A bad water pressure regulator can cause water to wreak havoc on your plumbing, so knowing the early signs of a bad regulator and taking preventative action before damage can be done are important in maintaining the health of your home. If you see any of the below symptoms in your home, your regulator may need to be replaced.

It’s amazing how layered some heating systems can get. In their quest for maximum efficiency, effectiveness, and versatility, some customers tie as many as three different heat sources (in this case, solar, wood, and gas) into a single system. The following schematic illustrates how this can be done.

Pictured above are a few examples of our “Radiant Ready” single zone Open Systems. This pre-assembled, panel system comes right out of the box just as you see it here, including pump, pre-wired controller, various valves and gauges. The entire system is pressure tested against leaks and as few as five solder connections can tie it into your system.

The above schematic details all the components in the “Open System”, followed by a  photo that shows how the system ties into the Zone Manifold.  Hot water from the on-demand unit enters mixing valve #1 (valve on the left) where it is tempered to whatever temperature the floor requires.  Hot water from the on demand heater also supplies mixing valve #2 (upper valve) so the household’s domestic hot water can be cooler (or hotter in some cases) than the floor water. This plumbing configuration gives the homeowner total control over the heat output for both space heating and domestic hot water.

Homeowners often notice low water pressure when it affects their household fixtures like weak showerheads and faucets, but high water pressure can often be overlooked. Not only is high water pressure less noticeable to the eye than low water pressure, but it is far more costly if it persists over time. A water pressure regulator is a device that prevents high water pressure from wreaking havoc on your home’s plumbing. With a working pressure regulator in place, you can have peace of mind knowing that your pipes and appliances are protected. In this article, you can find information on what pressure regulators are, how they work, how to install one, how much they cost, and which regulator is best for your home.

The open system uses one heat source, your domestic water heater, to provide both floor heating and domestic hot water. The two systems are basically tied together. The same water that ends up in your hot shower or dishwasher, for example, has passed through the floor first. This is a very efficient system because one heat source is doing all the work. As long as the water heater is sized appropriately and matches your heating and domestic needs, the need for a “separate” heating system is eliminated.

If you are installing a regulator in a home that does not already have one, the steps for installation are more complicated. Unless you are experienced with plumbing, you will want to hire a professional. Installation often involves relocating the shut-off valve of the home to create space for the regulator. If you are comfortable enough to install the regulator yourself, follow these steps:

Water pressure regulators must be replaced about once every 4 to 12 years. While some PRVs may last longer than others, manufacturers recommend swapping out your regulator at least once every 5 years to prevent damage. Your home will show signs when your regulator may be failing. If you notice any of the symptoms listed below, you will want to inspect your pressure regulator and monitor it closely.

If your Radiant zone has multiple circuits of tubing, each circuit will have a ball valve on the supply side of the loop manifold, close off all the circuits of Zone #1 except the first one and channel the water into that first circuit.  When circuit #1 has been purged, then close off circuit #1 and open circuit #2. Repeat this process for every circuit for the entire zone. Loop manifold examples: (Wall mount & Boxed version):

If your water pressure is too high or low and you already have a PRV in place, you may simply need to adjust it to the correct pressure. To adjust your water pressure regulator, follow the steps below.

But you still want to follow the same procedure as you would for a closed system, that is, fill the open system one zone at a time, one circuit at a time.

So, when you use hot water, cold water enters the water heater via the floor. This assures that fresh water is always flowing through the system, even in the summer. Keep in mind that any hot water displaced by the cold make-up water eventually works it’s way to the water heater, so there’s no net energy loss. And due to the large thermal mass in the floor, the small amount of cold make-up water entering the tubing has no chance of cooling down the floor….unless of course you were to take a four hour shower. That’s not likely. Also remember that if the thermostat in the zone is calling for heat at the same time you’re using hot water, then the circulator pump will still be pumping hot water through the loops and the net result will be warm water entering the tubing instead of cold.

Since solar, especially during the spring, summer, and fall, can heat the tank to near boiling, a mixing valve tempers the potentially scalding water to a safe level.

And while we’re on the subject of water, it’s important to remember that all plumbing systems, whether for domestic hot and cold water or hydronic heating, are subject to various environmental factors. The water’s mineral content (“hard” or “soft” water), PH (acidic or alkaline), and additives like chlorine can all affect the copper, galvanized, or plastic components in domestic water systems, including PEX tubing.

