Journal of Light Construction: Hydronic

Q&A: Closing a House for the Winter

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 04:28:54 EST

Q: I have customers who want me to build a log home that will be used seasonally, for about two months of the summer and another two months in the winter. During the rest of the year they want to leave the house closed up and unheated. We're at the edge of the Rocky Mountain Front Range in eastern British Columbia, and winter temperatures often fall to 20F. I've discouraged the clients from installing a hydronic heating system because of the difficulty of draining it twice a year (draining the domestic water will be headache enough), but what other potential problems should I be thinking about? I'm concerned that the radical swings in temperature could damage interior finishes

Indirect-Fired Water Heaters

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:20:33 EST

In homes heated with a boiler, an indirect-fired tank can provide domestic hot water reliably and efficiently. A pair of industry experts explain what to look for.

Products

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:20:42 EST

Contemporary range hoods, pro-duty ratchets, heat-loss calculator, time-saving floor finisher, laminate ceiling planks, carbide chop-saw blades, more

Installing A Heat-Recovery Ventilator

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:18:53 EST

A ventilation contractor explains the ducting, sizing, wiring, and balancing that produce an effective HRV installation.

Notebook

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:18:33 EST

Stachybotrys mold, contractor licensing, radiant heat claims, Business Tune-Up, more

Trade Talk: Growing Pains for Potable-Water PEX

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:18:23 EST

Although manufacturers of PEX tubing tout its many advantages, most plumbers still prefer copper

Resources

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:17:49 EST

Hydronic heating guide, basic engineering text, more

Fine-Tuning Forced-Hot Air

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:12:43 EST

A heating contractor details how to upgrade from a typical bare-bones heating system to one that delivers comfort and customer satisfaction.

Q&A: Air Quality Problem in Entry

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 11:42:30 EST

Q: I have been called to solve an air-quality problem at a house with air-lock entries. The house has hydronic heat. The vestibules have no mechanical ventilation, and the air quality is poor. What type of ventilation do you suggest for these very small rooms?

Kitchen & Bath: Bathroom Trends from the K&B Show

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:10:47 EST

What’s new from the KBIS show in Chicago

Products

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:09:16 EST

Inflatable knee pads; truck bed extender; caddy for extension ladders; roof guardrail; track for heavy pocket doors; finish works on wet wood; mortarless brick veneer; elegant aluminum balusters; more

Products

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:08:47 EST

Noise-reducing batts; cool eye protection; simple cord connector; generator power panel; aluminum fence system; foolproof GFCI receptacle; thin profile radiant heat for tile

Installing a Radiant Wall

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 05:40:56 EST

Sometimes heavy floor coverings, furniture, or built-ins reduce the area available for radiant heating. This heating specialist shows how to turn walls and ceilings into heat emitters.

Making Sense of the Energy Code

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 05:40:50 EST

The MEC provides three ways to comply: simple prescriptive rules, a “tradeoff” approach, and performance design. An energy consultant tells how to decide which method best fits your project.

A Builder's Guide to Geothermal Heat Pumps

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 05:40:42 EST

Installed correctly, ground-source heat pumps can provide comfortable, efficient heating in many climates. Here’s an overview of the available options.

K&B Problem-Solvers

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 05:40:44 EST

This selection of products will help you design, install, and customize functional, attractive kitchens and bathrooms.

Q&A: Heating Tubes in Basement Slab

Wed, 23 May 2012 04:26:18 EST

Q: A client wants a portion of a basement slab to have radiant heat to take the chill off the floor of a planned playroom (there will be supplemental heat). The hvac contractor wants the radiant tubing, which will be attached to wire mesh, to be lifted into the middle of the slab during the pour to put the heat closer to the surface. The concrete contractor doesn’t want to do this because he insists that cracks will show up along the tubing. He wants to leave the tubing at the bottom, and says the insulation board will drive the heat up anyway. He recommends at least 3 inches of concrete-above the tubing. Which is correct?

Products

Wed, 6 Jun 2012 04:37:56 EST

Steel hollow-wall fasteners, exterior vinyl flooring, low-maintenance vinyl deck boards, remodeling for your pickup, easy metal roof panels, one-piece PVC deck system, low-profile hydronic baseboard, outdoor lighting, rooftop snow guard

Hydronic Baseboard Basics

Mon, 4 Jun 2012 05:39:27 EST

Finned-tube baseboard is the most commonly installed hot-water heating system in the country. An expert system designer explains how to size and install an efficient layout using the latest equipment.

Letters

Wed, 23 May 2012 05:23:53 EST

More on heating with water heaters, steel stud comments, AIA contract, window energy-cost correction, in praise of crushed stone