Tubing System | Frequently Asked Questions
Buschur's Refrigeration is proud to sell, engineer and professionally install WirsboTM Radiant In-Floor Heating systems. In-floor radiant heating systems are some of the most comfortable and energy-efficient available. They provide floor-to-ceiling heating so you can walk around in the middle of winter in bare feet and still feel a warm, cozy, comfortable warmth from under you. Plus, there are no cold spots with this type of heat and since heat naturally rises, this is the most efficient type of heating possible. Floors become mild radiators that heat objects in rooms, not the air, so the warmth is constant, gentle and there are no drafts.
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Radiant heating controls the rate at which a body loses heat by turning large surface areas (floors, walls, ceilings) into large, low-temperature radiators. These surfaces surround a person with warmth. Efficient and economical, radiant heating systems keep families like yours cozy and comfortable and often increase the resale value of your home. There are a number of radiant heating solutions to make your home comfortable and inviting. Warm your entire house or just chilly areas such as the kitchen, bathroom, basement, garage or entryway. Radiant heat can also be used outside to melt snow and ice during the winter months.
How Does Radiant Floor Heating Work?
Radiant floor heating systems circulate warm water through tubing embedded in the floor of your home. The heat radiates up through the floor, warming the people, furnishings and air in the room. The warmth stays down around where the people are, not up at the ceiling or lost to the outdoors every time a door or window is opened. It's a comfortable, even heat where cold spots and drafts are eliminated.
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The Benefits
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True Comfort — Imagine your beautiful floors now warm and cozy to the touch
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Works Everywhere — Under tile, marble, wood, carpet and concrete floors. Radiant walls and radiant ceilings can also create a cozy, efficient environment
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Economical — Potentially saves up to 40 percent in energy costs compared with forced-air heating systems
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Clean and Healthy — No drafts or fans blowing dust, dirt or allergens into the air
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Quiet — Eliminates noisy fans, popping ductwork and pinging pipes
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Increases Living Space — Lets you live in and enjoy that previously cold basement.
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Wise Investment — Makes your home more attractive to potential buyers
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The backbone of radiant floor heating system is the tubing. We offer a range of PEX flexible tubing products to meet the specific needs of your project. PEX is an acronym for crosslinked polyethylene, the raw material used to make PEX. The "X" refers to the crosslinking of the polyethylene across its molecular chains.
Crosslinking and Engel-method PEX
There are several different types of PEX on the market. The PEX tubing that we use is classified as PEX-a or Engel-method PEX. The Engel method is a hot crosslinking process, meaning the crosslinking takes place during the extrusion (formation) process when the base polyethylene is above its crystal melting temperature. Engel-method PEX provides the most control over consistency and uniformity of crosslinking so there are no weak links in the tubing.
When radiant heating applications require the flexibility, reliability and simple connections of PEX, but in a semi-rigid form, we offer multi-layer composite tubing as the solution.
1. Wirsbo hePEX™ plus - PEX tubing with an oxygen diffusion barrier.
There are several different kinds of PEX tubing on the market and they are not created equal. Wirsbo hePEX™ plus tubing is designed specifically for radiant heating systems. It has an oxygen diffusion barrier so it can be used in radiant heating systems that contain ferrous components. The tubing's unigue shape memory allows for solid, permanent connections, minimizing the risks of leaks.
-Tested and proven for over 30 years
-Durable, flexiable and extermely reliable.
-Mainenance-free
-100-year life expectancy
-Backed by a 25-year warranty
Multi-layer composite — semi-rigid multi-layered composite tubing
This multi-layer composite tubing is a PEX-Aluminum-PEX tubing consits of an interior aluminum tubing lined with inner and outer layers of crosslinked polyethylene (PEX). This tubing is a durable, reliable tubing that will not corrode or rust. The flexibility of the tubing results in easy rollout. The stay-in-place rigid feature of the tubing makes it ideal for radiant floor heating systems.
The PEX layers protect againts corrosion and create a shield so the tubing can be embedded in concrete. The aluminum layer offers 100% oxygen diffusion and provides stiffiness to hold the tubing in the desired shape. Together, the layers make up a flexible tubing that stays in place, won't discolor and has a low thermal expansion rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is radiant floor heating?
Radiant floor heating is a comfortable and efficient form of heating where warm water circulates through flexible, specially designed tubing (PEX) installed under the floor. The heat radiates evenly up through the floor warming people and objects in the room and providing more comfort for less money.
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What makes radiant floor heating so comfortable?
Unlike traditional heating systems that just warm the air, radiant heating warms the floor and the objects in contact with the floor. The entire floor distributes a consistent, even, and quiet heating. There are no drafts and radiant floor heating takes the chill out of cold tile, marble and wood floors.
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What is PEX tubing?
PEX (crosslinked polyethylene) tubing is a specially designed plastic tubing with distinctive properties that make it ideal for radiant floor heating and plumbing systems.
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What if the tubing leaks?
Leaks are not a concern with PEX tubing when the system is properly installed. With a life expectancy of over 100 years, PEX tubing has withstood the most extensive tests in the industry for over 30 years.
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Can the floor get too hot?
No. A properly designed radiant floor heating system will deliver comfortable warmth that's a pleasure to walk on - especially in bare feet! If additional heat is needed to satisfy the heat load, additional warmth can easily be added by installing radiant walls and/or ceilings.
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We already have a concrete floor in the basement. Is it too late to install a radiant floor heating system?
Not at all. Our Quik Trak system is perfect for remodeling or retrofit projects. Quik Trak is installed over a plywood subfloor. It's great for putting radiant comfort in a basement or anywhere in your home.
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Is it possible to just heat the ceramic floor in our master bath?
Absolutely. Radiant floor heating systems let you heat only those rooms you want to heat. The bathroom is a big priority for people who don't like to step onto cold tile.
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We're not ready to make this investment right now. Can we rough the system in for the future?
You bet! Our Radiant Ready option is perfect for you! The PEX tubing can be installed in the slab during construction and you can complete the system later. This adds relatively little to the cost of a poured floor, but can add a great deal to the value of your home later.
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If I have radiant floor heating, can I still have air conditioning?
Sure you can. In fact, separate heating and cooling systems really make the most sense. Radiant floor heating keeps the heat near the floor where it does the most good; and air conditioning ductwork is placed only where it is needed to cool your home. The result is optimal comfort and efficiency all year 'round.
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Is radiant floor heating more expensive than the alternatives?
Yes. It will cost more to install, however it's important to remember that radiant floor heating can potentially save up to 40 percent on your heating bills and significantly increase the resale value of your home. That, plus the increased comfort, makes it worth the extra dollars for initial installation.
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We've got allergies. Can an radiant floor heating system help?
For many, this is a resounding "Yes!" Our radiant heat system has no drafts, fans or blowers to circulate dust, dirt and other allergens throughout your home. Warm radiant floors can eliminate the need for carpeting which is a breeding ground for dust mites, a very common cause of allergic respiratory disease. The result is a clean, healthy environment -- a must for people with allergies.
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