Radiant Heat Pressure Testing

PEX tubing is durable and rarely leaks, but it's possible for the heavy equipment at hectic job sites to damage exposed PEX prior to the concrete pour. As a result, it’s always wise to pressure test PEX tubing before the pour takes place. This prevents a worst-case scenario of discovering a leak after the tubing is embedded.

To test the pressure, just attach a pressure gauge and Schrader valve to either the supply or return side of the manifold(s) with the proper fitting, cap off the other side, and fill the system with air. There are no leaks in the tubing if it can hold 60-75 psi for 24 hours. SupplyHouse.com carries Uponor’s E6122000 pressure test kit, as well as the 3610005 kit for Mr. PEX radiant heat manifolds.

Get the A.O. Smith Mobile App

A.O. Smith’s new “A.O. Smith Warranty Check App” is a useful resource for plumbers and contractors with access to Apple or Android mobile devices. The app, which can be downloaded for free at A.O. Smith’s website, the iTunes Store, or the Android Market, allows users to view warranty and manufacturing information on any A.O. Smith residential or commercial water heater. SupplyHouse.com is your source for A.O. Smith water heaters and replacement parts.

Save 5% on Aqua-Pure

Aqua-Pure water filters from 3M can purify the drinking water in your home. Save 5% on select Aqua-Pure items through March 29 at SupplyHouse.com with code WATER. Take advantage of this opportunity to stock up on replacement cartridges or purchase a new system.

PEX Cutting Tools

PEX tubing cutters ensure that you get the even and straight cuts necessary for making secure PEX fitting connections. You should always use a cutter designed specifically for PEX rather than a generic tube cutter. SupplyHouse offers a variety of PEX cutters from several different manufacturers.

Takagi Outdoor Tankless Heaters

Takagi tankless water heaters provide efficient management of hot water. These gas-fired units require proper venting and discharge, but this task is simpler for outdoor units. For T-KJr and T-K3 units, an outdoor vent cap is all that’s needed. Just place it on top of the unit to prevent water and debris from entering the heater. Takagi’s outdoor water heaters feature freeze protection technology, but they are only designed for installation in warm, temperate climates.

Visit SupplyHouse.com to browse our selection of tankless water heaters and Takagi products.

Ecobee Thermostats

Ecobee thermostats, now for sale at SupplyHouse.com, offer a modern solution for home comfort. Smart thermostats connect to an equipment interface module to link wirelessly with other system components. WiFi gives users access to a web portal where they can change thermostat settings, see system alerts, and view reports on system energy usage. Free iPhone and Android apps are also available, and enable remote access to the system.

Radiant Heat Manifold Actuators

Loop Actuators for Radiant Heat Manifolds are the only way to set up multiple zones on a single manifold. See below a list of the actuators that are compatible with SupplyHouse.com's heating manifolds.

• Uponor TruFLOW: A3020416 two-wire thermal actuator, A3010522 four-wire actuator, or A3020522 motorized actuator + A2630028 adapter

• Uponor EP: A3020416 two-wire thermal actuator + A2671300 adapter, A3010522 four-wire actuator + A2671300 adapter

• Rifeng/Mr. PEX: MA-ACT two-wire actuator or MP700 four-wire actuator

Radiant Heating systems contain at least one loop/circuit, or run of tubing from a supply manifold back to the return. Manifolds can be separated into zones (areas controlled by a dedicated thermostat) with circulator pumps or zones valves. When a project calls for a single manifold containing more than on zone, loop actuators are the only solution. A zone can contain more than one circuit/actuator.

Grease Trap Sizing

SupplyHouse offers a basic grease trap calculator in our Resource Center. It multiplies the volume of sinks by .003 to determine the required GPM of the interceptor, and cuts this number in half for installations with very low levels of grease. Canplas has a more detailed sizing calculator that allows users to enter multiple sinks simultaneously and account for several other factors.

Wilo Check Flanges

Check valves stop the flow of heat to unwanted areas in hydronic heating systems. They can be installed in-line, but circulators with internal flow checks save the hassle and expense of an extra part. While some circulator pump manufacturers place their flow checks inside the circulator, Wilo puts them in flanges. Available at SupplyHouse in 3/4”, 1”, and 1-1/4” sizes, one flange in each set contains a check valve that accomplishes the same task as one installed in the line or in the circulator.

Sale on Grundfos Circulator Pumps

Grundfos is the world’s largest manufacturer of circulator pumps. Their products have been serving heating systems around the world for decades. This week, save on select Grundfos products at SupplyHouse.com with the discount code CIRCPUMP. It’s the perfect way to stock up or bring in a back-up pump for next heating season.

Maximum Radiant Heat Water Temps

In-floor hydronic radiant heat systems, due to their configuration, require relatively low water temperatures to provide comfort and meet setpoint temperatures. These systems heat surfaces rather than air. Depending on a variety of factors, water temperatures anywhere between 70°F and 170°F may be required. "High-temperature" hydronic designs (baseboards, etc.) generally call for water closer to 180°F.

The temperature needed in each room should be accounted for in the design of any radiant heating system. Keep these rules of thumb in mind: do not exceed 150°F water temperatures for any installation, except those in which the tubing hangs in a joist bay. Floor surface temperatures above 87.5°F can cause discomfort and burn bare feet. Wood floors can be damaged if surface temperatures get above 82°F, although this figure may vary by floor manufacturer.

