Radiant Heat Floors

Are you considering doing or in the midst of a home remodel? Have you ever walked on heated floors?? Amazing.

In this article from Remodelista, find out what Radiant Heat Floors are and what to consider before installing.

Remodeling 101: 5 Things to Know About Radiant Floor Heating by Christine Chang Hanway 

Issue 46 · All in the Family · November 20, 2014

Can anyone resist the sensation of walking barefoot on a heated floor? If you’re just embarking on a renovation or building a new house, consider installing radiant heating (also known as underfloor heating), an energy-efficient way to keep warm throughout the cold months. As an architect who has supervised and survived many remodels, I have experienced radiant floor heating in other people’s houses and covet it in my own. Here’s the lowdown on the subject: Read on if you’re ready to rip up your floors in the name of cost-effective, energy-efficient heat.

1. What is radiant floor heating?

Invented by the engineering-savvy ancient Romans, who had slaves fanning wood-burning fires under elevated marble floors, radiant floor heating is an under-the-floor heating system that conducts heat through the floor surface rather than through the air (as in conventional forced-air heating systems).

Above: Imagine waking up and putting your bare feet on warm oak floorboards every morning in the winter. Photograph via Dinesen.

2. How does radiant floor heating work?

The two most common types of radiant-floor heating systems are electric (heat via electric wires) and hydronic (heat via hot water tubes), both of which are buried underneath the floor. Here’s how the two compare: Electric radiant-floor heating systems are easier and more affordable to install, but more expensive to operate, making them ideal for heating small areas. Hydronic systems are less expensive to operate, so they work well for large floor areas and even entire houses. The caveat is that they come with higher initial costs because they’re more complicated to install and require heated water from a boiler or a water heater. For more on the pros and cons of each system and which might be better suited to you, see Radiant Floor Heating: Electric vs. Hydronic by San Francisco contractor Jeff King of Jeff King & Company, a member of the Remodelista Architect and Designer Directory.

Above L: An electric wire system being installed in a bathroom. Photograph via Maud Plantiga on Flickr. Above R: A hydronic system waiting for the flooring to be installed. Photograph via Triangle Tube.

3. What are the pros of radiant floor heating?

Not only does radiant floor heating keep your toes warm, but it ensures that the rest of your body will be kept at a comfortable temperature as well. Waves of infrared radiation rising from the floor warm up the building mass, insuring that heat isn’t lost to surrounding surfaces. In a conventional forced-air heating system, heated air (along with dust and allergens) rises to the ceiling and drops back down as its temperature lowers, making it difficult to keep your toes warm even if everything above your shoulders is boiling. “We experience pure warmth with radiant floor heating. As we heat up from our feet, we stay warmer at a lower temperature,” says contractor Jeff King. Delivering heat and comfort efficiently, what’s not to love?

Above: The diagram on the left illustrates the principle of radiant floor heating in which heated surfaces transmit heat to all surrounding objects. There is no loss of heat because everything is at the same temperature. The diagram on the right illustrates how heated air in a conventional forced-air system rises to the ceiling and then comes back down as cool air. This explains how you can still be cold when the thermostat says 72 degrees. Diagram via Sustainability Workshop.

4. What are the cons of radiant floor heating?

A radiant-floor heating system is difficult to install after a floor is already in place, and it’s really only feasible if you’re prepared to remove your floors or are building a new house. While there are new products, such as electric radiant pads, that can be installed between the joists underneath your floor, they require access from below via a basement or crawl space. Lack of one or the other is a deal breaker.

Above: Stone tiles work well with radiant floor heating because of the material’s thermal conducting properties. Shown here, rough-hewn stone tiles in a bathroom by Atelier Am of Los Angeles. Photograph via Mark D. Sikes.

5. Which flooring materials work best with radiant heat?

While all flooring materials can be used with heated floors, some work more effectively than others. Some general rules of thumb: Materials with thermal-conducting properties (stone, concrete, ceramic tile) conduct, transfer, and hold heat effectively while withstanding high temperatures. Solid wood floors can shrink and expand with fluctuating temperatures leaving unsightly gaps. If you’re in love with wood floors, however, an experienced wood-floor installer will be able to manage potential shrinkage. Vinyl and plastic laminate floors also come with temperature limitations, while carpets have insulating properties that potentially reduce heat flow.

