author: Radiant Panel Association

This consensus document of the radiant industry sets guidelines for design and installation. It is intended for reference use by building inspectors, code officials, radiant system designers and installers, and to improve design and installation quality. The main sections include:

- Radiant Heating Design Guidelines
- Hydronic Radiant Installation Guidelines
- Hydronic Floor Heating
- Equipment Requirements
- Electric Radiant Design and Installation
- Hydronic Snow/Ice Melt Design and Installation
- Electric Snow/Ice Melt Design and Installation
- Thermal Bed Snow/Ice Melt Design and Installation

155 full color pages, file size 11.4 Megs
Completely rewritten incorporating the latest technology in hydronic radiant heating.
author: John Siegenthaler

Intended for those who have a basic knowledge of such systems, but seek to expand the design capabilities, as well as learn how to optimize the performance of existing systems.

The goal is to help radiant heating professionals make good systems into great systems! Doing so requires attention to detail, as well as an in-depth understanding of advanced thermal, hydraulic, electrical and control concepts. This publication “distills” complex theory from several of these disciplines into practical design information.

Running the Numbers
Have you ever heard the expression “run the numbers” as part of a discussion on proper design of hydronic radiant panel heating systems (or any other type of heating system for that matter)? It’s a vitally important step in deciding the viability of design details such as tube spacing, circulator sizing and proper control settings. Without running the numbers, designers have little more than past experience combined with luck to ensure that thousands of dollars worth of heating hardware will work properly as a system. It’s a risk that’s not wise to take.

Like its predecessor, the second edition of Radiant Precision embraces the need for radiant heating professionals to run the numbers as they create the plans for reliable and efficient systems that deliver unsurpassed comfort. To that end, it presents dozens of formulas and associated data that can be used to simulate the thermal and hydraulic performance of a wide range of hydronic radiant panels. Such information is the basis for answering the countless “what if?” scenarios that arise as a system is first conceptualized and then sized.

IF YOU PREFER, EACH SECTION MAY BE ORDERED SEPARATELY:
SECTION ONE: Mixing Strategies for Radiant Panel Systems
SECTION TWO: Radiant Floor Panel Circuit Sizing
SECTION THREE: Hydronic Mixing Fundamentals
SECTION FOUR: Mixing Assemblies
SECTION FIVE: Outdoor Reset Control
SECTION SIX: Distribution System Operation & Design
SECTION SEVEN: Multi-Load/Multi- Temperature Systems
SECTION EIGHT: Specialty Topics
SECTION NINE: Basic Control Theory
Each section also comes with: Basic Hydronic Circuit Analysis / The Basics of Switches & Relays / Schematic Symbols

144 full color pages, file size 11.8 Megs

authors: John Siegenthaler and Lawrence Drake

This RPA course manual covers radiant heating and cooling theory for both hydronic and electric floor, wall and ceiling systems. It includes equipment selection, application and installation. Designed as a foundational course for the radiant field technician.

80 full color pages, file size 11.7Megs

author: Lawrence Drake

The second in the RPA course material series, this manual deals with heat load estimates, radiant floor design and system sizing, documentation, air quality and specifying. It is a fundamental course for the radiant designer. RADIANT I is recommended as a prerequisite.

184 full color pages, file size 4.3 Megs

authors: John Siegenthaler and Lawrence Drake

his book provides information of specific interest to architects and builders. It draws heavily from material in the Radiant I Heating & Cooling and Radiant II Heating & Cooling manuals. It is a complete and comprehensive book in the basics of radiant panel heating for residential and light commercial buildings utilizing hydronic and electric floor, wall and ceiling panels as viewed by the architect. Well illustrated with photos, drawings, schematics, examples and case studies. It is designed to give the architect or builder a clear understanding of the various systems available, how they can be applied to buildings, and the sequencing of the construction and installation process.

Introduction to Radiant Heating

29 pages, file size 3.5 Megs
Excerpts for Radiant Basics, "A basic course for radiant panel heating systems"
author: John Siegenthaler

What is Radiant Heating?
Explaining Thermal Comfort
Advantages of Radiant Panel Heating (floors, walls and ceilings)
A Brief History of Radiant Panel Heating

ADDITIONAL SECTIONS MAY BE ORDERED SEPARATELY: Radiant Basics Section 2 - Example Systems
Radiant Basics Section 3 - Hydronic Radiant Panel Systems
Radiant Basics Section 4 - Components and Installation Methods
Radiant Basics Section 5 - Electric Radiant Panel Systems
Radiant Basics Section 6 - Cooling and Air Quality
Radiant Basics Section 7 - Panel Covering (floor covering)
Radiant Basics Section 8 - Design Concepts
Radiant Basics Section 9 - Specifying and Sequencing

Example Systems

43 pages, file size 6.8 Megs
Excerpts for Radiant Basics, "A basic course for radiant panel heating systems"
author: John Siegenthaler

Introduction
Residential Systems
Case Study 1: Slab-on Grade
Case Study 2: Thin-slab
Case Study 3: Panel Radiator Retrofit
Case Study 4: Embedded Electric Cable
Case Study 5: Radiant with Geothermal Heat Pump
Case Study 6: Radiant with 4-Way Mixing Valve
Case Study 7: Radiant with Injection Mixing
Case Study 8: Electric Radiant Floor and Ceiling

Hydronic Radiant Panel Systems

43 pages, file size 3.5 Megs
Excerpts for Radiant Basics, "A basic course for radiant panel heating systems"
author: John Siegenthaler

Introduction
Slab-on-grade systems
Thin-slab systems
Plate systems and sandwich method
Suspended tube systems
Engineered subfloor and board systems
Ceiling heating
Ceiling panel radiators
Wall heating
Wall panels