In dual coil tanks, basically two closed systems are surrounded by potable water. Ideally, the lower (solar) coil heats the tank to a usable temperature, and the hot water is drawn off as needed for domestic and heating purposes. Fresh water enters the tank in direct proportion to the amount drawn off for domestic hot water.  Obviously, when hot water is taken from the tank for radiant heating purposes, it simply returns to the tank for re-heating.

When a pressure regulator breaks, it is unable to lower water pressure as it enters the home. As a result, you may notice water pressure that is much stronger than normal. Before giving up on your current regulator, you can try to lower its pressure by adjusting its external screw. If this adjustment does not solve the problem, your PRV likely needs a replacement.

Unlike tank-type water heaters, on-demand units are computer controlled and can modulate their burners in response to incoming water temperature to maximize efficiency. They also come with built-in digital displays that show gallons per minute flowing through the unit (useful for diagnostics), incoming and outgoing water temperature, and even flash error codes when something isn’t right. Raising or lowering the output temperature is as simple as pushing a button.

You’ll notice that cold water from your domestic supply enters the water heater via the floor tubing. We plumb the radiant system this way so that there’s never any chance of stagnant water entering your domestic system. Fresh water enters the tubing every time you use hot water.

Radiant Floor Company also makes pre-assembled “Radiant Ready” single zone systems in 38 configurations. The photo below is a Radiant Ready specifically designed for an on-demand water heater.

By the way, one of the easiest and least expensive ways to protect components in open systems, to say nothing of the home’s plumbing fixtures, is through the use of a whole house filter. Common canister-type housings are available at any hardware store and a 20 micron filter will effectively remove silt and other particles from the home’s incoming water.

Hot waterradiantfloor heating systems

The Circulation Loop solves this problem by circulating hot water in a continuous loop between the user and the heat source. One or many hot water fixtures then branch off the main loop and hot water becomes, in effect, instantly available.

EVERY heating unit that Radiant Floor company recommends and offers is “DESIGNED & RATED FOR SPACE HEATING”! These units are not your “typical” water heaters, so don’t let the compact size fool you! All of our heating units are manufactured to an industry standard of quality and reliability.

Regardless of which radiant heating system you choose, be it Open, Closed Or heat exchanger, or type of fuel source you require, Propane, Natural gas, Electric or Oil,…Radiant Floor company has you covered!!!

These highly efficient heaters are built with Radiant heating in mind. We offer units that will heat both your Radiant (space heating) and domestic hot water.

Notice also how a “high” temperature heat emitter (fan coil or baseboard radiator), can interface with a “low” temperature emitter (radiant floor) by the strategic placement of a mixing valve. And because this is an open system, domestic hot water is provided as well.

The Watts lead-free pressure regulators are excellent regulators for any home. They effectively protect your home’s plumbing from high incoming water pressure. They are constructed with a lead-free brass body and feature a reinforced diaphragm for protection against high temperatures. They come in both ¾” and 1”, giving you sizing options that will fit your home’s existing plumbing.

The other variation on the wood boiler theme is the “domestic hot water coil” within the boiler itself. Some brands of boiler offer this feature and, as long as wood is continually fed into the boiler, a separate storage tank for domestic hot water is not needed.

That makes filling the open system easier than filling a closed system because there’s no need for hoses, utility pumps, or buckets of premixed anti-freeze.

The photo below illustrates another style of on-demand water heater, but instead of gas as the fuel, it uses electricity. This Electric unit is specifically designed for radiant floor applications and in regions of the country (the Pacific Northeast, for example) where electricity rates  are low (.07 per KWH or below), an electric on demand heater would be an excellent heat source choice.

Open systems are part of the domestic plumbing system. They operate at the same pressure as the house supply, generally around 40 to 60 psi.

1. Close both shut-off valves. 2. Attach a short washing machine hose to each boiler drain. 3. Pour 2-3 gallons of pure white vinegar into a clean 5-gallon bucket. 4. Attach the hose from the “hot” (out of the Takagi) line to a submersible sump pump or a utility pump. 5. Run the hose from the “cold” (in to the Takagi) line into the 5-gallon bucket.

