Hydronic Radiant Heating in an appartment

[dudky]

Hello everybody,
I am new in doityourself and all the heating/plumbing... problems, because recently I purchase my 1st apt.
My apartment on the first floor, above garage, around 700 sf. Regular temp in the apt is around 75 but floor is around 60. Now, I am ready to start any project to make my floors wormer. I have heating from the building (batteries with hot water), so I understand, that I can connect a radiant system to the hot water pipe, which will eliminate boiler. Is this correct, and what exactly I need to do that.
Thank you for your advice.

[NJ Trooper]

Dudky, you have confused me.

I believe this may be because you have a misunderstanding.

What are "BATTERIES WITH HOT WATER" ? this is what I do not understand your meaning.

You will still need to keep your boiler. This is where the heated water for any heating system will come from.

It is not an easy do it yourself job to install the radiant heating. There is much to learn in order that the system is properly designed to perform as you want it to.

[gilmorrie]

Your apartment is rented or owned? Here in the Midwest, an apartment is rented not owned. I understand in the Northeast, that terminology is different?

If you are renting, you dasn't start changing the heating system.

If your apartment is warm enough, why worry about the floor temperature? And, if the floor temp is a concern, it might be more cost effective to install carpeting or add insulation in the ceiling of the garage below your apartment.
Doug

[dudky]

Hi,
Thanks for a quick reply.
I own my apartment. This is coop and my maintenance include the heating, so we have a common boiler for a whole building (50 apts). I am going to install a new hardwood floor, also I am thinking to install a radiant heating system.

TO NJ Trooper - I understand that this is not an easy to do, but I believe I can do it. I am in process of collecting information. Over the internet, I found a lot of websites with information how to install and what to buy (for example on ebay - Electric Radiant Floor Heating Boiler Panel FPP-14 - eBay (item 300268041272 end time Jan-19-09 19:59:36 PST) or Radiant Floor Heating - Over-floor Packages | Eagle Mountain | RadiantMax) , but I didn't find any information, if I have a boiler(hot water pipe in my apartment) how I can design this kind of system.

Again
Thanks a lot and sorry for my English

[Who]

dudky, are you able to get full access to insulate under your floor? Without enough insulation under your radiant floor you'll be losing a lot of your heat to the garage.

[sminker]

check out these guys for some ideas Radiant heat with hydronic and electric radiant floor heating, and snow melt systems from Watts Radiant. are you allowed to extend the hot water into the floor with radiant,and is the co-op aware you are thinking of this.....just asking.

[NJ Trooper]

I think that without ENGINEERING DESIGN and DRAWINGS AND PLANS, that your co-op association will not let you change that. Since the boiler is COMMON to all residents, they will be VERY hesitant to approve that work. If they DO approve the plans, they will probably require that the work be completed by a LICENSED person. Unlikely that they will allow a DIY installation.

[sminker]

basically your going to be using more BTUs(heat to you) supplied by them,and they will have something to say about this.extending heated water away from the source isn't popular,and to allow a contractor in might be very touchy $$$ as in an envelope.it can be compared to installing a window unit in the window OK, or under the window thru a wall not OK