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Focus on Floors
Concrete Technology
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Construction >Radiant-Heated Floors
RADIANT-HEATED FLOORS
 Concrete
slabs not only provide a durable and decorative interior flooring
surface, they can also serve as a giant radiant heat source. Called
hydronic heating systems, radiant-heated floors employ embedded tubing
in concrete and circulate warm water throughout the building. Radiant
heat from the floor develops a more comfortable heating profile for
the occupants than forced-air heat. In-slab hydronic heaters heat
from the floor up, providing heat to the living space rather than
the air towards the ceiling. Because the heat profile is more efficient,
thermostats can be set lower to save energy costs. Hydronic heaters
are thus more comfortable and more efficient.
Installation of these systems is relatively simple. Elastomeric,
plastic, or copper tubes are distributed along the subgrade or elevated
slab form. Insulation is provided to the edges of the slab and footing
– an important step to reduce the heat loss. The tubing layout
is secured and concrete can be poured. The heat source can be any
boiler, water heater, or solar collector to provide a warm water
source. Pumps and manifolds to exchange the circulated water are
located in an accessible location. Most hydronic system manufacturers
have computer programs to design the layout of the tubing system
as well as for calculation of heat loss.
Concrete for these systems is essentially satisfied
by building code requirements for strength and durability of the
slab. As long as the tubing is protected during placement and a
2-in clear cover of concrete is maintained, slab construction carried
out as if no tubing were present. It is suggested that the tubes
be charged with water during placement to avoid crushing. In addition,
if metal tubing is used, maintaining separation between the tube
and any metal reinforcement is necessary.
Resources Concrete
Floors on Ground (EB075)
"Radiant
Heat with Concrete," Concrete Technology Today
(PL971)
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