Radiant Heating System 6

Some of the tools used for the Roth panel installation. First, a hammer drill for the TapCon screws. By putting a washer around the bit, I was able to prevent the chuck from damaging the aluminum plate.
Hammer Drill 1
Hammer Drill 1a
Hammer Drill 1b
A hot-wire cutter to make channels in the styrofoam to route the tubing. This tool was a huge time saver. I tried using a utility knife at first, but that just made a mess.
Hot Wire Cutter 1a
Hot Wire Cutter 1
For channels in plywood nailing strips and thresholds, I used a radial arm saw to cut part way through the plywood. For curves, I would cut the outside of the curve with a jig saw, then use the radial arm saw to make the channel.
Channel Detail 1
Channel Detail 1a
The hallway had some of the more complicated runs since this was the route back to the manifold.
Hall Tubing 1b
Hall Tubing 1c
After the tubing is installed in the Roth panels, the panels are covered with 1/4" luan. The luan is held down with Tap-Con screws, just like the Roth panels. You'll want to take a lot of measurements as to where the the tubing is located before you put down the luan. You do not want to puncture the PEX tubing.
Luan screwed down
After the luan is down, you can install the carpet tack strips around the perimeter. For padding, you need to use something with a low R-value. Regular carpet padding with block the heat. I used Tred-MOR 2500 1/4" slab rubber padding seen in a roll here. This stuff is very heavy. In fact you do not need to fasten it down...it will stay wherever you put it.
Tred-MOR roll
The Buderus indirect water heater failed after about 7 years. The heating coil sprung a leak into the water tank. Apparently, Buderus indirects are notorious for doing this, so I had it replaced with a Crown stainless steel 40 gallon indirect. The Buderus boiler has been running great, however I did have to switch maintenance contractors to find someone who really knows Buderus. I had five different companies come out with a no-heat issue two winters ago. The last guy, who is the one that fixed it, was aware of a service bulletin on the Riello burner that specified a higher pressure setting (like 200 psi vs. 160 psi). Once that was done, we were working perfect again.
Crown Indirect


Still to be done on this project are two bathrooms that will be heated with Runtal towel warmers. I will update this site as the project progresses.

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