systems using relatively
high temperature hydronic heat emitters, like
baseboard or panel radiators. However, because
conventional boilers should not operated for prolonged
periods at temperatures below the dew point of their
exhaust gases, boiler reset is limited when used in
conjunction with low temperature heat emitters. In
such cases, boiler water temperature can only
partially reset down to a user-selected minimum
temperature setting as shown in figure 3-2.
3-2 Outdoor reset control

Rather than deliver heat in spurts, an ideal system
would continually adjust its rate of heat delivery to
match the heat loss of the building. The indoor air
temperature would remain constant, and there would
be no difference in comfort regardless of outside conditions.
Outdoor reset control (ORC) was developed for this
purpose. It enables heat to flow from the heat emitters
to the space being heated at just the right rate. ORC is
increasingly recognized as the preferred method of
water temperature control, especially for high thermal
mass floor heating systems.
All outdoor reset controls use outside air temperature
to determine the ideal target water temperature to be
supplied to the systems heat emitters. The colder it is
outside, the higher the water temperature. The goal is
to match the rate of heat delivery to the rate of heat
loss from the building.
There are two methods of using reset control in a
hydronic system. Each can be used by itself, or the two
can be used in combination.
22
Figure 3-2
For the case shown, the boiler outlet temperature
would not be reduced below 140 deg. F. This water
temperature happens to correspond to an outside air
temperature of 25 deg. F. Air temperatures of 25 deg.
F. and higher represent a large percentage of the
heating season in many parts of North America. This
implies the 140 deg. F. water temperature supplied to
the heat emitters will be higher than necessary during
much of the heating season. The room thermostat must
turn the circulator (or zone valve) on and off to prevent
overheating under these conditions.
SECTION 3
Figure 3-3
Mixing reset control requires a mixing assembly
between the boiler loop and a separate distribution
circuit. This assembly could contain a modulating 2way, 3-way, or 4-way valve, or a variable speed injection
pump as depicted in figure 3-3. These options are
discussed in more detail later in this section.
reset control operates the mixing device to reduce the

primary loop water temperature as appropriate for the
loads they serve. Some systems may have two or more
independent mixing devices supplied from a common
primary loop.
The mixing assembly provides the proper supply water

temperature to the distribution system. When
necessary, it also acts as a clutch to prevent the cold
thermal mass of a distribution system from extracting
heat faster than the boiler can produce it. This latter
function, commonly called boiler protection, is
crucially important when a conventional boiler provides
heat to a slab-type floor heating system.
Mixing reset control allows deep reduction in the
water temperature supplied to the distribution system
while simultaneously protecting the boiler from low
inlet water temperatures.
Boiler reset can be used in combination with mixing
reset in the same system. The concept is shown in
figure 3-4.
The boiler reset control monitors and adjusts the water
temperature in the primary loop by varying the firing
cycles of the boiler(s). The primary loop temperature is
often partially reset to prevent the boiler(s) from
operating below dew point temperature. The mixing
Figure 3-4
23
An example of the reset lines for a system using both

boiler reset and mixing reset is given in figure 3-5.
Notice that the primary loop has a minimum supply
temperature of 140 to protect the boiler from
sustained flue gas condensation. However, the mixing
reset control can reduce the temperature of the water
to the distribution system all the way down to room air
temperature.
3-3 Mixing requirements

Several types of mixing devices can be used to reduce
the water temperature supplied from the heat source to
the distribution system. These include 2-way, 3-way,
and 4-way valves as well as several forms of injection
mixing.
Controlling the water temperature supplied to the
distribution system is often not the only function of the
mixing device. In systems using a conventional boiler
as the heat source the mixing device must also prevent
low inlet water temperatures that can cause sustained
flue gas condensation within the boiler.
This second requirement applies when any type of fuelburning boilerthats not designed to operate with
sustained flue gas condensationis paired with a low
temperature distribution system. Most conventional
gas- and oil-fired boilers fall into this category. Failure

to provide this protection can result in severe corrosion
and scaling within the boiler. This not only shortens
boiler life, but it can also lead to failure of vent piping
and spillage of combustion products into the building.
Unfortunately, the need to protect the boiler inlet
temperature is often viewed as secondary to providing
the proper supply temperature to the distribution
system. This is an oversight with potentially deadly
consequences.
It is generally recognized that maintaining return
temperatures of 130 deg. F. or higher for gas-fired
boilers, and 150 deg. F. or higher for oil-fired boilers
will eliminate the damaging effects of flue-gas condensation. There are exceptions, and boiler manufacturers
should be consulted regarding the minimum operating
temperature of their equipment.
Condensing boilers, discussed in section 5, are specifically designed to withstand sustained flue gas condensation and dont need return temperature protection.
The cooler the return water temperature the higher
their efficiency. In most cases a mixing device is not
needed when a condensing boiler is used to supply
heat to a low temperature hydronic distribution system
as long as the supply temperature matches the design
criteria.
Figure 3-5
24
SECTION 3
Hydronic heat sources that dont produce flue gases

dont need to be protected against flue gas condensation. These include electric boilers, hydronic heat
pumps, thermal storage tanks, and heat exchangers.
3-4 3-way thermostatic mixing valves

One of the most common mixing devices used in low
temperature hydronic systems is a 3-way thermostatic
valve. It has two inlet portsone for hot water, the
other for coldand a single outlet port for the mixed
stream. Inside the valve is a shuttle mechanism that
determines the proportions of hot and cold water
allowed into the valve. The shuttle is moved up and
down inside the valve body by the expansion and
contraction of a wax-filled actuator. The sealed wax
assembly is heated by the mixed flow across it. If the
mixing stream is slightly too hot, the wax assembly
expands, forcing the shuttle to partially close the hot
inlet port and simultaneously open the cold inlet port.
A knob on the valve sets the actuator to the desired
outlet water temperature. As the temperatures of the
incoming hot and cold streams change, the wax-filled
actuator moves the shuttle to maintain the set outlet
water temperature.
Some 3-way mixing valves are operated by a gas-filled
bellows actuator rather than an internal wax-filled

actuator. Their sensing bulb contains a fluid that
increases in pressure when heated. This increased
pressure causes the valve to partially close the hot
water port as it opens the cold water port. A knob on
the valve is used to set the desired mixed water
temperature.
The preferred location of the temperature-sensing bulb
is downstream of the distribution loop circulator. This
ensures thorough mixing by the time the flow passes by
the sensing bulb. Improper placement of the sensing
bulb can cause erratic operation. The most accurate
temperature sensing takes place with the sensing bulb
is immersed in the flowing water. If this is not possible
the bulb should be tightly strapped to the pipe and
covered with pipe insulation.
The piping schematics in figure 3-6 show one piping
arrangement for a 3-way valve. This piping
arrangement is appropriate if (and only if) low inlet
water temperatures or reduced flow rates under low
load conditions do not adversely effect the heat source.
Reduced boiler flow rate is seldom a problem for high
mass boilers or storage tanks. However, low mass
boilers, heat pumps or electric boilers may require a
minimum flow rate whenever they operate. In such
Figure 3-6
25
cases, the heat source should be equipped with its own

