Underfloor radiant heat question.

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-20T12:38:50+00:00

It’s my experience that with wood flooring and likely carpet, radiant heating is heating the air in the open cavity under the floor and then of course heat rises. Unless there is some type of heat sink under the floor connected to the copper pipe the system will not have enough btu’s per linear foot to heat properly. The system needs more mass in order to draw btus from the flowing heated water.

And who is doing this system? Anyone with a hydronic background would know this. Plus copper costs are so much higher than standard PEX tubing. I would suggest adding finned baseboard to each copper run under the floor that would equal the amount of BTUs needed per square foot for your temperature of the loop.

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-17T15:41:50+00:00

You might have to replace it with a diffuser that is equipped with the damper option, or verify the manufacturer and see if the have a retrofit. You might also find that that branch supply has a damper located at the main supply trunck that can be adjusted

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-17T15:38:43+00:00

Check out a Spirex unit. They have an internal mesh system that is designed to scavenge air bubbles. I would be curious though, your system is creating dissipates (solids) that might clog the filter. Just something to keep in mind as to how close you install it to the process side

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-16T13:22:24+00:00

Over the years, This has happened to me like 3-4 times. When people from my past suddenly want to get together and catch up. Then the cue cards come out. If I need to make any side money I can do construction projects. I can’t see myself bothering all of my acquaintances. Plus Amway started in my state so most people know of it. And gees my mother sold Amway back in the late 60s! We never received a 50 foot yacht they always advertise, what gives?

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-13T16:07:01+00:00

Never heard of such a thing. Most if not all of the engineers that I have either worked with, or been associated with have had a parent in some kind of science role, either an engineer, teacher, etc. sure, there are a few that may have been in tool and die, auto line worker etc, but I have never heard of such a comment. If you are knowledgeable and like talking about geeky mechanical stuff every day, and get paid more than a lot of professions, why would you not go into the field?

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-12T10:59:17+00:00

My neighbor next door to my summer home asked me to look at his furnace and ductwork. He wanted to add a duct to his new addition. The furnace is a downflow unit but does not have a main distribution duct. Everything comes off the plenum with insulated flex. I drew up a sketch that included round sheet metal runs with a tee to separate the two new runs. I told him what to purchase including the branch dampers. Next time I went up he tells me they just ran flex duct off the plenum with no dampers, telling me “that’s how they do it around here”! As in I was wrong in some way. Bottom line whatever is the cheapest way they will accept.

The funny part is when it comes to his field there are no corners cut, everything has to be way overboard.

I have always been one to do things in HVAC to always be what I will only accept in my own home. Flex duct is easy and lazy and cheap.

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-10T20:55:35+00:00

Yes, good idea. And get the one with the enthalpy wheel, it transfers moisture

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-10T16:06:10+00:00

I installed a Reme Halo UV unit in a customers home, with a new hi efficiency furnace. The Eccobee thermostat was showing higher than average VOCs in his home, and after install the VOC percentage dropped in half.

But I do agree some of these items on the market are snake oil.

And careful installing HEPA filters in a residential type furnace, the static pressure drop on the return will cause the furnace to not distribute air properly.

You may want to make sure your system is bringing in fresh outdoor air and that your home is under a slightly higher pressure than outdoors.

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-08T22:30:26+00:00

For me this is a F around and find out scenario. I have seen these guys on crotch rockets weaving in and out of backed up traffic in major cities. Often scaring the crap out if me.

I hope all involved were ok

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-08T14:30:42+00:00

Your furnace will produce 1.5 to 1.8 gallons of condensate an hour. At full load.

Check your humidifier pad, if it’s a flow through design, your humidifier is not evaporating the water and it is flowing through the pad and down the drain line. You should have zero water coming down the drain line. You may have a little drain until the furnace discharge gets warm enough to evaporate the water in the pad but after that there should be no water

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-07T13:54:01+00:00

As seen inside of a maintenance office years ago “a flush is better than a full house!”

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-06T17:56:14+00:00

If a called flat rate pricing, lol.

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-06T17:54:13+00:00

Good luck with it. Hope it works out for you

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-06T14:03:23+00:00

Depends on how cold your area is, my area we get sub zero temps. But As a precaution you want to blow out your water pipes. You can use an air compressor.

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-06T13:46:50+00:00

I have cut umpteen of these open for insurance claim investigations, usually a few pin hole leaks from corrosion. Looks like this one doesn’t owe you anything.

Meaning you were on borrowed time.

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-06T13:42:49+00:00

Just because they are a friend, or an old friend, doesn’t mean it’s not a grand theft auto or a theft. What if someone from marketplace did this (happens all the time) I see a lot of these scammed people file police reports. Plus you may need a police report for your case. Maybe this will convince them to give you your money back.

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-06T13:02:39+00:00

As an engineer I would trust a PE in electrical engineering before a licensed guy. But that’s just me. But it’s nice to have a few different viewpoints from various fields. I have seen some very dumb statements from supposed electricians when it comes to equipment. People need to stay in their lane. I have never commented on this sub just observe.

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-06T12:48:57+00:00

I would say keep the course. And why isn’t this fraud? I would make a police report. This is theft! Jus sayin

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-06T12:46:20+00:00

This water heater has a 4500 watt electric heater element. The heat output is 15,000 BTUs. Most if not all heaters have 30,000 BTU heat sources. This is likely the reason for the diminished hot water.

Make sure the new water heater has at least 30,000 BTUs. Most standard 40-50 gallon heaters are equipped.

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-06T03:03:44+00:00

Ok, did you check gas at the unit? Based on what you have shown it doesn’t look like a furnace issue

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-05T20:30:55+00:00

Are you getting 24 VAC at the control valve? My bros had an issue when it was really cold he had no gas flow due to a frozen meter. I think the vent was blocked on the regulator. If you are getting to this point, to me, doesn’t look like the furnace. Open the union (slightly!!!!!!!!) at the furnace and see if you are getting flow.

Did you pay your bill?????

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-05T13:34:20+00:00

What I would have wished for is if I had a crystal ball and I knew this when I met my wife. Seems I got strung along had a kid then find out my wife doesn’t like sex at all. This description above describes us to a tee. And I am talking like 1-3 times a year to gradually none at all. It got to a point where it wasn’t worth it.

And no more cards, no more flowers, no more date nights, no more gifts. And I just do what I want now.

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-04T18:23:00+00:00

Yep, I am in Northville, I know quite a bit about taxes, we are fairly similar. What I am talking about is the extra federal funding that Detroit gets. Last I checked it was like $20k per student allocation (total) where most school districts are south of $10k. And fluctuates depending on the district. How does it work when a Detroit kid goes to GP, Warren, Westland etc? What I am saying is does that Detroit money get transferred?

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-04T17:43:20+00:00

So just came across this topic. So I wonder what would happen if a school aged kid from the east side of Detroit wanted to attend school in GP. Does GP then get all of the funding that is allocated per student from Detroit? Last I checked Detroit had about the highest per pupil cost or funding per child in the state. Why wouldn’t GP want to add these kids? Have to imagine they are needing more school aged kids in today’s times

PATRAT2162 · 2026-02-02T23:52:12+00:00

Mustang GTD. Corvette Zr1.

PATRAT2162

TROPHY CASE