Can a Water Heater Be Used for Radiant Floor Heating?
When most homeowners think about a water heater, they think about hot showers, washing dishes and doing laundry. But in some homes, a properly designed water-heating system can do much more. A water heater can also be part of a system that provides comfortable radiant in-floor heating.
At Vincent Plumbing & Heating, we specialize in water heater replacement throughout Waukesha County and southeastern Wisconsin, including more complex installations where the water heater is used for both domestic hot water and radiant floor heating.
Recently, we replaced a leaking 75-gallon power-vent water heater that was serving both purposes. Because this wasn’t an ordinary water heater replacement, our plumbers incorporated an external heat exchanger into the new system.
Here’s how these systems work and why having a plumber who understands both water heaters and radiant heating matters.
How Does Radiant Floor Heating Work?
Radiant floor heating is different from a traditional forced-air furnace. Instead of blowing warm air through ductwork, a hydronic radiant system circulates heated water through tubing installed beneath or within the floor. The heat from the water warms the floor, and that warmth radiates upward into the room. Many homeowners love radiant heat because it provides a comfortable, even warmth without relying solely on forced air. The system still needs a source of heat for that circulating water. Depending on how a home and its mechanical systems are designed, a water heater may be used as that heat source.
Can One Water Heater Provide Hot Water AND Radiant Heat?
In an appropriately designed system, a water heater can be used to provide domestic hot water while also supplying heat for a radiant floor system. But this isn’t as simple as running one pipe to the shower and another pipe to the floor. Domestic hot water is the water your family uses at faucets, showers and appliances. The radiant heating side is part of the home’s heating system. One method of handling a dual-use application is an external heat exchanger.
What Does an External Heat Exchanger Do?
A heat exchanger does exactly what its name suggests: it transfers heat from one circuit to another without directly mixing the water in the two circuits. Hot water on one side of the heat exchanger transfers its thermal energy through the exchanger to the radiant heating circuit on the other side. The radiant system can then circulate that heat through the floor.
This makes an external heat exchanger an important component in certain water heater/radiant floor heating configurations. It also means that replacing the water heater in one of these homes requires considerably more knowledge than performing a standard tank replacement.
A Recent 75-Gallon Power-Vent Water Heater Replacement
One of our recent projects is a great example.
The home’s existing water heater had developed a leak. However, this wasn’t simply the homeowner’s source of hot water—the water heater was also being used in connection with the home’s radiant floor heating system. Our plumbers needed to consider the entire system before replacing the tank.
The completed installation included a 75-gallon power-vent water heater and an external heat exchanger, allowing the new water-heating system to serve the home’s domestic hot-water needs while also providing a heat source for the radiant floor system. This is the type of project where experience matters. A homeowner searching for a replacement may initially think, “I just need another water heater.” But if that water heater is connected to radiant floor heating, replacing it isn’t necessarily a standard water-heater changeout.
Why Can’t You Just Replace It With the Same Size Water Heater?
Water heater size is only one part of the equation. When a water heater is serving a dual purpose, a plumber needs to consider the home’s domestic hot-water demand as well as the requirements of the heating system. The type of water heater matters, too.
For example, a power-vent water heater uses a powered fan to exhaust combustion gases from the water heater to the exterior. Its installation and venting requirements are different from those of a conventional atmospheric gas water heater.
That’s why Vincent Plumbing evaluates the existing equipment and installation rather than assuming that simply replacing the old tank with another tank of the same size is automatically the best solution.
Signs Your Water Heater May Need Replacement
If your water heater is part of your radiant heating system, it’s especially important to pay attention to signs that it’s nearing the end of its useful life. Water around the base of the tank, visible corrosion, inconsistent hot water, unusual noises or an older tank that has begun leaking should all be investigated. A leaking tank can eventually become a much larger leak. And when the water heater also plays a role in heating your home, a failure can be considerably more inconvenient than simply losing hot water. If you know your water heater is connected to your radiant floors, tell us when you call. That helps us understand what type of system we’re dealing with before arriving at your home.
Not Every Plumber Regularly Works With These Systems
Standard water heater replacement is one of the most common residential plumbing jobs. Combination systems involving water heaters, radiant floor heating, circulators, power venting and external heat exchangers are more specialized. That’s an important distinction when choosing a plumbing contractor.
At Vincent Plumbing & Heating, we don’t just replace the tank and ignore everything connected to it. Our licensed plumbers can evaluate how the water heater is being used and determine an appropriate replacement for the application.
We work with conventional gas and electric water heaters, power-vent models, tankless water heaters and specialized water-heating applications.
Radiant Floor Heating & Water Heater Specialists in Waukesha County
Vincent Plumbing & Heating is a family-owned plumbing company with more than 30 years of experience serving homeowners in southeastern Wisconsin.
We provide water heater replacement and plumbing services throughout Mukwonago, Waukesha, Oconomowoc, Muskego, New Berlin, Brookfield, Pewaukee, Hartland, Delafield, Eagle and surrounding Waukesha County communities.
Whether you have a straightforward leaking water heater or a more complex system that also supplies your radiant floor heating, our goal is to look at the complete system and provide the right solution for your home.
Is Your Water Heater Leaking?
Don’t wait until a small water heater leak becomes a flooded basement—or until you suddenly lose both hot water and the heat source for your radiant floors.
Call Vincent Plumbing & Heating for water heater replacement in Waukesha County.
From traditional water heater replacements to 75-gallon power-vent water heaters, radiant floor heating systems and external heat exchangers, we’re equipped to handle the jobs that aren’t always a simple tank swap.
Vincent Plumbing & Heating
Water Heater Replacement • Radiant Floor Heating • Heat Exchangers • Power-Vent Water Heaters
Need a Water Heater Quote?
Call Vincent Plumbing & Heating today or request a water heater replacement quote online.
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