pumped bypass circuit as shown in figure 3-7. With
this arrangement, flow through the heat source does
will overheat the building unless flow through the heat

emitters is interrupted when the desired room temperature is attained.
A single 3-way thermostatic mixing valve that
controls water temperature to the distribution
system does NOT protect
a conventional boiler from
flue gas condensation.
Figure 3-7 shows that a
portion of water returning
from the distribution
system goes directly back
to the boiler. When the
distribution
system
operates at low temperatures, this return water
will cause sustained flue
gas condensation in the
boiler. This must be
avoided.
Figure 3-7
not change regardless of the flow proportions through

the 3-way valve. Connections from the bypass circuit to
the remaining piping system are made using primary
secondary tees to prevent interference between the two
circulators.
3-way thermostatic valves supply the distribution
system with a fixed water temperature regardless of the
heating load. Under partial load conditions, the system
One way to protect a conventional boiler from

sustained flue gas condensation is to install a second
3-way thermostatic mixing valve as shown in figure 38. The additional valve monitors return temperature,
and if necessary, mixes hot water from the boiler with
cool return water from the return side of the primary
loop to boost water temperature entering the boiler.
Some manufacturers even build this thermostatic valve
into their boilers.
Figure 3-8
26
SECTION 3
3-5 3-way motorized mixing valves

3-way valve bodies can also be paired with precision
motorized actuators. An electronic controller regulates
such actuators. The resulting motorized valve system
can supply either fixed or variable water temperatures
to a radiant panel.
The valve body used for this type of mixing system is
often different from that used for a 3-way thermostatic
valve. It has a rotating (as opposed to linear motion)
shaft. As the shaft rotates through approximately 90
degrees of arc, the internal spool simultaneously opens
one inlet port and closes the other. This regulates the
proportions of hot and cold water entering the valve,
and thus determines the mixed outlet temperature.
The actuating motor turns the valve shaft very slowly.
Rotating the shaft through 90 degrees of arc may take
2 to 3 minutes. This slow rotation is not a problem
given the slow response of many high mass distribution
systems. It actually helps stabilize the system against
overshooting or undershooting the target water temperature.
A temperature sensor attached to the piping leading to
the distribution system measures the mixed water
temperature leaving the valve. It provides feedback to
an electronic controller that regulates the valve motor.
If the temperature is exactly where it should be, the
motor does not change the valves stem position. If the
supply temperature is slightly low, the motor very
slowly rotates the valve stem to allow more hot water to
enter the mix and vice versa. Since the sensor is

downstream of the valves outlet port, it provides
constant feedback to the controller allowing it to fine
tune water temperature.
The piping for a 3-way motorized valve is shown in
figure 3-9.
Note the use of a boiler loop with a pair of closelyspaced tees to interface to the distribution system.
This accomplishes two important functions. First, it
prevents the boiler loop circulator from interfering
within the flow through the 3-way valve. Second, it
provides another mixing point (shown as point B)
allowing hot water in the boiler loop to mix with cool
water returning from the distribution system before
entering the boiler.
The controller operating the valve motor senses both
system supply and boiler return temperature. When
necessary, the controller can partially close the hot port
of the 3-way valve to prevent the distribution system
from extracting heat faster than the boiler can produce
it. This allows a single 3-way motorized valve to control
both the supply temperature, and protect the boiler
form low inlet temperature.
Most controllers used for mixing valves are able to
provide either setpoint or outdoor reset control. The
latter cannot be accomplished (automatically) with 3way thermostatic valves. A single 3-way motorized
valve piped and controlled as described provides more
versatility than does a pair of 3-way thermostatic
valves.
Figure 3-9
27
3-6 4-way motorized mixing valves

Another mixing device that has seen extensive usage in
systems pairing a conventional boiler and low temperature distribution system is a 4-way motorized mixing
valve. These valves were designed to provide both
supply temperature control and boiler return temperature boosting. Figure 3-10 shows a cross section of a
typical 4-way valve body.
Hot water from the boiler is mixed with cool return

water from the distribution system at two locations
inside a 4-way valve. In the upper mixing chamber, the
hot and cool water streams mix to form the stream
supplied to the distribution system. At the same time,
mixing also occurs in the lower valve chamber. Here
the objective is to boost the temperature of the water
returning to the boiler. As with motorized 3-way valve
systems, a temperature sensor mounted on the supply
pipe to the distribution system provides feedback to
the valve controller. Another temperature sensor
mounted near the boiler return allows the controller to
monitor boiler inlet temperature. When necessary, the
controller would partially close the hot inlet port to the
valve to prevent the distribution system from extracting
heat faster than the boiler can produce it.
The recommended piping for a 4-way mixing valve is
shown in figure 3-11. Closely- spaced tees are used to
connect the valve to the boiler loop. This prevents flow
interference between the boiler circulator and distribution circulator. The valve draws hot water from the
boiler loop using the momentum of the flow returning
from the distribution system. The boiler loop also
ensures adequate flow through the boiler under all
conditions.
Figure 3-10
Its important to understand that merely using a 4-way

mixing valve body in a system does NOT guarantee that
the distribution system will receive the proper supply
temperature. Neither does it guarantee the boiler is
protected from low inlet water temperatures. For proper
control, the valve must react to both the supply and
boiler return temperatures. To do so, it must be
Figure 3-11
28
SECTION 3
directed by a controller that senses both supply and

return temperature. Its pointless to install a 4-way
valve body while omitting the actuator / controller it
needs for proper operation.
3-7 Injection Mixing (the concept)

Injection mixing is one of the simplest yet most
versatile methods of controlling the water temperature
in a hydronic distribution system. The concept is
shown in figure 3-12.
Hot water from the boiler loop is pushed through a pipe

called an injection riser. It enters the side port of a tee
at point (A) where it mixes with cool water returning
from the distribution system. The blending of these two
streams determines the supply temperature to the
secondary circuit. The greater the flow rate of hot water
entering the tee, the warmer the distribution system
gets and the greater its heat output.
Injection mixing is ideal for systems pairing a conventional boiler to a low temperature distribution system.
The large temperature difference (T) between the
incoming hot water and the outgoing return water
allows a high rate of heat transfer using a minimal
injection flow rate.
3-8 Injection mixing using a 2-way valve