Components and Installation Methods

87 pages, file size 6.4 Megs
Excerpts for Radiant Basics, "A basic course for radiant panel heating systems"
author: John Siegenthaler

Introduction
Tubing options
Circuit layout considerations
Tubing installation procedures
Pumps, distribution piping, and controls
Hydronic heat sources

Electric Radiant Panel Systems

29 pages, file size 2.8 Megs
Excerpts for Radiant Basics, "A basic course for radiant panel heating systems"
author: John Siegenthaler

Introduction
Evaluating electric usage
Electric heating formulas
Thin-film electric panels
Embedded cable/mat systems
Rigid electric ceiling panels
Self-regulating PTC cables and elements
General precautions

Cooling and Air Quality

25 pages, file size 2.8 Megs
Excerpts for Radiant Basics, "A basic course for radiant panel heating systems"
author: John Siegenthaler

Introduction
Ventilation and indoor air quality
Evaporative cooling for arid climates
High-velocity systems
Ductless Systems
Conventional air conditioning
Radiant cooling
Hybrid solutions

Panel Covering (floor coverings)

27 pages, file size 2.8 Megs
Excerpts for Radiant Basics, "A basic course for radiant panel heating systems"
author: John Siegenthaler

Introduction
Flooring considerations
Wood flooring
Ceramic tile
Carpet and pad
Resilient flooring
Summary

Design Concepts

35 pages, file size 2.9 Megs
Excerpts for Radiant Basics, "A basic course for radiant panel heating systems"
author: John Siegenthaler

Introduction
Estimating heating load
Concept of heat flux
Design procedure
System documentation
Piping symbols

Specifying and Sequencing

39 pages, file size 4.1 Megs
Excerpts for Radiant Basics, "A basic course for radiant panel heating systems"
author: John Siegenthaler

Introduction
Specifying radiant heating Construction sequencing Summary

Thermal & Hydraulic Performance of Hydronic Radiant Panels

29 pages, file size 2.7 Megs

Heat Transfer Considerations / Heat Flux / Model For Heat Output of a Radiant Panel Circuit / Temperature Drop Along a Radiant Panel Cirruit / The Effect of Flow Rate on Circuit Temperature Drop / Calculating Heat Output / Head Loss / Head and Differential Pressure / Electrical Operating Cost / Tubing Depth and Thermal Performance / Tubing Diameter and Thermal Performance / Tube Spacing Thermal Performance

Includes Appendix: Basic Hydronic Circuit Analysis / The Basics of Switches and Relays / Schematic Symbols

Radiant Floor Panel Circuit Sizing

25 pages, file size 2.2 Megs

Preliminary Considerations / Step By Step Circuit Sizing Procedure

Includes Appendix: Basic Hydronic Circuit Analysis / The Basics of Switches and Relays / Schematic Symbols

Hydronic Mixing Fundamentals

26 pages, file size 2.9 Megs

Mixing Theory /Concept Of A Mixing Assembly / Purpose(s) Of Mixing Assemblies In Radiant Panel Systems / Boiler Protection / When Is A Mixing Assembly Required?

Includes Appendix: Basic Hydronic Circuit Analysis / The Basics of Switches and Relays / Schematic Symbols

Mixing Assemblies

32 pages, file size 2.8 Megs

Mixing With 3-Way Thermostatic Valves / Mixing With 3-way Motorized Valves / Mixing with 4-way Motorized Valves / Fundamentals of Injection Mixing / Injection Mixing With 2-way Modulating Valves / Injection Mixing With A Variable Speed Pump

Includes Appendix: Basic Hydronic Circuit Analysis / The Basics of Switches and Relays / Schematic Symbols

Outdoor Reset Control

26 pages, file size 2.4 Megs

Benefits Of Outdoor Reset Control / Theory Of Outdoor Reset Control / Boiler Reset Control / Mixing Reset Control / Proportional Reset Control

Includes Appendix: Basic Hydronic Circuit Analysis / The Basics of Switches and Relays / Schematic Symbols

Distribution System Operation & Design

40 pages, file size 3.8 Megs

The Relationship Between Heat Source And Distribution System / Manifold Configurations / Differential Pressure Control / 2-Pipe Distribution Systems / Homerun Distribution Systems / Hydraulic Separation Including Primary-Secondary Distribution Systems / Minitube Distribution System

Includes Appendix: Basic Hydronic Circuit Analysis / The Basics of Switches and Relays / Schematic Symbols

Multi-Load/Multi-Temperature Systems

27 pages, file size 2.7 Megs

Multiple Boiler Systems / Combining Radiant Heating And Domestic Water Heating / Multiple Temperature Radiant Heating Systems / Combining Radiant Heating With Other Hydronic Loads / Prioritized Load Shedding

Includes Appendix: Basic Hydronic Circuit Analysis / The Basics of Switches and Relays / Schematic Symbols

Specialty Topics

32 pages, file size 3.6 Megs

Buffer Tank Piping And Sizing / Communicating-Internet Accessible Control Basics / Sizing Expansion Tanks In Radiant Systems / Combining Geothermal Heat Pumps With Hydronic Radiant Panels / Combining Solar Collectors With Hydronic Radiant Panels

Includes Appendix: Basic Hydronic Circuit Analysis / The Basics of Switches and Relays / Schematic Symbols

Basic Control Theory

21 pages, file size 2.1 Megs

Closed-loop Control Systems / Control Algorithms / Two-position Control / Pulse Width Modulation Control / Floating (Tri-state) Control / Proportional (P) Control / Proportional-Integral (PI) Control / Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) Control

Includes Appendix: Basic Hydronic Circuit Analysis / The Basics of Switches and Relays / Schematic Symbols