Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to questions that often arise with radiant heating panels or Ecowarm® RadiantBoard®.
Can Ecowarm® RadiantBoard® heat all types of rooms?
Yes, but there are some conditions, for example high resistance carpet and pad are installed in a great room with a lot of glass window in a very cold climate. Under those rare conditions, the designer will recommend supplemental heat of some sort (Ecowarm® RadiantBoard® radiant walls, Ecowarm® RadiantBoard® radiant ceilings, convectors or radiators).
How to solve floor height issues in a remodel?
Flooring height challenges can arise, particularly with radiant floor remodels. Ecowarm® RadiantBoard® is ¾” thick which is very thin for a radiant thermal mass. But even that is sometimes a problem. Sometimes you may need to shave ¾” off the bottom of a door if code permits. Sometimes you may need to add ¾” to your stair treads to keep the rise consistent.
When is Ecowarm® RadiantBoard® installed?
Ecowarm® RadiantBoard® is typically installed just prior to the installation of finished flooring goods. Store Ecowarm® RadiantBoard® on the job site in a dry, cool space until it is ready to be installed, in the natural progression of construction.
Is Ecowarm® RadiantBoard® really that efficient?
Well, Yes. Other higher mass concrete type systems have a lot of mass, which may sound good but they have some resistance and more response time issues. Underfloor systems have both high heat transfer resistance and heat loss opportunities resulting in higher operating costs. You want a system close to the flooring goods with high heat transfer characteristics…like RadiantBoard.
Will Ecowarm® RadiantBoard® heat the surface evenly?
Yes, Ecowarm® RadiantBoard® heats evenly due to the high heat transfer of its aluminum laminate. In a modern home with proper radiant controls, there is no reason to experience a significant temperature difference between radiant tubes. Refer to our testing … Ecowarm® RadiantBoard® Performance down the page a bit
Tankless Water Heaters and Radiant Heat
Due to the popularity of tankless water heaters, people often ask whether they are a good choice for use with radiant floor heating. The short answer is that they can be made to work but they are a poor choice.
- Radiant heat systems heat sources should be dedicated closed-loop systems, not exposed to potable water, for long and reliable service.
- Tankless water systems modulate their flame according to domestic water demand but they were not designed to modulate properly in a closed loop hydronic system. They are very low mass with the propensity to cycle often unless a one employs a buffer tank (cost and complication). They have a very high-pressure drop through their heat exchangers requiring high head (high energy use) circulator to extract the energy from the heat exchanger. Their charm is that they are relatively cheap compared to boilers.
- Alternatives to tankless water heaters:
- If you want an instantaneous water heater, we recommend that you purchase a combi boiler. A combi boiler is a typical wall hung boiler with an internal extra heat exchanger that generates domestic hot water and closed loop hydronic heating in one unit. These are very popular in Europe, Asia and now the U.S. They also usually have an internal hydronic circulator, vents, and controls that reduce piping and installed cost.
- There is another alternative to a tankless water heater when there are expected high peak domestic hot water requirements in the home (large tub. multiple bathrooms). Use a high efficiency, high output, well-insulated water heater to meet the domestic hot water load (http://www.htproducts.com/phoenixldwaterheater.html ) and use an external heat exchanger to create a closed-loop system for your radiant system. A great package that addresses this need is made by Taco http://www.tacocomfort.com/products/systems/radiant_systems/x-pump_block_xpb/index.html
Could tubing leaks destroy the Ecowarm® RadiantBoard®?
Leaks sometimes occur during construction, primarily due to conflicting trades. The PEX tubing can be lifted out of the groove at the leak, the groove routed to a larger size and a crimped or connected with a compression fitting. After the construction phase, leak concerns should rest with plumbing leaks, not the radiant system. To be safe, we recommend that the hydronic system is isolated from the pressurized plumbing system by a ball valve, not an auto-refill valve. Radiant panel systems that use composite boards such as MDF and OSB are more prone to swelling and distorting if exposed to water for prolonged periods of time.
Can I glue hardwood and carpet to Ecowarm® RadiantBoard®?
Yes, you can use adhesives to glue hardwood to Ecowarm® RadiantBoard® as specified in our Installation Manual page 30.
Can I install a mortar bed over Ecowarm® RadiantBoard®?
Yes, you can install a mortar bed over Ecowarm® RadiantBoard® using proper crack isolation. You also may forgo Ecowarm® RadiantBoard® in a bathroom by stapling the PEX tubing to the floor and applying the mortar bed. Ecowarm® RadiantBoard® over Tile and Stone
Can Ecowarm® RadiantBoard® heat rooms with tall ceilings?
Yes, radiant floor heating and Ecowarm® RadiantBoard® specifically are an excellent means of heating rooms with tall ceilings. Radiant largely heats objects, not the air, dramatically reducing the problem of hot air stacking in the ceilings. This phenomenon also reduces your heating bill. There is no good reason to overheat a tall ceiling, as happens with rising hot air with forced air systems.
How long does it take to install Ecowarm® RadiantBoard®?
Well, it really does depend. If your plan has lots of open space and few tight locations, that makes it faster (fewer cuts and fussing). If your installer has some experience, that really helps. So, planning on 250-500 sq ft per day is reasonable with two people.
How do I select manifold locations?
The manifold location will be discussed during your interview with your board layout designer. Take a look here… Layout Design Questionnaire
Does Ecowarm® RadiantBoard® use the correct aluminum thickness?
Aluminum laminate is factory installed in the grooves of the Ecowarm® RadiantBoard® straight panel but the super combo panels including curves are made differently as follows:
The super combo boards with curves are first grooved for the tubing using a computerized router. The boards are laminated with the covering layer of aluminum then the grooves are indented and perforated down the middle of the grooves. Combo boards have many perforated grooves to choose from. During installation, the tubing is walked into the chosen grooves splitting the aluminum which then compresses to the side of the tubing. This results in lower conductivity for ¼ the circumference of the tubing covering in the combo boards (about 35% of the floor surface) It also leaves the conductivity of the aluminum covering unchosen grooves intact. Testing has shown no significant impact on heating efficiency or comfort… comfort and day-to-day operation are what matters.
This also significantly lowers manufacturing costs of manufacturing Ecowarm® RadiantBoard®. The result: the best value in the market.
* A special tool is normally provided to assist in splitting the perforation in the corners of the Combo boards
Is Aluminum Laminate in the grooves of Ecowarm?
Aluminum laminate is factory installed in the grooves of the Ecowarm® RadiantBoard® straight panel but the super combo panels including curves are made differently as follows:
The super combo boards with curves are first grooved for the tubing using a computerized router. The boards are laminated with the covering layer of aluminum then perforated down the middle of both straight and curved grooves. During installation, the tubing is walked into selected grooves splitting the aluminum which then compresses to the side of the tubing. This results in lower conductivity for ¼ the circumference of the tubing covering about 35% of the floor surface. Despite unverified claims by competitors, in testing by independent labs, the effect of this approach has shown no significant impact on heating efficiency or comfort… comfort and day-to-day operation are what matters.
This also significantly lowers manufacturing costs of manufacturing Ecowarm® RadiantBoard®. The result: the best value in the market.
Do you ship to Canada?
Yes, we ship to Canada. Please review our Canada Shipping Info for more details.
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