A hydronic radiant system consists of warm or cool water flowing through flexible PEX tubing embedded in the floor or in radiant panels. Radiant systems use the structure and surfaces of an area to transfer energy. In radiant heating applications, the energy moves away from the heated surface toward the cooler area; for radiant cooling, the energy moves towards the cooled surface from the warmer area. Radiant heating and cooling applications are among the most efficient and technologically sound atmospheric systems used in commercial structures today—as we’ll see with a closer look at two new components.
COST-EFFECTIVE AND DURABLE STAINLESS-STEEL MANIFOLD
For residential and commercial radiant heating and cooling applications, a stainless-steel manifold offers a flexible and durable solution that also makes economic sense in the short and long term. The stainless-steel manifold is a new addition to Uponor’s radiant manifold line and was designed to be a customer-focused, cost-effective, pre-assembled metal alternative.
Tony Radcliff, vice president of marking, offerings, and engineering at Uponor, adds, “Now professionals can choose from our comprehensive offering of stainless-steel, engineered polymer (EP) or TruFLOW™ brass manifolds to meet any radiant application need.”
Pre-assembled right out of the box, the manifold provides contractors with faster installs and also offers greater material cost savings—in line with Uponor’s history of plumbing, fire safety, radiant heating/cooling, hydronic distribution piping, and pre-insulated piping systems for residential and commercial applications.
Made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel, the manifold is available in 1 and 1-¼ inch (25.4 to 31.75 millimeter) sizes in 2 through 8, 10, and 12 loop configurations. It features integrated flow meters for easy system balancing, full-port ball valves with temperature gauges, and balancing and isolation valves for complete loop isolation.
PEX-a Pipe Support is a galvanized steel channel that provides continuous support of PEX in suspended piping applications, enabling hanger spacing similar to that of copper or steel pipe.
PEX-A PIPE SUPPORT FOR COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
Also available is the PEX-a Pipe Support in sizes up to 3-½ inches (88.9 millimeters) for suspended piping applications in commercial plumbing and hydronic distribution piping systems.
Uponor PEX-a Pipe Support is a galvanized steel channel that provides continuous support of PEX in suspended piping applications, enabling hanger spacing similar to that of copper or steel pipe. The product is available in 9-foot (2.74 meter) lengths for PEX pipe sizes ranging from ½ to 3-½ inches (12.7 to 88.9 millimeters) and comes with nylon-coated, stainless-steel strapping to secure the pipe to the support.
“We are continuing to see impressive growth in commercial PEX piping systems for both plumbing and hydronic distribution piping applications,” says Radcliff. “Offering our PEX-a Pipe Support in larger sizes allows professionals a wider range of offerings to incorporate PEX systems into more of their commercial projects.”
BENEFITS OF RADIANT HEATING AND COOLING
Combined low-temperature heating and high-temperature cooling integrated with the use of alternative energy sources make radiant the ultimate in low-energy building solutions. Because water has 3500 times more energy-transport capacity than air, radiant is also fast becoming the energy-efficient alternative to forced-air systems. Radiant also helps building professionals acquire LEED® (or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design—an incentive programmed backed by the U.S. Green Building Council) for New Construction (LEED-NC) points in environment and atmosphere, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design.
For more than forty years, Uponor has been committed to improving and implementing radiant heating and cooling systems throughout commercial application. The first to bring radiant heating to North America, Uponor continues to provide improvements to hydronic radiant system design and application.
About the Author
Mark Hudoba is the director of heating and cooling for Uponor. For homeowners, installers, architects, engineers, builders, developers, building owners and consultants, Uponor is your professional partner for PEX plumbing, radiant heating/cooling, hydronic distribution, pre-insulated pipe and fire sprinkler systems for residential and commercial structures worldwide. For more information, visit www.uponor-usa.com.
MODERN PUMPING TODAY, October 2014
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