I think radiant heating can be applied to an existing slab but it would raise the floor level. The Library Board is doing some building right now. A new room in an existing slab on grade municipal recreation hall is being constructed. Supplemental heating is needed since the rec hall is kept cool when not in use and a radiant retrofit was discussed. Far as I know they are popular and efficient systems, but all bidders on the contract went with some variation of electrical. I think there'd be considerable problems in changing the floor levels and the idea may not work at all if the traffic were equipment rather than people.

The ventless propane systems sound interesting and I wasn't aware of them. I wonder how they get around the issue of low ventilation in very tight rooms and the possibility of producing CO if the oxygen supply became depleted--some sort of catalytic burner maybe. I wonder how much bang you'd get from a passive system such as skylights and a black floor?

Reply

Quote Reply

Digg It

Del.icio.us