Replacing a water pressure regulator is a simple task. Regulators from the same manufacturer do not typically change in size over time, so purchasing the same brand as the old regulator should ensure a proper fit. You can replace your regulator with these simple steps:

If you hear thumping or vibrating coming from your walls, your pipes may be experiencing high water pressure. Catching this before the pipes begin leaking is crucial in preventing water from damaging the interior of your home. However, loud pipes are not a clear-cut sign of a bad pressure regulator. Many factors, such as new appliances, solenoid valves, and a bad expansion tank, can contribute to noisy pipes. If your home’s pipes are making noise, listen for the noise next to your regulator. If the noise is noticeably louder, your PRV is most likely at fault.

Without a PRV, a home’s pipes are subject to constant strain that deteriorate them over time. This can cause cracks to form in the pipes, eventually leading to water damage in the home. In homes with high water pressure, regulators are essential to keeping pipes and appliances running smoothly. Installing new plumbing or repiping your home costs thousands of dollars. It is also a very disruptive inconvenience, so addressing elevated water pressure before it damages your plumbing will ultimately save you money and hassle.

The rise in fossil fuel prices has inspired many homeowners to invest in renewable energy technologies like solar. The schematic below demonstrates how a solar thermal array can interface with an open radiant system.

And although cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) is among the most durable of all these components, there are circumstantial reports that high concentrations of chlorine, in a tiny fraction of cases and specific to municipal water supplies, may have degraded PEX tubing. This can potentially affect “open” radiant systems supplied by municipal water departments.

These isolation valves allow the homeowner to “back-flush” the Takagi on-demand water heater with pure white vinegar as part of a periodic maintenance program, especially in regions with very hard water. The vinegar is slightly acidic and will break down mineral deposits that may have built up in the Takagi’s heat exchangers.

Over the last few years, on-demand water heaters have evolved into extraordinary heat sources. They are much more efficient (95%) than tank-type water heaters (75% or less for most models), and they’re smaller, more powerful, vent with PVC pipe, and importantly, they don’t suffer from “standby loss”.

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We call the various valves in the above photo “isolation valves”. The two valves that look like hose bibs are boiler drains. One boiler drain is located on the upper (hot “out”) pipe just below a standard shut-off valve. The boiler drain on the lower pipe (cold/return “in”) is just above a second shut-off valve.

If you have little to no water pressure in your home, your water pressure regulator may be the cause. If you have pressure with cold water and not with hot, then your water heater is most likely the cause, not the regulator. However, if both hot and cold yield the same low water pressure, you will need to replace your PRV.

But of course this miracle consumes energy. A small pump (about 80 watts) is required for circulation and the loop itself can radiate a significant amount of thermal energy to the surrounding air unless it’s well insulated. Ideally, a timer activates the loop (pump) only during periods of significant hot water use, say, a few hours in the morning and a few at night.

Water pressure regulators contain an internal diaphragm and spring that water must travel through before entering a home’s plumbing. The higher the water pressure that enters the regulator, the greater the pressure put on the spring. This causes less water to pass through the regulator, effectively reducing the water pressure as it enters the home’s pipes. The water pressure allowed into the home can be changed by adjusting the tension of a screw on the exterior of the regulator.

FILLING & PURGING THE OPEN SYSTEM: With a newly installed open Radiant heating system, The first start up is most crucial, purging air from your system is a must. Air in your system is the WORST thing that can happen to any (Hydronic) Radiant heating system. Follow this link, https://www.radiantcompany.com/system/opensystem/#Filling_the_Open_System For Open system filing and purging details as well as On demand water heater filter cleaning / removing details.  Turn off or disconnect the power supply from the water heater so that you’re not wasting hot water during this process.

Radiant heat systeminstallation

General water pressure regulators start at around $60, while more expensive options can cost multiple hundreds of dollars. If you wish for a plumber to install your regulator for you, the installation will cost around $350. While this may seem expensive, the lack of a pressure regulator can cost you thousands of dollars in water damage if your home’s water pressure is too high.

Also, because this configuration is basically two closed (non-potable and/or anti-freeze) systems interfaced with pure, drinkable water, the components needed in any closed system are included in this package, i.e. expansion tank, air eliminator, fill/drain valves, etc.