Above: Polished concrete floors with radiant floor heating warm a house converted from a horse stable by AR Design Studio. See Manor House Stables, A Champion’s Home Reborn for more. Photograph via AR Design Studio.

 

Is Your Home Winter-Ready?

Pa Ingalls would have been splitting logs while wading through snowdrifts this time of year. Your job is way easier, especially with these 10 pro tips for protecting your property.

By Liz Zack (originally from Real Simple magazine)

1. Insulate pipes
Any exposed pipe that runs along a wall or is in an unheated area (a basement or a crawl space, for example) is a potential hazard. The water inside can freeze and cause the pipe to burst when temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. “It’s easy to protect them with pipe insulation. Get it at the hardware store—it looks like a giant piece of spaghetti with a slit,” says Lou Manfredini, the host of HouseSmarts. “Cut it to fit the length of the pipe, wrap it around, then secure with duct tape if needed.”

2. Inspect tree branches
Scan your property for branches growing over the house, garage, driveway, or power lines. During a storm, those could come down and cause major damage. Branches rubbing together can also lead to breakage. Look for signs of dead limbs, too: dead leaves that remain attached after the rest of the tree has shed, many smooth areas that are missing bark, or spots where mushrooms have sprouted. If you see anything suspicious, call an arborist for an evaluation.

3. Clean out gutters
If they’re clogged with leaves, the debris can freeze into a big, icy mass, which could get under shingles and damage the roof. Get a tall ladder and work gloves, and scoop out the debris so water can drain. “Make sure you’re comfortable on a ladder and have a buddy with you to help support it,” says Manfredini. A leaf blower can speed things up, but you may still need to use your hands to finish the job. Prefer to call in a handyman? The service typically takes about two hours.

4. Prevent door locks from freezing
If you’ve ever had this problem or you live in a super-cold climate, spray a little powdered-graphite lubricant into each door lock (where the key goes), then turn the key in the lock. The powder (sold at hardware stores) lubricates the pins inside the lock to prevent sticking. Do this once a season.

5. Drain sprinklers
If you have an outdoor sprinkler system, it’s smart to remove any residual water before the first freeze so it doesn’t expand and crack the pipes. Your best bet is to hire an irrigation contractor to blow out the water using compressed air. If you prefer to give it a shot yourself, consult the manufacturer’s website. (Directions vary by system.) Generally the process involves shutting off the water source, then opening the drain valves located at the lowest part of the irrigation system (usually in the basement) to allow water to drain.

6. Cut back perennials
It’s fine to keep some intact. Those with a pretty shape (coneflowers, ornamental grass) look nice even in winter. But most deciduous perennials—plants that shed their leaves annually (like asters, irises, and lilies)—do best with an aggressive trim, says Jennifer G. Horn, a landscape architect in Washington, D.C. Using clippers or a hedge trimmer, cut plants to two to three inches above the ground. Not only does this make your garden look tidier but it also eliminates potential homes for harmful insects, who like to hide out, then surface during spring growth.

7. Mulch flower beds
Sometime before the coldest winter temps hit, add a layer of hardwood mulch to all your flower beds. “Mulching at this time of year helps regulate changes in soil temperature,” says Horn. The mulch acts as insulation, buffering the plants from brutally low temperatures to come. Without it, roots are vulnerable to significant damage and the plants could die.

8. Block drafts
Hold a lit candle along each windowsill and baseboard. See it flicker? That signals a draft—and for each draft that you eliminate, you can increase your home’s energy-efficiency, says Manfredini. For baseboards, clean and dry the area with a paper towel. Then, using white or clear paintable caulking, fill in gaps between the trim and the floor with an even bead. Smooth with a wet finger, then remove the excess with a damp cloth. To seal drafty windows and doors, use weather stripping (around the frame) or window-film kits (over the glass; both available at hardware stores).