One of the devices used for injection mixing control is
a modulating 2-way valve. Either a non-electric thermostatic actuator or motorized actuator operates the
valve. The piping concept is shown in figure 3-13.
Figure 3-12
Hot water from the boiler loop is drawn into the supply
injection riser at point B. It passes through the
injection control valve and enters the side port of a tee
at point C where it mixes with cool return water from
the distribution system. The flow rate through the
injection risers depends on the stem position of the
injection control valve, as well as the flow restrictor
valves setting. The greater the injection flow rate, the
Figure 3-13
29
Figure 3-14
higher the water temperature supplied to the distribution system and the greater its heat output. In a
typical low temperature floor heating system supplied
by a conventional boiler, the flow rate through the
injection control valve is about 15 to 20% of the flow
rate in the distribution system. This allows a relatively
small modulating injection valve to regulate a large rate
of heat transfer.
When a motorized valve operated by an electronic
controller is used, boiler protection is accomplished by
monitoring the boiler inlet temperature and partially
closing the injection valve when necessary to prevent
the distribution system from absorbing heat faster than
the boiler can produce it.
Unlike a motorized valve with a smart controller, a
single thermostatic 2-way modulating valve cannot
control both the supply temperature to the distribution
system and the inlet temperature to the boiler. To
protect the boiler, it is necessary to use another mixing
device that can monitor and adjust the boiler inlet
temperature when necessary. Figure 3-14 shows the
use of a 3 way thermostatic valve for this purpose.
When using a 2-way valve for injection mixing, be sure
the tees at points A and B in figure 3-13 are as close
as possible. Also be sure theres a vertical drop of at
least 18 inches between where the return injection
riser connects to the boiler loop and where it connects
to the distribution system. This drop forms a thermal
trap to reduce heat migration into the distribution
system when no heat input is needed.
30
It is important to select the injection control valve

based on its Cv rating, NOT the size of the injection
riser piping. Oversized injection valves will not produce
smooth heat input control under low load conditions.
Undersized injection valves will cause excessive head
loss and may not be able to deliver design load heat
transfer rates.
Before selecting the injection control valve, calculate
the necessary injection flow rate under design load
conditions using the following formula:
Formula 3-1
fi =
Q
500 x (T1 _T2)
Where:
fi = required design injection flow rate at design
load (in gpm)
Q = Heat input to distribution at design load
conditions (in Btu/hr)
T1 = water temperature being injected
(in deg. F.)
T2 = water temperature returning form
distribution system (in deg. F.)
500 = a constant for water
(use 479 for 30% glycol, 450 for 50% glycol)
Select an injection control valve with a Cv factor
approximately equal to the injection flow rate just
calculated.
SECTION 3
Once the system is operational, set the flow restrictor

valve so the injection control valve remains fully open
at design load conditions. This allows the valve to
operate over its full range of stem travel as heat input
to the distribution system varies from zero to full
design load.
3-9 Injection mixing using a variable speed pump

Another method of injection mixing uses a small wet
rotor circulator operated at variable speeds as the
injection device. The piping concept is shown in figure
3-15.
Hot water from the boiler loop is drawn into the supply
injection riser at point B. It enters the side port of a tee
at point C, where it mixes with cool water returning
from the distribution system. An equal flow rate of cool
return water flows back from the distribution system to
the primary circuit through the other riser. The flow
rate of hot water passing through the supply riser is
controlled by the speed of the injection pump. The
faster the pump runs, the faster hot water flows into
the distribution system and the greater its heat output.
In a typical low temperature floor heating system
supplied by a conventional boiler, the flow rate through
the injection pump is about 15 to 20% of the flow rate
in the secondary circuit. This allows a relatively small
injection pump to control a large rate of heat transfer.
The injection mixing control also protects the boiler by

monitoring the inlet temperature and reducing the
speed of the injection pump when necessary to prevent
the distribution system from absorbing heat faster than
the boiler can produce it.
When using variable speed injection mixing, be sure
the tees at points A and B in figure 3-15 are as close
together as possible. Also be sure there is a vertical
drop of at least 18 inches between the (return)
injection riser connection to the primary circuit and its
connection to the secondary circuit. This drop forms a
thermal trap to reduce heat migration into the distribution system when no heat input is needed.
In a properly balanced system, the injection pump
should run at full speed when the system is operating
at design load conditions. Achieving this balance
requires adjustment of the balancing valve located in
the return injection riser. There are several ways to set
this valve. One of the easier ways is to use a valve that
has built-in measuring capability. Many circuit-setter
type valves are available for this purpose.
To properly set the circuit setter valve, its necessary to
calculate the required injection flow rate under design
load conditions using formula 3-1. With the injection
pump running at full speed, partially close the circuit
setter valve until it indicates a flow equal to the value
calculated.
Figure 3-15
31
SECTION
4
R ADIANT F LOOR H EATING M ETHODS
The availability of modern materials such as Kitec pipe has allowed the market for hydronic radiant floor heating
to increase approximately ten fold over the last decade. Installation methods have been developed for many
types of floor constructions in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Each year these installation
techniques allow thousands of buildings to be equipped with what many consider to be the ultimate comfort
heating system.
4-1 What is radiant heating?

Before discussing the installation details of radiant floor heating, its important to have a clear understanding of
how radiant heating works as well as how it differs from other forms of heating.
Nature has three means of transferring heat from objects at a given temperature to objects at lower temperatures.
Conduction is how heat moves through solid materials, or from one solid material to another when the two are in
contact. If you stand barefooted on a cool basement floor slab, heat transfers from your feet to the floor by
conduction.
Convection is how heat moves between a solid surface and a fluid. The fluid may be either a liquid or a gas. Hot
water flowing through a pipe transfers heat to the inside wall of the pipe by convection. Likewise, air flowing
across the heat exchanger inside a furnace absorbs heat from the hot metal surfaces.
Radiant heat transfer occurs when infrared light leaves the surface of an object and travels to the surface(s) of
other cooler objects. Unlike conduction and convection, radiant heat transfer does not require a fluid or solid
material between the two objects transferring heating. It only requires a space between the two objects. Solar
energy travels approximately 93 million miles from the sun to the earth, through the emptiness of space, solely
as radiant energy. The radiant energy only becomes sensible heat when absorbed by a surface.
33
The radiant energy emitted by the relatively low

temperature heat emitters used in hydronic heating is
technically described as infrared electromagnetic
radiation. Its simply light that the human eye cant
see. However, other than the fact that its invisible,
infrared light behaves just like visible light. It travels in
straight lines at the speed of light (186,000 miles per
second), and can be partially reflected by polished
metallic surfaces. Unlike warm air, radiant energy
travels equally well in any direction. Up, down or
sideways, direction simply doesnt matter. This characteristic allows a heated ceiling to deliver radiant heat
to the room below.
The radiant energy emitted by a warm floor, wall or
ceiling is a completely natural phenomenon thats
literally as old as the universe itself. A surface warmed
by sunlight gives off infrared radiation just like one
warmed by embedded tubing. The latter simply uses a
different heat source and transport system to deliver
heat to the surface. Most low temperature radiant
panels emit less than 1/10 the radiant flux of bright
sunlight, and all of it is infrared as opposed to ultraviolet light. Even the human body gives off infrared
radiation to cooler surrounding surfaces.
4-2 The Benefits of Hydronic Radiant Floor

Heating
Radiant floor heating is considered by many as the
ultimate form of comfort heating. In addition to the
advantages of hydronic heating in general, warm floors
provide benefits that virtually no other system can
match. Any one of these benefits can become the hot
button that convinces a discriminating customer to
install a hydronic radiant floor heating system. Heres a
summary of these key benefits.
Unsurpassed thermal comfort:
Buildings equipped with radiant flooring have interior
environments that are highly favorable to human
thermal comfort. Unlike many systems that directly
heat the air, radiant floor heating gently warms the
surfaces of objects in the room as well as the air itself.
The warm surfaces significantly reduce the rate of heat
loss from the occupants, allowing most to feel
comfortable at room temperatures 3 to 5 deg. F. lower
than with other methods of heating.
The air temperature at floor level is slightly higher than
the average room temperature. This significantly
reduces the rate of heat loss from the feet and legs.
Several feet above the floor, the air temperature begins
to decrease. Most people tend to feel more alert with
slightly lower air temperatures at head level. The lowest
air temperatures in the room typically occur just below
the ceiling. The result is reduced heat loss through the
34
ceiling insulation and hence lower heating costs.

