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[Roger2561]

Hi all, I have a 3 zone hydronic heating system utilizing baseboard in 2 of the zones and a wall hung heater with a blower for my kitchen.  The square footage of my kitchen is approx. 360 sq ft.  It's an old farmhouse circa 1840's.  The wall hung unit works okay if you want to heat the ceiling.  The problem I have is that the floor is very cold due to it being above a crawl space with 4 foot frost walls with 2 inch ridged foam insulation inside and outside of the wall.  The floor is uninsulated and the crawlspace is unheated.  Due to the heating unit providing heat to the ceiling (Ceiling is low hanging, no room for a ceiling fan) and the floor being so cold, this zone runs twice as much as the common room which is 750sq ft base board just to keep it warm.  I'm wondering if I should invest in radiant heat for the kitchen.  I know it will be pricey but I can do most of the work myself.  I simply do not know what I need for material nor do I know how to accomplish this task.  Has anyone tried to retrofit something this to old farmhouse and how successful were you?  Thanks, Roger

[RSI]

The easiest might be just install some hydronic toe kick heaters under some of the cabinets.

[Roger2561]

The easiest might be just install some hydronic toe kick heaters under some of the cabinets.

Well, heck, why didn't I think of that?  That's a great idea!  Thanks!  Roger

[willieG]

roger, someone else put this site in a message earlier..great reading.  for what you want i think it has most of the information you need. it is pricy i think but well worth it.

http://www.radiantcompany.com/details/joists.shtml

[Roger2561]

roger, someone else put this site in a message earlier..great reading.  for what you want i think it has most of the information you need. it is pricy i think but well worth it.

http://www.radiantcompany.com/details/joists.shtml

willieg - thanks for the site.  You're right, great reading.  Roger

[MattyNH]

I have a kick space heater under were my  kitchen sink is..work slick..Fan turns on..pumps the heat out..Highly recommend it..

[Bull]

Would it work to put some more insulation on the craw space walls and then put the kitchen heater down there?

[Roger2561]

I have a kick space heater under were my  kitchen sink is..work slick..Fan turns on..pumps the heat out..Highly recommend it..

MattyNH, Your approach is simpler and I won't have to crawl around on my back installing PEX when I can work in the warmth and comfort of my kitchen to install the toe kick heaters.

Thanks for the ideas everyone.  Roger

[Trint]

Was in a similar situation as you cica 1860's farm house with 400 sqft kitichen and had to either replace the baseboard of install radiant.  Decided to install 23 ft of baseboard and avoid all the crawling to install radiant as my crawl space is only 1.5-3ft and the wood would have been pleanty hard to get screws into, it was enough crawling just to run the tube to the baseboards.

[muffin]

Would it work to put some more insulation on the craw space walls and then put the kitchen heater down there?

I am confused by your crawlspace insulation.  I thought you were supposed to let the crawlspace breath.  It sounds like you have it locked up pretty tight.  Are you not running the risk of moisture damage?

[tbone]

wow, I posted a similar thread under general discussion.  From what ive read on the net...You should not insulate the floor in an unvented crawlspace as you will develop moisure issures.  I believe I am going to insulate my poured foundation walls (just not sure how).....I might add radiat to the floor with transfer plates between the joists during the off season....but like you, the working conditions will not be pleasant.  I will probably change my mind pending my insulation project.