Somewhereinusa

[bansil]

Mmm...we are planning three zones,bedroom,kitchen/lounge and driver/navigator....what is your 4th zone(or room)?
Are you planning to "heat" tile and other type heat sinks?or just wood floors

[Diesel Dan]

Wow, dude, that's cool. I mean... warm.

[chev49]

Looks very good.

[somewhereinusa]

Mmm...we are planning three zones,bedroom,kitchen/lounge and driver/navigator....what is your 4th zone(or room)?
Are you planning to "heat" tile and other type heat sinks?or just wood floors

My four zones are bedroom,bathroom,kitchen, and front computer/living area. Floor will be 3/4 plywood that has a plastic coating on both sides. Pex will be in a sandwich with plenty of room around it for warm air to circulate (ie: not captive in grooves) I am also adding provision to put a heater/fan in each room if needed. Original front heat/defrost will be plumbed into the front zone.

I'm not an engineer, but I have been around the block a few times. I don't really know if any of this will work, but I will have warm floors.

[Newfiedogs]

Your doing all of this just for your dogs comfort? Good dogdad... Looks great, what type of compression tool are you using on the rings?
Tracy

[somewhereinusa]

Actually the dogs will probably think it's too warm, although Kate will be 9 this year and may be looking for a warmer spot.
I got this tool from Lowes.com

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?...llow&cId=PDIO1

I wanted the one with the ratchet for tight spaces. I had to order it on line, the stores seem to carry the Apollo brand that has a lot of bad reviews. This one has good reviews.(It's probably the same tool with different colored handles)

[Newfiedogs]

Thanks,
I have been wondering which to buy once I start running plumbing. Looks like it will work in tight spaces as well. I have a place I can rent one from but as you know its always better to have your own.
Tracy

[Tango]

Sounds like it could be really cozy, but I have to wonder about condensation on the lines in the closed plywood areas. Packed into concrete, it's not really an issue, but plywood, even coated...and mold...??? Just thinkin out loud.

[somewhereinusa]

I have to wonder about condensation on the lines

Unless you have some information I don't, condensation is only a problem on pipes with water that is colder than the air temp around them.

[PDBreske]

Originally Posted by somewhereinusa

Unless you have some information I don't, condensation is only a problem on pipes with water that is colder than the air temp around them.

You're right—condensation won't be a problem for hot water lines (as long as you don't spring a leak somewhere, so be VERY careful with nails after you've installed the tubing under the floor).

I do question, however, the idea of having a "PEX sandwich with plenty of room around it for warm air to circulate." Air is an insulator and will tend to minimize the amount of heat transferred to the flooring. The reason they normally place the PEX into grooves is to transfer the heat directly to the floors, which then radiate that heat up into the room. Frequently, the PEX tubing will also be placed into aluminum channels that help to further radiate the heat. In either case, the PEX is held in those grooves very tightly to minimize insulating air and maximize heat transfer between the water and the surrounding surface.