A system thats out of sight:
Most people realize that just about every occupied
building in North America needs a heating system.
However, few enjoy looking at the heat emitters that are
a necessary part of that system. The fact that such heat
emitters often restrict furniture placement further adds
to their invasiveness.
With hydronic radiant floor heating, the floor surface is
the heat emitter. Theres no need to compromise the
aesthetics of the space or restrict furniture placement.
Its a system that gives your clients a building interior
thats as thermally luxurious as it is aesthetically
elegant.
A quiet system:
One of the strengths of hydronic heating is its ability to
deliver heat without delivering noise. A properly
designed radiant floor heating system is the epitome of
silence. The gas or oil burner on the boiler is often the
only component that makes any detectable noise, and
its usually located in the mechanical room away from
the occupied spaces.
A clean system:
One of the biggest complaints associated with forced
air heating is its tendency to distribute dust, odors and
germs throughout a house. In contrast to whole house
air movement, hydronic flooring heating creates very
gentle (imperceptible) room air circulation. Many
people who suffer from allergies have found that
radiant floor heating doesnt aggravate the symptoms
the way a forced air system often does.
A durable system:
A slab type floor heating system is nearly as indestructible as the slab itself. Its the ideal way to heat garage
facilities, industrial buildings, recreation rooms or
other buildings with high interior traffic.
A system that reduces fuel usage:
Hydronic floor heating systems have a proven record of
reduced energy usage relative to other forms of
heating, both in residential and commercial / industrial
buildings. The savings result from several factors such
as the ability to sustain comfort at lower indoor air
temperatures, reduced air temperature stratification,
non-pressurization of rooms (which leads to higher
rates of air leakage), and the ability to operate with
lower water temperatures.
Savings vary from one building to the next. Although
some projects have shown savings in excess of 50%, a
more conservative estimate is 10 to 20% in savings.
As energy costs continue to escalate, the ability to
SECTION 4
reduce fuel consumption will play an increasingly

important role in how heating systems are selected.
Hydronic radiant floor heating can keep energy costs to
a minimum while also delivering exceptional comfort.
Its truly the benchmark system against which all other
methods of heating will be compared.
4-3 The History of Hydronic Radiant Floor Heating

The origins of hydronic radiant floor heating date back
to the early 1900s when systems were installed using
wrought iron and steel piping. During the 1940s and
50s, many radiant floor heating systems were installed
by embedding copper tubing in concrete slabs.
Although the installations were somewhat crude in
comparison to today, these early systems quickly
proved they could deliver unsurpassed comfort.
Some of these early systems are still in operation.
However, others have long since been abandoned due
to fatigue or corrosion of the embedded metal tubing.
Although the comfort they delivered was exceptional,
too many of the early systems using embedded copper,
steel or iron pipe eventually developed leaks. Consumer
confidence in the thought that a hydronic floor heating
system could provide both comfort as well as a long,
trouble-free service life steadily declined. The debut of
central air conditioning in the late 50s, along with
strong promotion of forced air (ducted) systems as a
preferred means of delivering both heating and
cooling all but eliminated the use of hydronic floor
heating. Or so it seemed.
Ironically, as the hydronic floor heating market was
nearing extinction in North America, a new tubing
material was being developed in Western Europe. That
material was cross-linked polyethylene (or PEX). It

would soon prove to be the single biggest factor underlying the reemergence of hydronic floor heating in
North America.
Europeans had amassed considerable experience with
PEX and PEX-AL-PEX tubing in floor heating applications by the time these products made their first
appearances on the North American market in the early
1980s. Slowly but surely these modern piping
materials demonstrated they could deliver comfort,
easy installation and long life. The restas they say
is history.
Today consumers are learning about new methods for
installation of hydronic floor heating as never before.
They are seeking qualified professional installers and
quality products. Kitec pipe and WarmRite accessories
let you give these discriminating consumers exactly
what theyre looking for. Read on to see all the different
ways these systems can be installed.
4-4 Slab on Grade Systems

As the past has demonstrated, concrete slab-on-grade
floors are ideal for hydronic floor heating. The number
of buildings with this type of floor construction is huge.
It includes a significant percentage of single family
houses as well as a large percentage of commercial
buildings. Some of the best floor heating opportunities
are in garage facilities such as automotive service
centers, town highway garages, fire stations and
aircraft hangers. These buildings almost always have
uncovered concrete floors, and benefit tremendously
from the warm, dry floors that hydronic floor heating
can provide.
finished flooring
adhesive
concrete slab
pipe
wire mesh
insulation
vapor barrier
foundation
compacted fill
CONCRETE SLAB ON GRADE with

under slab insulation
35
finished flooring
adhesive
max. 2" from surface
pipe
wire mesh
"chair"
concrete slab
vapor barrier
foundation
compacted fill
CONCRETE SLAB ON GRADE with

no under slab insulation
Installation Procedure:
Figure 4-1 shows a cut-away view of a modern heated
slab-on-grade floor.
The installation of a heated floor slab begins by

verifying the subgrade has been properly leveled and
compacted. Although the heating system installer is
probably not responsible for this aspect of
Figure 4-1
36
SECTION 4
construction, failing to check for proper subgrade

preparation could eventually compromise the
embedded tubing circuits. It could also leave the
installer having to defend why the floor heating system
isnt at least partly responsible for cracks in the slab or
other defects.
After the subgrade has been prepared, the soil vapor
barrier and underslab insulation should be installed.
Some building specifications may not call for an
underslab vapor barrier. However, its ability to resist
moisture migration from the underlying soils can be
indispensable, especially when wood products are used
as the finish flooring.
Heat loss from the edge and underside of a heated slab
on grade can be substantial, especially in areas with
high water tables or where the slab rests on bedrock.
Edge and underslab insulation are essential in
reducing these losses. They are a necessary part of any
quality floor heating system. Not taking steps to
mitigate such heat loss is like leaving the windows
open throughout the winter.
Realistically theres only one opportunity to install
underslab insulationbefore the slab is poured.
Discovering high downward heat loss after the system
is in operation is a situation thats virtually impossible
to correct. It makes little sense to attempt the installation of a high quality heating system while omitting
crucial and relatively low cost details. Do it right the
first time.
edge- and underside insulation of greater

