Frontier Plumbing and Heating Supply
SECTION 6
  1. PROPER DESIGN 


    Next to a proper installation and hook-up, the need for a proper design for the heating system is equally as important. Without a proper design, floor heat cannot be expected to work to the owner's complete satisfaction. For this reason we will not supply any package to a building without a complete heat load evaluation of the project. This will tell us whether supplemental heat will be needed or if an over heating situation could occur. The design of the floor heat package should be completed by a professional that is directly involved with hydronic floor heat system. You should give careful consideration when choosing a designer for the floor heat package. There are a lot of people that will claim to have all the answers, but our years of experience has told us different. The people at our firm doing the design has past experience and will stand behind the design we have provided. We also feel that all systems and designs of floor heat systems should have an engineers approval, and be submitted to the building standards branch for approval. 

    Ventilation Requirements

    The Alberta building code stipulates that for any home using a hydronic system, as its primary heat source, that a mechanical means of exchanging air be provided. This unit must be capable of providing a l/2 an air change per hour. This air exchange can be satisfied by using 1 of 2 methods. 

    The simplest method is through the use of a makeup air, fan coil. Basically outdoor air is dusted into the fan coil, sucked through a radiator type coil which heats the air to room temperature and then ducted into the living areas of the home. This ducting system does not have to be elaborate as long as the required CFM of air is provided to exchange the air. 

    The second method would incorporate the use of an air-to-air exchanger. This system involves ducting fresh air from outside into the air to air exchanger, ducting supply air to the living areas and then bring the exhaust bath fans and a return air duct back to the air/air exchanger. The idea is the exhaust air will heat the incoming air up. Both methods have their pros and cons regarding cost, ease of installation, performance etc. Be sure to have your designer explain these units to you. 

    Back Arrow Back to Technical Information Page