9. Get the fireplace cleaned
If you use a wood-burning fireplace more than six times a year, you should have it professionally cleaned and inspected by a certified chimney sweep annually, because built-up creosote and soot can ignite, says Paul Sullivan of the National Association of Home Builders Remodelers. If you almost never use your fireplace or have a gas one (cleaner-burning than wood), an inspection every three years is sufficient.

10. Have the furnace checked
At the beginning of winter, hire an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) contractor to make sure your furnace or boiler is operating safely and efficiently. “The pro will pull apart the burners, inspect all the contacts and sensors, and replace the filter,” says Manfredini. To keep the appliance running well, inspect the filter monthly (it slides in), and replace it when it turns brown or black. Stick with a pleated version, which has more particle-trapping surface area than a flat filter.

Preventative Maintenance Plans

Prevent Halloween tricks by treating yourself to an HVAC Preventative Maintenance Plan. Give us a call to schedule a maintenance visit.

HVAC maintenance enables you to begin the heating and cooling seasons with reliable and efficient service from your home comfort equipment. There are numerous benefits that result from regular preventive care, including:

• Improved efficiency – annual efficiency loss for normal system use can be 5 percent or more, and a tune-up can counteract this loss.
• Identification of faulty parts – a mechanical system experiences wear over time, and regular HVAC maintenance allows for worn out or broken parts to be repaired or replaced as needed.
• Averting system problems – regular maintenance can reduce the potential for a later breakdown by as much as 95 percent. While it is impossible to avoid all HVAC repair situations, preventive care can save a lot of money on unanticipated heating and cooling emergencies.
• HVAC safety – heating equipment that operates through the combustion of fuel can pose a safety risk through carbon monoxide leaks, making annual inspections a crucial safety measure for your household.
• Longevity of your equipment – you can expect approximately 14 years of service from a heat pump or air conditioner and approximately 20 years of service from a furnace. Regular maintenance reduces the risk of early equipment failures and costly upgrade needs.

Through the optimization of your equipment and the early identification of problems, your maintenance plan allows you to be proactive in managing your home comfort levels throughout the year.

Fall and Winter Energy Saving Tips

(Article from http://www.EnergySaver.gov)

This article will help you find strategies to help you save energy during the cool fall and cold winter months. Some of the tips below are free and can be used on a daily basis to increase your savings; others are simple and inexpensive actions you can take to ensure maximum savings through the winter.

If you haven’t already, conduct an energy assessment to find out where you can save the most, and consider making a larger investment for long-term energy savings.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HEAT FROM THE SUN

• Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.

COVER DRAFTY WINDOWS

• Use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a frame or tape clear plastic film to the inside of your window frames during the cold winter months. Make sure the plastic is sealed tightly to the frame to help reduce infiltration.
• Install tight-fitting, insulating drapes or shades on windows that feel drafty after weatherizing.
  Find out about other window treatments and coverings that can improve energy efficiency.

ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE

• When you are home and awake, set your thermostat as low as is comfortable.
• When you are asleep or out of the house, turn your thermostat back 10° to 15° for eight hours and save around 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills. A programmable thermostat can make it easy to set back your temperature.
  Find out how to operate your thermostat for maximum energy savings.

FIND AND SEAL LEAKS

• Seal the air leaks around utility cut-throughs for pipes (“plumbing penetrations”), gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets.
  Find out how to detect air leaks.
  Learn more about air sealing new and existing homes.
• Add caulk or weatherstripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows.
  Find out how to select and apply the appropriate caulk.
  Learn how to select and apply weatherstripping.

MAINTAIN YOUR HEATING SYSTEMS

• Schedule service for your heating system.
  Find out what maintenance is required to keep your heating system operating efficiently.
• Furnaces: Replace your furnace filter once a month or as needed.
  Find out more about maintaining your furnace or boiler.
• Wood- and Pellet-Burning Heaters: Clean the flue vent regularly and clean the inside of the appliance with a wire brush periodically to ensure that your home is heated efficiently.
  Find other maintenance recommendations for wood- and pellet-burning appliances.

