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Heat-Sheet is the ideal product in this case, as its EPS panels provide both the required R-values and nodules designed specifically to accommodate PEX tubing.

A good way to ensure the PEX tubes are intact is to pressurize them to 60 PSI before the concrete pour and inspect them for leaks. In fact, you should leave the tubing under pressure during the pour and for 3 days after, as doing so will help you spot damage to the tubes before the concrete cures and repairs become costly.

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It’s important to have an expansion joint where the PEX tubes exit the slab. Expansion joints protect the PEX tubes from damage if the slab moves in any way.

Once you’ve zeroed in on the desired fuel, you should choose the boiler type. Combination boilers (called “combis” for short) are the go-to option for hydronic radiant floors. Combis get their name from their ability to provide both central heating and domestic hot water, and do not require a hot water storage tank since they supply hot water directly on demand.

Now that you know what fuel and boiler type you’ll use to heat the radiant floor, you should calculate the system heat gain and loss to determine the boiler capacity and the required length of PEX tubing.

On top of the edge insulation, you must have at least R-10 of insulation beneath the slab to prevent heat transfer downward.

To prepare this guide, we’ve reached out to Adam Carter,  C.E.T. RASDT, RHDT, Senior Designer at Ontario-based Canada HVAC Design. Adam has many years of experience in designing hydronic radiant floors, so he’s well aware of all the nuances a builder must keep in mind to install an energy-efficient, high-performance system.

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Remember that early planning is the key to having a system that’s well-suited for the property size, while paying attention to the finer details (like slab edge insulation or providing an expansion joint) helps you avoid costly errors.

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However, suitable electric boilers are not currently as available in North America as they are in Europe, so gas or propane are the more straightforward fuel options if you’re in Canada or the US.

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To do this calculation, you can use the LoopCAD software, which automatically generates a hydronic radiant floor heating circuit based on your inputs. LoopCAD also gives you the following values:

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ICF foundations are ideal for this purpose, as they are insulated already. However, if you’ve got a regular concrete foundation, you’ll need to insulate the slab edges with at least a 1-inch rigid/foam insulation board. This is a detail that some inspectors can miss, but doesn’t mean that you should let it slide — heat will leak out and weaken the efficiency of your radiant floor.

If you install hydronic radiant floors in the homes you build, you know you only have one shot to get the job done right — once the concrete gets poured, there’s no more room for error. That’s why it pays to plan each radiant floor job with care and to pay attention to the little details that can affect the floor’s performance, efficiency, and durability.

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The first step when designing a hydronic radiant heat flooring system is to select your heat source. In theory, gas, propane, and electric boilers are available.

They always give priority to domestic water, so you should find a combi of a high-enough capacity to keep the radiant floors hot while you’ve got a tap or shower running.

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