Competency F2: Radiant Systems

For at least the last three decades, radiant floor panel systems have replaced baseboard wallfin convectors as the hydronic system of choice in residential construction. Prior to the advent of polybutylene and PeX tubing, radiant floor panels using copper and steel were much more expensive to install, and the science behind the design of these systems was still very much in the development stage. Today, there are a number of resources that can be tapped into for hydronic heat loss and radiant panel design. Methods have been proven and software is readily available that makes the whole process of design much easier than ever before. In this section we will identify the different types of radiant systems, their design considerations and the components within them.