REDUCE HEAT LOSS FROM THE FIREPLACE

• Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Keeping the damper open is like keeping a window wide open during the winter; it allows warm air to go right up the chimney.
• When you use the fireplace, reduce heat loss by opening dampers in the bottom of the firebox (if provided) or open the nearest window slightly–approximately 1 inch–and close doors leading into the room. Lower the thermostat setting to between 50° and 55°F.
• If you never use your fireplace, plug and seal the chimney flue.
• If you do use the fireplace, install tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system that blows warmed air back into the room.
• Check the seal on the fireplace flue damper and make it as snug as possible.
• Purchase grates made of C-shaped metal tubes to draw cool room air into the fireplace and circulate warm air back into the room.
• Add caulking around the fireplace hearth.
  Find out more techniques to improve your fireplace or wood-burning appliance’s efficiency.
  Learn tips for safe and efficient fireplace installation and wood burning.

LOWER YOUR WATER HEATING COSTS

Water heating accounts for about 18% of the energy consumed in your home.

• Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). You’ll not only save energy, you’ll avoid scalding your hands.
  Find other strategies for energy-efficient water heating.

LOWER YOUR HOLIDAY LIGHTING COSTS

• Use light-emitting diode — or “LED” — holiday light strings to reduce the cost of decorating your home for the winter holidays.
  Learn about the advantages and potential cost savings of LED holiday light strings.
  Find manufacturers and brands of ENERGY STAR®-qualified decorative light strings.

Thank You to Our Customers

It is unquestionable our job can get rather gross, but reviews like this make it so worth it!! THANK YOU to all of our customers.

“The ONLY HVAC/Plumbing contractor we will every use!!! After years of having some major, local name companies perform service on our system and never really seeing a result we were told by a friend and neighbor to call McMackin Mechanical.  After 10 minutes of being in our house Phil detected the problem, had the solution and corrected the issue.  The house was running at 100%!  Since that first service call, we contracted McMackin Mechanical to convert our heat pump to a back-up propane system.  The system kicks on to propane heat when the air outside is 45 or below and a heat pump is basically useless!  They zoned our system using Bluetooth technology and connected to a whole house generator so we NEVER are without heat even during outages.  Any issues/concerns/questions are answered quickly and are informative.  Their service is EXCELLENT!  5 stars not enough – 10+ more like it!”  — Sheila B.

Cool Breeze

Did you turn off your air conditioner this past weekend when the weather cooled? Did you turn it back on this week when the weather steamed up or are you sweating it out?
For efficiency, set your thermostat higher at night when the weather is cooler and lower (around 70) during the day as it heats up.
The crispness of fall will return soon.

Reduce Energy and Lower Your Bills

You can take some steps to reduce the amount of energy that you’re using and lower your utility bills:

::Turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees during the Winter or 78 degrees during the Summer.
::Replace or clean furnace filters as recommended. Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy use.
::Keeping your furnace clean, lubricated and properly adjusted will reduce energy use, saving up to 5 percent of heating costs.
::Reduce hot water temperature. Set your water heater to the “normal” setting or 120-degrees Fahrenheit, unless the owner’s manual for your dishwasher requires a higher setting. Savings are 7-11 percent of water heating costs.
::Seal up the leaks. Caulk leaks around windows and doors. Look for places where you have pipes, vents or electrical conduits that go through the wall, ceiling or floor. Check the bathroom, underneath the kitchen sink, pipes inside a closet, etc. If you find a gap at the point where the pipe or vents goes through the wall, seal it up. Caulk works best on small gaps. Your hardware store should have products to close the larger gaps.
::Consider replacing your old gas appliances with an ENERGY STAR® water heater or furnace.

Replace your filter, save money

When was the last time you had your HVAC filter replaced?? Replacing dusty filters with fresh filters is simple and cost effective preventative maintenance to keep the air quality and temperature in your home just right.

The heat is on…

The summer is finally starting to wind down, and even though the daytime temperatures are just as hot as ever, many homeowners are starting to think about what they need to do before turning on the furnace. And nope, it isn’t too early to start thinking about this — in fact, getting your HVAC system up and running now, before you’re even thinking about turning on your heat, is the best way to make sure that everything is running smoothly.