R-value.
The thermal resistance (R-value) of the floor
covering(s): high thermal resistance coverings
justify edge- and underside insulation of
greater R-value.
The shape of the slab: slabs with high ratios of
edge length to floor area justify edge- and
underside insulation of greater R-value.
In most buildings the underslab insulation should have
a minimum R-value of 5. In colder climates, it is often
recommended that the outer 4 feet of the slab (referred
to as the outer band) have R-10 underside
insulation. The insulation is generally omitted under
structural bearing points such as beneath interior
columns or bearing walls.
The edge of the slab is especially vulnerable to heat
loss. It should be insulated to a minimum of R-5 in
mild climates and R-10 in colder climates.
The next step on most installations is to locate and
temporarily mount the manifold station(s). If one or
more of the manifold stations will be located within a
stud cavity, its imperative to make accurate measurements when fixing the manifolds location.
The manifolds can be temporarily bracketed to a
plywood panel supported on wooden or steel stakes
driven into the subgrade (as shown in figure 4-2)
The most commonly used material for slab edge and

underside insulation is extruded polystyrene. Its sold
in 2 by 8 foot and 4 by 8 foot sheets in several thicknesses. Its also available in several densities to handle
different floor loading. Extruded polystyrene panels are
highly resistant to moisture absorption, and have a
well-established record in ground contact insulation
applications.
New insulating materials are developed to promote the
use of under slab insulation. One of them is called
radiant barrier foil. It is a composite of plastic and
aluminum layers. The concrete Barrier Foils consists of
an aluminum layer sandwiched between two layers of
bubble insulation. The insulating effect of this
new product is comparable with the rigid foam
products, but its handling and resistance to
mechanical damage is far superior.
The amount of underside insulation depends on several
factors. Among them are:
The severity of the climate: colder climates
justify edge- and underside insulation of
greater R-value.
The cost of energy: higher energy costs justify
Figure 4-2
37
Once the insulation is in place, the steel reinforcement

for the slab is installed. Most concrete slab on grade
floors use welded wire fabric (WWF) for reinforcement
and crack control. WWF comes in sheets or rolls. It
should be placed directly on top of the underslab
insulation. Edges should be overlapped approximately
6 and tied together.
Tubing installation takes place one circuit at a time.
Begin by securing one end of the circuit to the supply
manifold. Roll out the coil like rolling a tire following
the layout pattern. The composite pipe, because of the
metal content, allows laying the pipe roughly without
tying down immediately. This allows it to run the full
loop and get the end out to the manifold. Make sure
the end reaches the manifold and then tie the piping
to the wire mesh. The main difference to laying PEX
tubing is that the pipe stays in place and does not want
to go back to the coil shape.
This is why there is no need to use an uncoiler. If the
uncoiler is available, it is also possible to lay the pipe
using it. In this case place the tubing coil on an
uncoiler and pull the tubing from the coil as needed.
Keep plenty of slack ahead of you as the tubing is
fastened in place.
Kitec tubing should be secured to the WWF using
either twisted wire ties or nylon pull ties. The tubing
should be tied to the WWF reinforcing every 60 to 72
on straight runs, and two ties at the bend on each side.
When all circuits have been installed, prepare the
manifold(s) for pressure testing. Install a pressure
gauge in one end of either the supply or return
manifold and a schrader air valve in the other end. Plug
the unused manifold ends.
Use an air compressor to increase the pressure in the
circuits to about 100 psi. Use a soap bubble solution
to check for leaks at the manifold connections. Leave
the circuits pressurized for at least 24 hours. If the air
pressure drops double check all manifold connections
for possible leaks before inspecting the tubing. Aside
from the possibility of extreme damage from other
construction activity, its very unlikely that the tubing is
the source of the air leak. Still, a pressure test is
mandatory on any radiant tubing installation.
If the WWF has to be positioned in the slab, be sure the
concrete placement crew knows to lift the tubing and
WWF prior to starting the pour. If the WWF has to be
positioned within the slab, it has to be lifted or
chaired up to the final position before the concrete
is poured. The WWF and attached tubing should be
lifted up so the pipe center is 2 below the slab
surface. This allows the slab to respond faster when
warm water circulates through the tubing.
From the heat output point of view, the position of the
38
piping in the slab is not so critical if full slab insulation

is used. Appropriate thermal break will direct the heat
flow towards the surface. If insulation is not used the
pipe position is critical and in this case the piping has
to be lifted to 2 below the surface.
As long as the pipe is kept 2 below the surface saw
cut control joints will not affect the pipe. If deeper than
3/4 saw cuts are planned the pipe position has to be
adjusted accordingly. Anywhere where full cut control
joints are used (slabs are separated) a protective sleeve
has to be used on the pipe passing through. The sleeve
has to be 12 long centered on the joint and approximately 1 diameter. The sleeve reduces stress on the
tubing should the slab move slightly at the control
joint.
4-5 Thin Slab Systems

There are several methods of installing hydronic
radiant heating over a conventional wood-framed floor.
One of the most common is called a thin slab system.
The concept is shown in figure 4-3.
Thin slabs consist of either a specially formulated
concrete or poured gypsum underlayment. Both types
of slabs have installation requirements that must be
carefully coordinated with the building design process.
One requirement that must be accommodated is that
thin-slabs typically add 1.25 to 1.5 inches to the floor
height. This requires adjustments in the rough opening
heights of windows and doors as well as the height of
door thresholds. It will also affect the riser heights on
stairs.
Another issue that must be addressed is the added
weight of the thin-slab. Poured gypsum thin-slabs
typically add 13 to 15 pounds per square foot to the
dead loading of a floor structure. Standard weight
concrete thin slabs add about 18 pounds per square
foot (at 1.5 thickness). Never assume the proposed
floor structure can simply support the added weight of
either type of thin-slab. Have a competent designer or
structural engineer verify what, if any, changes are
necessary to support the added load.
The additional floor thickness and weight are easily
managed if planned into the building as it is designed.
However they can present obstacles in retrofit situations.
Poured Gypsum Thin-slab systems
Poured gypsum underlayments have been used for
many years for floor leveling as well as to enhance the
acoustic and fire resistance properties of wood-framed
floors. They also function well as the slab material for
thin-slab floor heating systems. In most cases, the slab
is installed by a subcontractor trained and equipped to
SECTION 4
Figure 4-3
finished flooring
adhesive
gypsum slab
pipe
sealant
subfloor
floor
joist
under side insulation
39
Figure 4-3A
finished flooring
adhesive
concrete slab
pipe
polyethylene sheet
subfloor
floor
joist
underside insulation
THIN SLAB ON WOOD FRAMED FLOOR

concrete slab
40
SECTION 4
mix and place the materials.

