Radiant Floor

Currently, two hydronic Radiant Floor modules are being built for future testing. They consist of long and narrow wooden frames filled with concrete, with different types of piping running throughout each frame. A hot (or cold) liquid is pumped, in this case water, throughout the pipes in the concrete to heat (or cool) the concrete. These modules will eventually test the amount of time it takes for the concrete to heat or cool for the different fins, and will enable other possible future testing with types of fluids.





This system is an alternative option to heating in homes or buildings. The heat from the pipes to the concrete in the flooring is transferred using conduction. The flooring effectively uses the energy within the system by dissipating the heat via conduction, convection and radiation, to eventually heat the space wherein it is installed. It also utilizes the buoyancy of hot air, by only heating the cooler air closer to the floor, making the system extremely efficient. It is a very sustainable method of heating a home or building, and can easily use a variety of energy sources, although it is commonly used with geothermal systems. Radiant floor systems also can significantly reduce green house gas emissions and heat loss, as no ducts are necessary in the systems.