BUILDING UNDERFLOOR HEATING USING A “POWER SHOWER” – POSSIBLE OR NUTS?

It’s just an idea, but would not this work: My home is built on pillars, and skirting closes the space underneath it off. I want to weld up a meandering system of pipes in a shut loop, filled with water; and somewhere in the loop, I would install an instant water heater. That heater would heat up the water and keep it pumping around, and since the intake water temperature would be rising ever higher, it could probably run on very tiny energy – maybe low enough to be fed only with a 400W wind turbine?
I’d love to hear your view on this. I know nothing about plumbing or heating, but I am an adventurous guy and will try this sort of stuff unless somebody advises me otherwise – so, if you think I shouldn’t try this, would you please let me know ans also tell me why?
Thanks so much.

Related Posts
Comments (3)

#1 written by artiststree
about 1 year ago

Quote

It’s possible but the instant heater will not circulate the hot water and you will need a pressure release valve to alleviate the pressure from the heated water. All the pipes will have to be wrapped also but my real concern is will the heat from your system still be warm after it makes it’s way through the insulated flooring? Considering that you want the heat in the interior of the house it seems that much of the heat under the house will be wasted. I have a 2000 Sq ft house and heat the whole place with a 1500 watt electric heater in the living room that looks like a wood burning stove and a small cube heater in one bedroom. The ceiling fans distribute the warm air and keep the house just nice. Well we don’t really like it all too hot anyway. Your system is basically like the old radiator systems that heated water and then pumped it around the structure. I think the cost/benefit ratio is too high in order for you to really see a savings factor.
#2 written by Redeft
about 1 year ago

Quote

Just to expand on artiststree’s answer and your idea… If you use regular piping that you “weld” your heat loss will be great from thermal diffusion and it will also require a large amount of energy to heat the pipe. Copper piping would not be much better, just easier to put together. I would suggest investing the money and get yourself some PEX tubing. Very easy to install and manipulate. This is what I did with my radiant floor heating system which I designed and installed. Also even with the skirting around your house a major worry is freezing, unless you live in the south. I used foil faced insulation (foil side facing the tubing) and backed it with another 6 inches of insulation in my crawl space and I still worry. But I’m on top of a mountain in the Catskills(NY).
Good luck if you try!
#3 written by hillbillynamedpossum
about 1 year ago

Quote

it sounds like a good idea till u do the math. first off u need 7 to10 watts of electric heat per square for to heat a house. so assuming no heat loss, 100% heat transfer in the flash heater, and 100% heat transfer from the pipes to the floor and the room above (all impossible) you are gonna need 15 or 20 Kw to heat a 2000 sq ft house.

sorry to rain on your parade,
Possum