Information about applying for an owner-builder certificate of consent, including eligibility, training requirements and more.

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The John A. Dutton Institute for Teaching and Learning Excellence is the learning design unit of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University.

Wet installations are the oldest form of modern radiant floor systems. In a wet installation, the tubing is embedded in the concrete foundation slab, or in a lightweight concrete slab on top of a subfloor, or over a previously poured slab.

Because air cannot hold large amounts of heat, radiant air floors are not cost-effective in residential applications and are seldom installed.

Author: Dr. Sarma Pisupati, Professor, Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University.

If you have been affected by the administration of Grandeur Homes, please visit the Navigating Builder Insolvency page on our website for advice and support. You can also contact our customer service hotline at 1300 067 095, selecting Option 1 and then Option 4 for further assistance.

Instructions: Dr. P. is doing some remodeling and needs to purchase new flooring. Assuming his home uses radiant heat, help him select the most appropriate flooring option.

Electric radiant floors are usually only cost-effective if your electric utility company offers time-of-use rates. Time-of-use rates allow you to “charge” the concrete floor with heat during off-peak hours (approximately 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.). If the floor's thermal mass is large enough, the heat stored in it will keep the house comfortable for eight to ten hours without any further electrical input. This practice saves a considerable number of energy dollars compared to heating at peak electric rates during the day.

A new generation of hydronic heating: This photograph depicts corrosion-proof, hot-water tubing stapled to the underside of subflooring.

A new generation of in-floor hydronic heating that employs corrosion-proof, hot-water tubing has enjoyed widespread popularity in recent years. With this type of system, heat is evenly distributed and floors are warm under foot. A variety of heating equipment may heat water: natural gas or propane water heater or boiler, electric boiler, wood boiler, heat pump, solar collector, or even geothermal energy.

Tubing for a hydronic system may be installed in a conventional concrete slab or in a lightweight, gypsum-cement slab. It can also be stapled to the undersides of subflooring as shown in the image below:

The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences is committed to making its websites accessible to all users, and welcomes comments or suggestions on access improvements. Please send comments or suggestions on accessibility to the site editor. The site editor may also be contacted with questions or comments about this Open Educational Resource.

Hydronic radiant floor systems pump heated water from a boiler through tubing laid in a pattern underneath the floor. The temperature in each room is controlled by regulating the flow of hot water through each tubing loop via a system of zoning valves or pumps and thermostats.

Under Part 5 of the Plumbing Regulations 2018, Thermostatic Mixing Valve work is the repair, alteration, maintenance and testing of a thermostatic mixing valve.

Although ceramic tile is the most common floor covering for radiant floor heating, almost any floor covering can be used. However, some perform better than others. Common floor coverings like vinyl and linoleum sheet goods, carpeting, wood, or bare concrete are often specified.

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Hydronic (liquid) systems, popular and cost-effective systems for heating-dominated climates, have been in extensive use in Europe for decades.

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