Installation Procedure
Installation begins by stapling the tubing to the
subfloor. A pneumatic stapler with a special
attachment allows the staples to be quickly placed
without damage to the tubing. Its the preferred
attachment method for all but very small thin-slab
areas.
Once all tubing circuits have been installed they
should be pressure tested as described earlier.
Next the floor is sprayed with a combination
sealant/bond enhancement coating. This minimizes
water absorption into the subfloor as well as strengthening the bond between the slab and subfloor.
The poured gypsum underlayment consists of gypsum
cement, masonry sand, admixtures and water. The
product is prepared is a special mixer usually placed
outside the building, and is then pumped in through a
hose. As the product is poured, it self-levels with
minimum floating.
Some installers prefer to install the gypsum slab in two
layers (or lifts). This minimizes any differential
shrinkage in the slab, resulting is a very flat finish
surface.
Figure 4-4
Unlike with gypsum underlayments, its crucial to

prevent the bottom of the slab from bonding to either
the subfloor or any wall framing it may contact. The
goal is to allow the wood floor deck and concrete thinslab to move independently of each other during curing
or seasonal moisture changes. This reduces tensile
stresses that can crack the slab.
When poured gypsum underlayment cures, it

resembles plaster and is almost as hard as standard
concrete. However, unlike concrete it is NOT intended
to serve as a permanent wearing surface.
Its also important to divide large floor areas into a grid

of smaller areas using plastic control joint strips. As
the concrete cures, cracks will develop directly above
these strips. These controlled cracks preempt
random cracking of the slab.
With the proper preparation, a poured gypsum slab can

be covered with almost any finish flooring including
carpet, sheet vinyl, ceramic tile and glue-down wood
flooring. Always follow the gypsum underlayment
manufacturers procedures to verify that the slab is
adequately cured that and the surface is properly
prepared before installing finish flooring.
The slab should be cured for a minimum of 3 weeks

prior to being heated. This allows time for the concrete
to develop strength before being exposed to thermal
stresses. To drive off any residual moisture, the slab
should also be operated (heated) for several days prior
to installation of the finish floor.
Poured gypsum slabs are water-resistant not waterproof. The slab will eventually soften if exposed to
water for prolonged periods. They should not be
installed under conditions where rain or other sources
of moisture can accumulate. They should also not be
installed in areas that are likely to experience flooding.
Concrete Thin-Slab Systems
A specially formulated concrete mix can also be used
to create a heated thin-slab floor. The mix proportions
are given in figure 4-4
With either type of thin-slab its imperative to install

underside insulation. When the space below the heated
floor is also heated, use a minimum of R-11 underside
insulation. If the space below the floor is partially
heated, install a minimum of R-19 insulation. If the
space below the heated floor is an unheated crawl
space, install a minimum of R-30 underside insulation.
Although these suggested underside R-values are
conservative, the installer should verify they meet or
exceed local energy code requirements.
The installation of a concrete thin-slab differs considerably from that of a poured gypsum slab. Concrete is
not self-leveling. It must be screeded flat when placed.
To simplify screeding, the concrete thin-slab is best
poured before walls are constructed.
41
The concept of thin slab installation can be used

retrofitting radiant floor heating to existing concrete
surfaces. A thin over pour or topping pour is created on
the existing surface. Figure 4-4a shows the layers of
the installation.
Ideally the new layer is separated with a thin layer of
insulation. This will drive the heat upwards where we
need it and provide quick reaction time. Generally
to 1 rigid foam is used. Using a vapor barrier ensures

that no moisture gets into the heated layer. A new type
of insulation is also now available. Two layers of
bubble insulation with aluminum foil in between has
a comparable insulating effect to the rigid foam. It also
acts as a vapor barrier. The most difficult part when
laying pipe on existing concrete is how to fasten the
pipe. Individual clips can be used, though it is very
Figure 4-4a
finished flooring
adhesive
concrete slab
pipe
insulation
existing concrete
TOPPING POUR ON CONCRETE FLOOR
42
SECTION 4
time and labor consuming. Special plastic staples or

clips can be used when 1 foam is used as insulation.
Another effective way is to use pipe track, sometimes
called rail fix, to hold the pipe in place. This 6.5 feet
long plastic channel is mounted to the floor at 3 points.
The pipe clips into the side cutouts perpendicular to
the track.
1-1 thickness of smooth regular concrete is
poured to cover the pipe and create a very effective
thermal mass. There are no structural or strength
issuesthe original slab takes care of that. The doors
have to be adjusted accordingly to accommodate the
level increase.
4-6 Tube & Plate Systems

A concrete or gypsum slab acts as a thermal wick to
help spread the heat releases from the embedded
tubing across the floor surface. However, there are
situations where slab installation is not an option. In

such cases the heat dispersion can be provided by
highly conductive aluminum plates.
Kitec PEX-AL-PEX pipe is ideal for tube and plate
applications. Its rate of thermal expansion is very close
to that of the aluminum heat dispersion plates. This
greatly reduces the potential for expansion sounds as
the system warms and cools.
Figure 4-5 shows the general concept of a tube and
plate system. Notice how the aluminum plates are
shaped to fit the perimeter of the tubing. Heat transferred from the tubing to the trough portion of the plate
conducts out along the wings of the plate. Because
aluminum is an excellent heat conductor, these
relatively thin plates can disperse across the floor
almost as well as a slab yet at a tiny fraction of the
weight and only about 1/2 the added floor height of a
thin-slab. They are a versatile component both for floor
heating systems as well as radiant walls and ceilings.
The heat is conducted to the plate from the pipe

and spreads along the flat "wings". The large contact
surface evenly conducts the heat to the floor.
plates used in joist space heating system

(below subfloor)
finished flooring
subfloor
pipe
heat transfer plate
plates used with sleeper system

(above subfloor)
heat transfer plate
pipe
finished flooring
spacer (sleeper)
subfloor
THE CONCEPT OF TUBE & PLATE SYSTEMS

Figure 4-5
43
Above Floor Tube & Plate Systems

Figure 4-6 shows the installation of an above floor
tube and plate system.
Here the tubing and plates are located on the top side
of the floor deck. The tubing can be run in virtually any
direction. The system can be adapted to several types
of finish flooring, and is particularly well suited for
nailed down wood floor installations.
Figure 4-6
finished flooring
spacer
(sleeper)
pipe
heat transfer plate
subfloor
floor
joist
SLEEPER SYSTEM ON WOOD FRAMED FLOOR

above floor tube and plate
44
SECTION 4
Installation Procedure:
Begin by fastening 5/8 - 3/4 plywood or oriented
strand board (OSB) sleepers to the floor. The
sleepers are placed to create 3/4 wide grooves into
which the tubing and trough portion of the plates are
recessed. To minimize any squeaks, the sleepers
finished flooring
should be glued as well as nailed (or screwed) to the

subflooring.
Grooves for the return bends, as well as other curved
tubing paths can be formed by routering out the 3/4
plywood or OSB. Another way is to place triangular
shaped spacers to support the secondary floor layer at
spacer
(sleeper)
pipe
subfloor
floor
joist
SLEEPER SYSTEM ON WOOD FRAMED FLOOR

above floor tube
45
curved areas.
The plates are set into the grooves with ends spaced
about 1 apart. Pull each plate against one edge of the
sleeper and tack it in place with two or three light
gauge staples on the same side (and only on this side).
This allows the plate to expand as the tubing is pushed
into it as well as when the plate heats and cools.
limited amount of heat output can be provided. To