Leaky pipes are caused by high water pressure, but you may notice a leaky pipe before you see high water pressure coming from a fixture. High water pressure wears down pipes over time, eventually causing them to crack in some places. A leaky pipe can be a sign that your pressure regulator has failed to lower the pressure of incoming water. The first leak will likely form at the regulator itself, so checking for pooling water under your regulator can help you identify a problem early. If you notice a bad PRV too late, your home can experience costly water damage.

A second Stainless Steel circulator pump is installed on the domestic/heating side of the heat exchanger (upper right of photo). A sensor on the storage tank return line monitors the temperature in the tank. When the tank temperature falls below 140 degrees, the stainless pump is activated and heat is drawn from the heat exchanger.

What isradiant heatin a house

When the pump is running, it will send vinegar IN the OUT port of the water heater and OUT the IN port, effectively back-flushing the heat exchangers. Allow the vinegar to circulate in this manner for several minutes. Alternatively, you can pump vinegar into the heater, close both shut-off valves, and allow the vinegar to sit in the heat exchangers for an hour or two.

The insulated supply and return lines from the wood boiler (black Ecoflex pipe) enter the room through an opening in the slab. A cast iron circulator pump (bottom left) sends the hot fluid into the top left inlet of the heat exchanger. An in-line thermometer shows the exact temperature going into the heat exchanger. From the bottom left outlet of the exchanger the water returns to the boiler.

Many customers, especially in rural areas, are installing outdoor wood boilers and using them in conjunction with radiant floor heating. Normally, these boilers, via a heat exchanger, are plumbed into a storage/back-up tank that can take over the task of heating the water when the winter fatigued homeowner flies off to the Caribbean and becomes unavailable to throw wood into the boiler.

In homes with spread-out floor plans, the heat source is often a long distance from the hot water fixtures. Fifty, eighty, even a hundred feet of 1/2″ or 3/4″ copper pipe or PEX tubing can separate the user from the water heater. In extreme cases, several gallons of water vanishes down the drain before the hot water arrives, to say nothing of the long wait.

Normally, for the sake of efficiency (heating with anti-freeze is 15% less efficient than heating with pure water), you don’t want your entire radiant system to use anti-freeze just because one or two zones may need it. The solution is a heat exchanger heated by one leg of the open system Zone Manifold ( see above schematic ). The heat exchanger transfers heat from the potable water to the anti-freeze without mingling the two fluids.

A water pressure regulator, also known as a pressure-reducing valve (PRV), is a valve that reduces water pressure as it passes into a home. When water enters a home through the main water line, its pressure is typically too high for the home’s plumbing to handle. Pipes and water-reliant appliances that experience high water pressure can deteriorate over time. A PRV protects a home’s water systems from damage caused by constant high water pressure.

Radiant heat systemcost australia

Speaking of closed systems attached to “open” systems, some radiant applications require the use of anti-freeze. Examples would be melting snow from driveways, walkways, and stairs; heating remote buildings like workshops and greenhouses via underground, insulated lines…..or basically, any heating task demanding freeze protection. Obviously, these zones can’t intermingle with the potable water of an open system.

Notice the “existing system fill kit” plumbed into the return line. These valves make it easy to fill or drain the boiler when necessary.

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And although it looks at first glance as if cold water will be cooling down your floor, in reality that won’t happen. The only cold water that can enter the tubing will be the “make up” water to your water heater. If no hot water valves are open in your domestic system, the radiant system is essentially “closed”. In other words, cold water cannot enter the system unless it has somewhere to flow….an open hot water valve in the house somewhere. Without an open hot water valve, only the circulator pump supplying the radiant tubing can force water from the water heater into the tubing, and back, when your zone calls for heat.

In the pictured snow melt system, note the XPS (extruded polystyrene) insulating foam below the tubing and, just as important, the vertical pieces of foam along the edges of the future slab. In all radiant heating applications, and especially in energy intensive uses like melting snow and ice, it’s crucial to contain the heat and direct it to its primary task. In this case, melting snow from the concrete driveway and not wasting precious heat on the soil below and along the edges of the slab is worth the high cost of abundant insulation.

