Question by whitewolfe: Solar powered radiant floor heat?
We have an OLD home that needs new flooring throughout. If we're going to install new floors, wouldn't it make sense to install radiant floor heat throughout as well? I keep hearing about how much more efficient it is, how comfortable and even it is, and also aesthetically pleasing (no ugly radiators.)
Since radiant floor heat operates with hot water running through the tubing, wouldn't it also make sense to use a solar hot water system to provide the hot water to the heating system?
Could the solar system effectively provide all the heat needed for the home via the radiant tubing system?
Has anyone done this? Any ballpark installation costs for a 1000 square foot home?
Well from what I understand you'd want to have a back-up system. Here in New England people do install solar hot water systems, in addition most people have gas or oil for their home heat. We have a brand new oil furnace so I don't see why that couldn't be the backup source if there is not enough sun.
Best answer:
Answer by havaseat
solar relies on solar it goes out snow rain clouds bunch cold feet an broke pipe use oil or antifreeze mix still not very efficent,, lot of cost for small well intended gain 30.000. wild guessunder tile grout bed
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Solar power simply cannot produce the 35 Kw of power to provide underfloor heating. It would take an area the size of a baseball park to do that.
It might work, especially if you’re in an area where lack of heat in the winter would be an inconvenience, not a threat.
There are gas-fired boilers for radiant floor heat, so at the very least, maybe the solar could give a boost to that, at least during the day. It works for water heaters…