overcome this limitation, some manufacturers produce
pre-routed plywood sheets with aluminum layer
attached to it to improve sideways transfer.
Below floor tube & plate systems
Then tubing is laid out and pushed into the grooves in

the plates. Stepping on the tube as it aligns with the
grooves ensures it is pushed all the way into the groove.
Its also possible to fasten the tubing and aluminum

heat dispersion plates against the bottom of the
subfloor. Below floor tube and plate systems work well
when raising the floor level is not an option. The
concept is shown in figure 4-7.
It is NOT necessary to install silicone caulking into the

troughs of the plates when installing Kitec PEX-AL-PEX
pipe.
The plate cradles the tubing against the subfloor as

well as disperses the heat across the floor to avoid
objectionable variations in floor surface temperatures.
Above floor tube and plate systems are ideal when

nailed-down wood flooring will be installed. The
flooring can be placed directly over the tube and plates
without needing an additional cover sheet. The flooring
should be installed with its long dimension perpendicular to the tubing. Nails can be driven through the
heat transfer plates, through the sleepers and into the
subfloor. Be careful not to drive nails through the
tubing on return bends or other areas when the tubing
is not visible as the flooring is laid. If the tubing needs
to run parallel to the flooring at times, it is best to drill
a shallow hole through the subfloor and route the
tubing through the floor framing where it is protected
against nail punctures. The tubing can also be
plunged beneath the subfloor and then routed up
through the bottom plate of a partition to connect to
the manifolds.
The ideal installation conditions for this system would

be completely unobstructed floor joist cavities.
However this is often not what the installer has to deal
with. In some cases, plumbing, electrical, ducting or
other utilities may already be routed through the joist
cavities. This could make access to the underside of
the subfloor difficult or even impossible. Always
inspect the underside of the floor deck before
committing to a below floor tube & plate installation
method.
For other types of flooring, it is necessary to install a

thin 1/4 or 3/8 cover sheet over the tube and plates
to serve as a smooth stable substrate. Plywood is often
used as the cover sheet under vinyl flooring or carpet.
Cement board has also been used under ceramic tile.
All tubing circuits should be pressure tested prior to
installing the cover sheet. The tubing should remain
pressurized as the cover sheet is installed. Be careful
not to drive fasteners through the tubing when securing
the cover sheet.
The same concept of the sleeper system can be used
in low heat load installations, but without the heat
transfer platesmostly for floor warming systems.
The wood structure is a poor conductor of heat so there
is limited heat transfer sideways. The relatively thin
layer directly above the pipe will allow a lot more heat
through than sideways. This results in large local
temperature differences depending on the position of
the pipe. This effect limits the amount of heat that can
be transferred without creating high temperature
lines on the floor surface.
The spacing used should be 6-8 and again only a
46
SECTION 4
Figure 4-7
heat transfer plate

pipe
finished flooring
subfloor
floor
joist
JOIST SPACE HEATING

below floor tube and plate
47
With a below floor installation, the tubing is pulled into

one joist cavity at a time and fastened up along with
the heat dispersion plates. The suggested installation
sequence is depicted in figure 4-8.
The holes in the floor framing must be large enough for
the tubing to be easily pulled through.
As with thin-slab systems, its imperative to install
underside insulation. When the space below the heated
THREADING pipe
IN
floor is also heated, use a minimum of R-11 underside

insulation. If the space below the floor is partially
heated, install a minimum of R-19 insulation. If the
space below the heated floor is an unheated crawl
space, install a minimum of R-30 underside insulation.
Although these suggested underside R-values are
conservative, the installer should verify they meet or
exceed local energy code requirements.
for joist space heating systems
Preparation:
Make a sketch of the floor surface and joists through which piping will be threaded and installed. Identify the
manifold location and route to the manifold for each pipe loop.
Measure the length of the floor joist and multiply the joist length by two. This defines the footage of pipe per
joist cavity when floor joists are installed on 10" through 18" centers. When floor joists are on 10" through 18"
centers, two runs of pipe are installed in each joist space. Three runs of pipe are installed in a joist space
when joists are spaced greater than 18" apart.
Calculate the number of joist spaces you can cover with the pipe coil length you are using. For example, if the
joist is installed on 18" centers and it is 20 feet long, multiply 20 x 2 to get 40 feet of pipe per cavity.
Assuming a 300 foot coil length, 7 joists cavities could be covered. BUT, remember that you need to allow for
the length of pipe running from the manifold and back again. In this example and depending on the manifold
location perhaps only 6 cavities can be filled.
Pre-drill holes in the floor joists through which pipes will run. Two 1/2" pipes require a 1-1/2" diameter hole,
while four 1/2" pipes require a 2" diameter hole. Holes should always be straight and aligned. Holes must be
drilled in the center of the floor joist and at least one foot away from the end of the joist support point.
This sketch shows the completed installation

from below. The following figures lead us
through a step by step process.
Figure 4-8
48
SECTION 4
Pull pipe from the uncoiler and thread it

through the pipe holes making a loop in each
bay. The loops neednt be too long, leave just
enough hanging from the joist that allows
you to handle the pipe. Leave the pipe end
hanging free in the last bay.
Return to the first bay. Pull

enough pipe from the
uncoiler to create a large
loop.
Move the slack from the first bay over to the

second bay, then over to the third, fourth, etc.,
until the last bay has enough pipe to run back to
the manifold and complete the pipe loop inside
the bay itself.
Keep moving the slack!
49
Use the pipe from the last bay and run it

back to the manifold in the same joist holes
as the loops. If the slack in the last bay is
not sufficient to run back to the manifold,
feed more pipe from the uncoiler through the
bays until the desired length is achieved.
Attach the pipe to the manifold.
Ideally, you should leave enough pipe

hanging from the last bay to form the first
finished section of the floor. Lift the pipe
loop up into the joist space and begin
fastening the pipe to the subfloor. Always
start fastening the pipe on the side of the
loop that runs back to the manifold. If more
pipe is needed to complete the loop, it can
be fed from the neighboring joist space.
The slack in the last bay has disappeared and the pipe is now attached
to the subfloor. Move back to the first
bay and pull more pipe from the
uncoiler until a large amount of slack
exists. Transfer this slack through
adjacent bays until it arrives in the
second to last bay. Lift the slack up
and fasten the pipe in this joist space
as before. Continue this process until
all joist spaces are complete.
The installation is nearly

complete! Once all bays are
finished, measure the distance
from the first bay to the manifold.
Cut the correct length of pipe
from the uncoiler making certain
to leave enough pipe to connect
to the manifold.
This process involves a good deal of pipe threading, but it eliminates pipe kinks and reduces stress on the
pipe. Two people can work very effectively together with this installation method - one feeding pipe while the
other fastens pipe in the joist space.
50
SECTION 4
For joists installed on greater than 18" centers, three runs of pipe are required in each joist space. The pipe
handling and installation technique is similar in concept to that described in steps 1 through 8. Create pipe
slack and transfer the slack to adjacent bays as before. Note in the following sketch however, that pipe enters
the bay at one end of the joist and exists at the opposite end in order to accommodate three runs of pipe.
51
4-7 Suspended tube systems