Also, keep in mind that if you’re using a new tank-type water heater, that heater will be full of air. Expect the purging process to last several minutes because you’re filling both the empty tubing and a very large tank.

When hot water is drawn from the domestic water heater (on-demand or tank-type), cold water flows in to replace it. But instead of going directly to the water heater, in an open radiant system, that fresh make-up water flows through the radiant tubing first. This eliminates any possibility of stagnation in the system, yet still has no detrimental effect on the heating system. So, as a result of this plumbing configuration, only the hot side of your domestic system can purge air from the newly installed radiant tubing.

There’s not a lot of maintenance for our Radiant heating systems but to clean a filter in the water heater and maintain system pressure.  This may need to be performed several times , especially at start up! Please click on this a link https://www.radiantcompany.com/system/opensystem/ and scroll down more than half of the page for a short video of how this is done.

The cost of the ALPHA series pumps have dropped dramatically and the price is now within the range of many conventional radiant circulators. Radiant Floor Company will design ALPHA circulators into our radiant system whenever possible so our customers can enjoy a 50-75% savings on the cost of running their pumps.

Radiant heat systemcost

If your home has a water pressure regulator, it should be located near the main shut-off valve. The PRV should be located directly next to the valve. If you are unable to locate your valve, check your basement, garage, or downstream from your water meter if your home has one. If you live in a region with a cold climate, your valve will be located in a warm area to prevent freezing. Odd construction may cause the valve to be installed in an unusual place. If you cannot find the shut-off valve in any of these locations, your home inspection report will list its location. If your home receives water from the city lines, you most likely have a pressure regulator already installed.

One important note: A pump should never be hotter, than the liquid circulating through it. This is an indication of stress on the pump, Over-revving of the pump motor, either due to lack of liquid (air) or a restricted circulation (or holding back) of the electric motor’s armature. This may be freed by removing any particulates that may be lodged in impeller inside the pump housing etc.   A noisy pump usually means air is in the system and needs to be purged.

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Any stray air remaining in the system will be purged naturally over time by the household’s normal daily use of hot water.

So, if you have reason to believe that your municipal department treats the local water with higher than normal degrees of chlorine (4PPM), you may want to consider a “closed” or “heat exchanger” heating system. Both these system types allow the homeowner to charge the radiant system with any water they choose (distilled, or spring water, or water from some other low mineral or non-chlorinated source).

The heat exchanger is necessary in this system because the water in the wood boiler is chemically treated with an anti-corrosive agent. As a result, the boiler water must never come in contact with the potable water in the storage/back-up tank. Also keep in mind that, unless the wood boiler is a multi-fuel system (i.e. a propane or oil burner fires up when the wood supply burns down), the back-up tank should be a heat source powerful enough to meet the home’s total hot water and heating needs.

On the other hand, if a period of cloudy weather or a lack of available sun (also called winter) prevents the solar from heating the tank to the desired temperature, the Takagi on-demand (back-up) unit heats the upper coil by using standard fossil fuel. Either way, hot water is always available for domestic or radiant heating purposes.

City water fluctuates in pressure depending on demand for water elsewhere. As a result, your home’s water pressure will be unstable if the regulator is not working. If you are unable to use multiple water outlets at the same time because of low water pressure, your PRV may be the culprit.

Even large, high volume radiant systems can use a properly sized on-demand water heater. The below schematic details our “Primary/Secondary” plumbing configuration in an open system (i.e. heating and domestic hot water from a single unit).

No. That’s because our circulators are very low wattage, non self priming pumps. They can stir water around a radiant system, but they can’t compete with normal domestic water pressure. As a result, domestic hot water uses always take precedence.

Remember, just opening a domestic hot water fixture anywhere in the house will force water through the zone. However, opening the boiler drain valve to the right / above the mixing valve / thermometer is most convenient and offers best flow.

Building code requires homes that receive water with pressure greater than 80 PSI have a water pressure regulator. A home’s water pressure should stay in the range of 40 to 60 PSI. You can test your home water pressure easily with a pressure gauge with a garden hose adapter. If your home receives water from a city water system, your water pressure fluctuates throughout the day. Instances where there is sudden high demand for water, such as firefighting, cause water pressure to dip and rise in a water line. The use of a PRV can help steady these fluctuations.