Radiantec’s Closed System uses a high efficiency water heater or boiler to heat water or another heating fluid such as anti-freeze. The heating fluid is self contained within the system and stays there unless removed for maintenance – completely separate from the domestic hot water. When radiant heat is called for by the thermostat, a pump comes on and circulates the warm water throughout the radiant floor until the thermostat is satisfied.
CLOSED SYSTEM
ADVANTAGES
- Very well accepted by code officials because the domestic hot water is completely separate.
- Easy to have a combination of high temperature applications such as baseboard and low temperature applications such as radiant heat.
- Mechanically very simple.
- Anti-freeze can be used if desired.
- Having redundant systems can be beneficial; if your radiant heat fails, you still have hot water for showering and vice versa
CLOSED SYSTEM
ISSUES
- Slightly more expensive than the Open Direct System because you need a separate water heater for domestic purposes.
- Free cooling benefit is eliminated
- Oxygen barrier tubing is often required if a boiler is used.
- The system may not be quite as efficient if a boiler is used. See water heater vs. boiler