The ability of Kitec PEX-AL-PEX piping to handle
relatively high water temperatures makes it possible to
install a suspended tube system as depicted in
figure 4-9.
The tubing is placed within the air cavity between the
floor joists. The tubing gives off direct radiant energy to
the surfaces within the joist cavity. The outside of the
tubing also gives off heat to the surrounding air, establishing a gentle convective circulation within the joist
cavities. The warm air flows across the underside of the
subfloor transferring more heat to it.
Suspended tube systems have some unique benefits.
They dont require heat dispersion plates and thus
reduce installation cost. They operate at high water
temperatures under design load conditions and thus
can often be piped directly to a boiler without needing
a mixing valve. When the tubing is suspended below
the subfloor, it is not subject to puncture from the nail
points associated with installation of hardwood

flooring.
Kitec PEX-AL-PEX piping is ideal for suspended tube
systems. Its aluminum core provides the structure that
prevents the tubing from sagging between supports
when operated with high water temperatures.
As with all floor heating systems, its imperative to
install underside insulation.
This must be a reflective insulation system meaning
that there is a shining reflective metal surface facing
the pipe. There has to be an air gap between the pipe
and the reflective layer minimum 2 or more.
Foil faced batting insulation or the aforementioned
bubble insulation can be used. The bubble
insulation is different from the one used with concrete.
The aluminum layer is exposed on one side minimum
and is always facing the piping. The insulating layer
can be one or two layers of plastic bubble depending
on the amount of insulation required.
Figure 4-9
52
SECTION 4
When the space below the heated floor is also heated,

use a minimum of R-11 underside insulation. If the
space below the floor is partially heated, install a
minimum of R-19 insulation. If the space below the
heated floor is an unheated crawl space, install a
minimum of R-30 underside insulation. Although these
suggested underside R-values are conservative, the
installer should verify they meet or exceed local energy
code requirements.
Threading the pipe into the joist space is identical to
the method explained under the section discussing
joist space heating with heat transfer plates.
The fastening of the pipe is different in this case. There
are three main ways to secure the pipe; stapling to the
underside of the subfloor; using a pipe hanger to
suspend the pipe in the joist cavity; or use a nail clip
to nail the pipe directly to the side of the joist.
Stapling to the floor is very simple, however the pipe is
close to the surface and can be punctured easily from
above. The other two overcome this problem, but an
extra item pipe hanger or nail clip is used.

In high heat load installations, the direct stapling to
the underside can result in high and low temperature
lines on the floor.
The fastest and easiest to install is the nail clip
method. They all have their advantages and
disadvantages.
Its possible to staple Kitec pipe directly against the
underside of the subflooring without using heat
dispersion plates. As discussed above this approach is
only suggested for low heating load situations such as
rooms that have minimal if any exterior exposure.
Without either a slab or aluminum heat dispersion
plates, the floors ability to spread the heat laterally
away form the tubing is more limited. Still, when the
design heat load of the space doesnt exceed 15
Btu/hr/sqft, this installation method can deliver
adequate heat output at reasonable water
temperatures.
finished flooring
subfloor
pipe
reflective layer
min. 2" air gap
floor
joist
JOIST SPACE HEATING

below floor tube stapled
finished flooring
subfloor
pipe in pipe hanger
pipe hanger
reflective layer
min. 2" air gap
floor
joist
JOIST SPACE HEATING

below floor tube suspended
53
finished flooring
subfloor
pipe in pipe hanger
pipe hanger
reflective layer
min. 2" air gap
floor
joist
underside insulation stapled
inside the joist cavity
Reflective foil insulation (aluminum-bubble)

JOIST SPACE HEATING
finished flooring
subfloor
pipe in pipe hanger
pipe hanger
floor
joist
reflective layer
under side insulation stapled

to the bottom of the joists
Reflective foil insulation (aluminum-bubble)

JOIST SPACE HEATING
finished flooring
subfloor
1"- 2" distance from floor
reflective layer
pipe mounted with nail clip
floor
joist
JOIST SPACE HEATING

below floor tube clipped to joist
54
min. 2" air gap
SECTION 4
In this chapter, we pointed out the effects of the floor

construction method on the radiant floor heating
system. As a summary, it is probably fair to say that
piping can be fitted into any floor surface and there are
numerous variations to fit the project circumstances. It
should also be clear that there are important differences between these methods and some are better
suited than the other for effective heat transfer.
The following image (figure 4-10) illustrates the heat

transfer process during joist space installation using
heat transfer plates or direct staple up.
The image speaks for itself and gives very good reasons
to consider using the heat transfer plates wherever it is
possible.
Comparison of floor surface temperatures with and without heat transfer plates for 1/2" tubing
8" o.c., operated at 100F and 140F water temperatures
Figure 4-10
55

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Manual of

T HE IPEX M ANUAL OF M ODERN H YDRONICS

Consider the Possibilities! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Heat Source Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Water Temperature Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Radiant Floor Heating Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Radiant Walls and Ceilings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Manifold Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Pre-Assembled Control Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

Distribution systems for Hydronic Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

Designing Multiple-Load Hydronic Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99

Radiant Pipe and Tubing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109

Hydronic Snow and Ice Melting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115

IPEX Radiant Design Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131

A New Era for Hydronics

T HE IPEX M ANUAL OF M ODERN H YDRONICS

The days when hydronic systems consisted solely of

One System that Does It All

Radiant heating of floors, walls and ceilings

Many projects may have several of these loads, each

C ONSIDER THE P OSSIBILITIES

and easily mounted unit. All thats left to do is to pipe

From Simple to Sophisticated

A Slightly Larger Requirement

Although the installer could purchase components

A typical home often has a design heating load greater

T HE IPEX M ANUAL OF M ODERN H YDRONICS

supplies space heating through a radiant floor

Multiple Water Temperatures...No Problem

hydronics can really come through. It is a situation

C ONSIDER THE P OSSIBILITIES

pair of boilers controlled by a staging control. This

The power plant for this sophisticated system is a

2-1 Conventional Boilers

T HE IPEX M ANUAL OF M ODERN H YDRONICS

distribution system that is designed to operate at

adjust boiler return temperature by limiting the rate of

2-2 Condensing Boilers

Modern mixing devices can automatically monitor and

Systems with condensing boilers typically do NOT use

system. This helps offset a portion of the boilers higher

2-3 Tank-type Water Heaters

H EAT S OURCE O PTIONS

The preferred approach to such dual use systems is

T HE IPEX M ANUAL OF M ODERN H YDRONICS

2-4 Geothermal Heat Pumps

from short cycling under low load conditions.

Geothermal heat pumps are one of the newest heat

As with condensing boilers, geothermal heat pumps

As with condensing boilers, no mixing device is

In addition to heating, geothermal heat pumps can also

Avoid geothermal heat pumps in systems requiring

2-5 Thermal Energy Storage Systems

H EAT S OURCE O PTIONS

building during the charging cycle, some of the tank

T HE IPEX M ANUAL OF M ODERN H YDRONICS

2-6 Wood-fired Boilers

water volume may be contained in the wood-fired boiler