[A/S] Radiant Heat

[Dick and Kris Parins <dkparins@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I am familiar with radiant heat in houses -- virtually noise free and
possibly more resistant to having the heat blow out the window than a hot
air system.  Also fewer allergy problems and less of a tendency to dry your
skin, lips etc. but:  Pex is state of the art and is considered freeze
resistant but I wouldn't intentionally let it freeze with water in it.  I'm
told that running antifreeze reduces the efficiency by about 30%.  But the
option is to run it continuously whenever temps threaten to drop below
freezing or drain the system.  In a residential system they put in some kind
of water treatment which makes draining not very attractive.

Then there is the added weight.  The patterned subfloor for the Pex must be
5/8 inch and a solid subfloor would be added over that.  Add that to the
original floor and you're hauling around probably 1 and 5/8 inches of
plywood plus the extra water.  I don't think you can use the same water in
your sink as the floor so you need a second water heater or a heat
exchanger.

So even though I am a big fan of radiant heat I don't think hot water
radiant would be practical in an Airstream which moves.  But if you want to
preserve your reverie when you have an electric hookup you could consider
the electrical grids made for bathroom floors.  Power requirements may make
them impractical but they are absolutely quiet.  Of course if you have the
power hookup you could try electric baseboard.  They are not as satisfactory
as the in-floor stuff but they are simple, cheap, lightweight and quiet.

Dick