Bradford White Serial Numbers

If you have a Bradford White water heater in your home, it’s easy to determine the age of the unit. Just look at the first two letters in the serial number. The first letter indicates the year of manufacture, as indicated below.

A = 2004
B = 2005
C = 2006
D = 2007
E = 2008
F = 2009
G = 2010
H = 2011
J = 2012
K = 1993
L = 1994
M = 1995
N = 1996
P = 1997
S = 1998
T = 1999
W = 2000
X = 2001
Y = 2002
Z = 2003

The second letter gives the month of manufacture, using A through M for January through December, and skipping the letter I. For more information, including the serial number’s location, visit Bradford White’s website. To purchase a new Bradford White water heater, visit SupplyHouse.com.

Punch & Pull PEX Packaging

Uponor’s Punch & Pull packaging reduces waste material while improving on installation and storage processes for plumbing and heating applications. The plastic film shrink wrap is included with all hePEX and AquaPEX 5/16” to 1” coils in 100, 250, 300, 400, 500, and 1,000 foot lengths. Just “punch” out the center of the packaging, “pull” out the PEX tubing you need, and slide the remaining end back into the center of the coil.

Uponor's WIPEX Fittings

Finding PEX tubing in large sizes is easier than finding the right fittings. While Uponor offers ProPEX fittings in up to 2” sizes, crimp and clamp fittings only go up to 1”. Uponor’s WIPEX fittings offer a solution. These fittings connect to PEX tubing with a compression-type connection, have male threads on the opposite side, and are available in sizes up to 4”. Dezincification-resistant brass makes up these fittings, and allows them to be buried (even in aggressive soil). Visit SupplyHouse.com for more information.

Beacon Morris Hose Kit

Kickspace heaters provide hydronic heating in tight areas where there’s no room for a complete radiator. Perfect for bathrooms and kitchens, kickspace heaters use a blower to fill the room with warmth from the hydronic line. SupplyHouse.com is proud to carry the Beacon Morris line of kickspace heaters.

The flexible hose kit for Beacon Morris kickspace heaters makes installation and maintenance easier. The kit is designed for installations in spaces where it may be difficult to run or solder copper lines. Additionally, the hose gives the unit increased flexibility and access for cleaning and maintenance.

SDR-9 PEX Tubing

All of the PEX tubing sold on SupplyHouse.com meets SDR-9 standards. This “standard dimension ratio” ensures that PEX tubing from different manufacturers has the same outside and inside diameters. Consequently, the same PEX fittings work with any SDR-9 tubing (with the exception of expansion-type fittings, which are only compatible with PEX-A). The dimensions below reflect the standard dimensions for typical sizes of PEX. They are different for PEX-AL-PEX.

• 1/4” - 0.241” ID; 0.375” (3/8”) OD
• 3/8” - 0.350 ID; 0.500 (1/2”) OD
• 1/2” - 0.475” ID; 0.625 (5/8”) OD
• 5/8” - 0.574” ID; 0.750 (3/4”) OD
• 3/4” - 0.671” ID; 0.875” (7/8”) OD
• 1” - 0.862” ID; 1.125” (1-1/8”) OD
• 1-1/4” - 1.054” ID; 1.375 (1-3/8”) OD
• 1-1/2” - 1.244” ID; 1.625 (1-5/8”) OD

Radiant Heat = Lower Temperatures

In-floor radiant heat systems provide warmth in a unique way. While forced air and standard hydronic systems create convection currents to heat the air, radiant heat systems heat objects (floor, furniture, bodies, etc.). As a result, radiant heat systems can achieve the same comfort levels at lower air temperatures (generally 65°F to 68°F) than standard systems that are set at 70°F. Visit SupplyHouse.com for a full selection of radiant heat products.

Honeywell T87 Range Stops

The mechanical current versions of Honeywell’s classic T87 “Round” thermostat come in three configurations: heat only, heat/cool, and large display heat/cool. Each of these models features a range stop option (available separately). The range stop sets a defined temperature range within which the thermostat can be set. It's a simple way to conserve energy and to stop unwanted changes in temperature.

Tools for Large ProPEX Fittings

The M18 ProPEX expansion tool from Milwaukee is perfect for making expansion-type connections with large PEX tubing. Compatible with PEX-A grade tubing and ProPEX fittings, the M18 is the only tool currently manufactured that makes 1-1/4” and 1-1/2” ProPEX connections. The tool works with existing Milwaukee M18 batteries and accessories. If you don’t have an M18 tool, get the tool kit (which includes the tool, batteries, a charger, grease, a carrying case, and heads in 1”, 1-1/4”, and 1-1/2” sizes).

For 2” ProPEX fittings, Uponor only offers one compatible tool.

Advantages of Radiant Heat

Most people know that an in-floor radiant heat system makes floors warm and pleasant to walk on, but these systems offer other advantages that often go unnoticed. These include:

• Quiet operation
• No visible or breakable components in the living space (vents, baseboards, etc.)
• Increased efficiency. Hydronic radiant heat systems can achieve the comfort levels equivalent to those of traditional hydronic systems with lower room air temperatures and lower water temperatures.
• Expedited drying of wet floors (especially crucial near building entryways)

Visit SupplyHouse.com to browse our selection of radiant heat products.

Save on Ball Valves

HydroValve full port ball valves are available at SupplyHouse.com with sweat and threaded connections, in sizes ranging from 1/2” to 4”. Save even more on these affordable valves this month, with special box prices through Friday March 16th.