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lisa310ar

Tankless water heater for radiant heating

4 years ago

The gas water heater for my radiant heating is nearing the end of its life, and I was told by a HVAC tech that I could replace this heater and my house electric water heater with 1 gas tankless water heater. The radiant heating is in the sunroom section of my house with the pex tubing on a concrete slab. The water heater has antifreeze in it. I was not around for the construction and do not know many more details. I have 2 questions. 1st - Does the radiant heating system need antifreeze in the water? I have read many differing opinions. 2nd - Will 1 tankless unit produce enough hot water and pressure to handle both the radiant heating and the household hot water needs? Has anyone in this discussion group taken a similar path? Any pitfalls I need to know?

Comments (3)

  • 4 years ago

    Your radiant system doesn't need antifreeze in the water, and your car radiator doesn't needed it but it's sure handy to have if the temperature of either dip below 32 degrees.


    The water pressure doesn't come from any water heater, it comes from the city. What ever pressure the city maintains in the line will your water pressure.

    A tankless water can be purchased to handle radiant and domestic hot water and uses a priority configuration. This would switch all the hot water made in the heater to supply hot water before letting the hot water go to the radiant floor.

    many discussions take place on houzz all the time. If you google "tankless water heater houzz" you'll find dozens.

    There are pitfalls using a tankless water heaters. Not to supply both domestic hot water and radiant heating but other minor pitfalls using a tankless system.

    lisa310ar thanked outpaientzero
  • 4 years ago

    “I have 2 questions. 1st - Does the radiant heating system need antifreeze in the water?”

    Yes, if you want to protect your imbedded radiant loops from freezing and ruin - if you live in a cold climate.

    “Will 1 tankless unit produce enough hot water and pressure to handle both the radiant heating and the household hot water needs?”

    Yes, but it has to be properly designed by a professional that knows what they are doing. It’s a very specialized professional that can do this and get it right to not only work but to work properly, reliably and efficiently.

    IMPO

    SR

    lisa310ar thanked fsq4cw
  • 4 years ago

    fsq4cw has previously demonstrated his knowledge as someone who works in the HVAC industry. Consider his suggestions as being informed ones.

    lisa310ar thanked Elmer J Fudd