How do I hook up a propane 50 gallon hot water heater to serve both domestic and in floor radiant heating?

8 Responses to “How do I hook up a propane 50 gallon hot water heater to serve both domestic and in floor radiant heating?”

1. Art L Says:
   May 15th, 2010 at 2:50 am

   think about your question…….would you want to drink the water that is circulating through the in floor radiant heating system? Plumbing code does not allow a connection between the two. If dollars are flexible here, you can consider a small boiler with a side arm hot water heater which allows hot water to circulate through tubing inside a holding tank for the potable hot water. Or as you mentioned, two separate heating systems will work.

2. callipygenous Says:
   May 15th, 2010 at 2:50 am

   You don’t. Water heaters aren’t designed to supply radiant (thermal mass) heating. What you want is a "boiler."

3. dusty_titus Says:
   May 15th, 2010 at 2:50 am

   Ok – I googled "Radiant Heat floors" and learned that a separate boiler or water heater is used in that application. The water that heats the tubing must be treated (like a car radiator) with a glycol product to inhibit system breakdown. Its a closed system, and a regular water heater used for hot water for baths, kitchen uses is powered by water utility company pumps for water pressure. Please get some professional help here.

4. mr.obvious Says:
   May 15th, 2010 at 2:50 am

   A regular water heater won’t let you do both, They kind you need has a coil of tubing inside the tank, so that the water from what you use for a shower and dishes is separate. The coil has fluid for the radiant heating inside it and is gets warm from the hot water you use for taking a shower. The cold fluid flows through the tubing and as it travels around and around it get hotter before leaving and going through the heating system, then returns for another go around. check out radiantec.com and you will see what I mean. but do shop around, it’s all about saving money and energy.

5. slg70 Says:
   May 15th, 2010 at 2:50 am

   you need 2 water heaters. 40 gallon has enough capacity and work very well for radiant floors.

6. batman08332 Says:
   May 15th, 2010 at 2:50 am

   this is kinda a strange request , but I believe it can be done .we have 80 gallon gas fired water heaters and have a circulator hooked up to run the distance of the building to give tenants hot water with out the wait .you would have to put the circulator on the inlet side right near the fresh water inlet . but you will not be able to shut it down or the water will become stagnate and contaminate your potable water supply and the temperature is a lot lower than a boiler 120 verses 180 but if you like heat all year long i’m sure it will work.gl buy your self a boiler and save yourself a head ache.

7. Dan H Says:
   May 15th, 2010 at 2:50 am

   You can use a water heater for in floor heating applications. It cannot be the same water heater that is used to supply domestic hot water for your house.

   The water heater isn’t really designed to provide heat for radiant heating and it will not provide enough heat in a cold climate for anything other than a supplemental heating system. If this is going to be your only heat, you will be better off using a properly sized propane boiler system for your radiant heating.

8. repairing flooring Says:
   January 2nd, 2012 at 2:42 pm

   repairing flooring…

   [...]How do I hook up a propane 50 gallon hot water heater to serve both domestic and in floor radiant heating? | Heating & Cooling for Home Owners[...]…

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