At Radiant Heating Designs we look at all the aspects of your hydronic heating needs and work with you to make sure that you are getting a properly designed system. With our state of the art software we are able to quickly and accurately provide you with the following:

ROOM HEAT LOADS

We will be able to estimate the design heating load for each room on your plans. This will take into account for heat loss of such things like windows, doors, and walls. Our unique area and volume calculator allows us to accurately determine the correct room volume for each room to be used in making our heat loss estimates. Once we have a list of the rooms and their heat losses we are able to quickly generate the total heating load of your home.

BASEMENT HEAT LOADS

We will be to determine the heat loss of your basement whether it is a daylight basement or a full basement. Our extensive database of construction materials enables us to calculate the heat loss of different materials through which heat losses occur.

SERIES BASEBOARD SIMULATION

If baseboard heaters are in your design we will determine the performance of the fin-tube baseboards connected in a series. From our large database of manufacturers and their models of baseboard heaters, circulator pumps and system fluids we will be able to assign loads and then select the proper hardware for your system. We will also able to simulate each circuit using different sizes and makes of tubing along with the fitting and valves for each. Along with the sizing of each of the baseboards, we will be able to provide the temperatures for each baseboard heater at the inlet side and the outlet side along with the flow rate for the associated circulator pump.

HYDRONIC CIRCUIT SIMULATION

By using our databases for fluids, circulator pumps, tubing, valves, and fittings we are able to simulate the performance of your hydronic radiant heating system. We will simulate the fluid flow and heat output in a number of different piping systems that are commonly used for hydronic heating. By adjusting or replacing any part within any loop we are able to look at different what if scenarios and make sure that you are getting the perfect radiant heating system.

EXPANSION TANK SIZING

When using a closed loop system you will need to use a diaphragm-type expansion tank. We can accurately determine the minimum volume and air-side pressurization of the tank. while also calculating the volume of antifreeze and the volume of different sizes and types of tubing.

FLUID PROPERTIES CALCULATING

By using this calculator we are able to use the density, viscosity, specific heat, and the "alpha-value" which is used to determine hydraulic resistance. Then apply these findings to the hydraulic resistance calculator.

HYDRAULIC RESISTANCE CALCULATIONS

With the information obtained from the fluid properties calculations we are able to obtain the hydraulic resistance value for any component that has flow rate versus head loss data available. Now we are able to see how the flow rate of your system is affected when heat sources, heat exchangers, and emitters are moved to different locations added or taken out of your system.

PIPE SIZING

Since the size of the pipe is a fundamental part of your hydronic heating system we use the maximum flow through the PEX, PEX-AL-PEX, and COPPER to come up with heat transport at any given rate. While the correct pipe size is being calculated we also figure in the pressure drop, head loss, along with the Reynolds number of the flow for the selected pipe and any alternative pipe.

PIPE HEAT LOSS ESTIMATIONS

Along with the size of pipe there is the rate of heat loss from all the cooper piping that transports the fluid to and from your heat emitters. By taking in to account such things as the type of fluid, flow rate, inlet and outlet temperatures, size and length of the cooper pipe, surrounding air temperature, and thickness and type of pipe insulation we are able to recommend the best solution for your hydronic heating system.

BUFFER TANK SIMULATION AND SIZING

With the buffer tank being located between the heating source and the heat emitters we are able to do simulations with different tank sizes. By applying the r-value of the tank and the temperature of the fluid along with the size of each circuit and the on/off status of them. This enables us to properly calculate the on-times and off-times of the boiler and calculate the heat loss of the buffer tank.

INJECTION MIXING SIMULATIONS

By using a wide range of different variable speed pumps in a direct injection mixing system we are able to simulate the fluid flow rate, fluid temperature, fluid supply temperature and the heat output. We can then optimize your system parameters with the use of balancing valves and determine the optimal pump speed for the designed load.

HEATING COST ESTIMATIONS

By being able to select several different kinds of fuel and knowing what the designed heating load is. We can then enter climate data for your area along with how efficient a particular fuel is when converted into heat by your heat source and come up with some estimates on what heating cost will be for your particular project.

RADIANT LOOP DRAWINGS

With our state-of-the-art software we are able to properly balance the loop lengths in a zone to within 5% enabling the flow rates and heat that is radiated to be balanced. By starting with your floor plans and knowing where your control room is we are able to place the manifolds in the proper position for the joist system that you are using. Which allows us to accurately draw the loop layouts for each room even if they are oddly shaped. When a room requires loops that are variably spaced because windows or kitchens with islands we are able to make those adjustments. By being able to return your drawings in Cad format or a PDF file, you or your contractor will know exactly where the tubing loops and manifolds go.