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Radiant floor systems and radiant
heating.
Commonly used radiant floor heating systems are: hot water radiant
floors (hydronic systems) and electric radiant floors (heating cables,
flexible heating films and self-regulating heating elements).
•
Hydronic systems pump heated water from a boiler through tubing laid in
a pattern
Underneath the floor. The water supplied to the system generally ranges
from 85o F (29oC) to 1400F (60oC) and is controlled by thermostats to
moderate the floor temperature. A cementitious material or an air gap is
required to distribute evenly the heat.
• Electric cables and flexible heating films convert electrical power
into heat and require a thermal mass or an air gap to spread out the
heat. Since the power generated is fixed, temperatures are controlled by
on/off thermostats and floor sensors, creating differential temperature
changes in the floor.
• Self-regulating elements are made of a semi-conductive material, which
acts as a sensor; the heat output increases as the temperature decreases
and conversely, the
Heat output decreases as the temperature increases. The self-regulating
element comes as a mat and can be placed directly under the floor
covering because it cannot overheat.
Refer to the Radiant Panel Association Standard Guidelines for the
design and installation of residential radiant panel heating systems and
to the ANSI/UL-1693
Standard for Electric Radiant Heating Panels and Heating Panel Sets.
Also, follow manufacturer's specifications.
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