Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Considerring this heating system
| Considerring this heating system [message #239947] |
Thu, 13 February 2014 22:19  |
corleyw
Messages: 130
Registered: June 2007
Location: Battle Ground, WA
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I recently built a house with radiant floor heat. (Geothermal heat pump, hydronic system.) We absolutely LOVE the floor heat, it is more comfortable than anything else we've ever had. Anyway, I discovered this electric floor heat system, and am considering putting it in the GMC MH. http://www.speedheat.us/ It probably would not be enough heat for any severe weather, but it sure would be nice to have a warm floor. It's actually not that expensive, nor difficult to install.
I should explain that we mostly camp at RV parks where we have full hookups, so electricity is always available and free. Also, our furnace went south a couple years back, and I removed it, and went to a couple small electric heaters at that time. Again, the electricity is free, and the heaters have worked very well. I just think the warm floor would be a nice feature. I also have a wall mounted catalytic heater in case we are off the grid, but I don't like it and I've never needed it. (O2 depletion issues worry me)
So, what do you think, would this floor heat be enough to warm the floor in the coach in 40-50 degree weather??? I'd use two pads, one for the hallway, and one for the larger front area. They go under the carpeting. (We are fully carpeted)
Link: http://www.speedheat.us/
PS: By the way, I don't think I'd ever be able to install a new furnace, as my wife moved stuff into that space right away, and is not about to give it up.
PS/2: I have another heating / cooling idea, but I'll start a different thread for it later on. Think repackaged mini-split.
Corley
'76 Glenbrook
29 other vehicles
[Updated on: Thu, 13 February 2014 22:25] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Considerring this heating system [message #239962 is a reply to message #239947] |
Fri, 14 February 2014 02:19  |
mickeysss
Messages: 1476
Registered: January 2012
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this stuff looks good.
when you figure out your size let us know the price for you area chosen. Please Mickey anaheim ca. 77 palm beach
On Feb 13, 2014, at 8:19 PM, Corley Wooldridge wrote:
>
>
> I recently built a house with radiant floor heat. (Geothermal heat pump, hydronic system.) We absolutely LOVE the floor heat, it is more comfortable than anything else we've ever had. Anyway, I discovered this electric floor heat system, and am considering putting it in the GMC MH. http://www.speedheat.us/ It probably would not be enough heat for any severe weather, but it sure would be nice to have a warm floor. It's actually not that expensive, nor difficult to install.
>
> I should explain that we mostly camp at RV parks where we have full hookups, so electricity is always available and free. Also, our furnace went south a couple years back, and I removed it, and went to a couple small electric heaters at that time. Again, the electricity is free, and the heaters have worked very well. I just think the warm floor would be a nice feature. I also have a wall mounted catalytic heater in case we are off the grid, but I don't like it and I've never needed it. (O2 depletion issues worry me)
>
> So, what do you think, would this floor heat be enough to warm the floor in the coach in 40-50 degree weather??? I'd use two pads, one for the hallway, and one for the larger front area.
>
> Link: http://www.speedheat.us/
> --
> Corley
> '76 Glenbrook
> 29 other vehicles
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| Re: [GMCnet] Considerring this heating system [message #239966 is a reply to message #239962] |
Fri, 14 February 2014 06:13 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
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While it is a a good idea, I am worried about installing it under carpet. Carpet is a pretty good insulator while the wood floor underneath it is not. How much heat will you get through that carpet and how much will be lost underneath to the floor?
We have in the floor heating in the shop at the airport hangar. It does very well, but the floor is painted concrete and is heated by hot water.
I wonder if you wouldn't be better using radiant baseboard heating on top of the carpet.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Considerring this heating system [message #239983 is a reply to message #239966] |
Fri, 14 February 2014 08:34 |
corleyw
Messages: 130
Registered: June 2007
Location: Battle Ground, WA
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Ken,
I used pex water lines through the floor of my new home, for heat. I have found that where I have rugs laying on it, the heat comes through very well. I'm sure the MH would loose some heat through the floor, but remember, it's radiant, and radiates in all directions. Since it is sold to go under a carpet, I assume it should work pretty well under the carpet. They do say it should be on top of the pad with would give it some bottom insulation.
Corley
'76 Glenbrook
29 other vehicles
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| Re: Considerring this heating system [message #240006 is a reply to message #239947] |
Fri, 14 February 2014 09:30 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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we just built a new shop at work with in floor heat, we get to move in next week! there is specific carpet materials that we were told to purchase that were speced to be compatible with the in floor heat.
not sure what is so different, but I know research has shown that you are supposed to choose certain carpet types with the in floor heat.
the only thing I see with the GMC, is the issue of insulating under the floor. usually an in-floor heat in a house, has a barrier(foam and even dirt under the concrete), causing as little heat loss down as possible. in tiled areas, usually they install some sort of insulator down. In the GMC, I would think there would be a pretty good heat loss. there is always things to help that, but also cost more money.
I have thought about putting just a small area of in floor in mine, but cost keeps me away, I can't justify it. Even if the in floor heat is not your source to keep the coach at temperature inside, it sure would be nice to stand on warm floors, dry boots and shoes, and any other water that you drag in or spill.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: Considerring this heating system [message #240008 is a reply to message #240006] |
Fri, 14 February 2014 09:47 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
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When we poured the concrete floor we put 4" thick blue Styrofoam for the 1st 4 feet from the out side walls. The next 4 feet in we put 2" Styrofoam. Also we buried 2 feet vertical Styrofoam all around the perimeter of the slab.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Considerring this heating system [message #240017 is a reply to message #240006] |
Fri, 14 February 2014 10:26 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
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""the only thing I see with the GMC, is the issue of insulating under the floor. usually an in-floor heat in a house, has a barrier(foam and even dirt under the concrete), causing as little heat loss down as possible. in tiled areas, usually they install some sort of insulator down. In the GMC, I would think there would be a pretty good heat loss. there is always things to help that, but also cost more money.
""
Doesn't the GMC already have underfloor insulation with an aluminum layer "below" it?
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: Considerring this heating system [message #240046 is a reply to message #239947] |
Fri, 14 February 2014 14:56 |
zhagrieb
Messages: 676
Registered: August 2009
Location: Portland Oregon
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Our leaky GMC's came with furnaces generating 25-35,000 BTU. That's what it took to warm the interior on a really cold day. If you start your planning with a more modest 20,000, thats 5800 watts or 26 amps at 220 volts.
Of the Speedheat units you mention, the 5x7, probably the one you'd choose for the living room, puts out 370 watts. the "runner" size, for the hall, puts out 65. They would warm your toes but not much more.
If you could install 5800 watts of heat on your floor I think you'd find it a tad too toasty to walk on.
JMHO, Glenn
Glenn Giere, Portland OR, K7GAG
'73 "Moby the Motorhome" 26'
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| Re: Considerring this heating system [message #240050 is a reply to message #240046] |
Fri, 14 February 2014 15:46 |
jknezek
Messages: 1057
Registered: December 2007
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| zhagrieb wrote on Fri, 14 February 2014 15:56 |
Our leaky GMC's came with furnaces generating 25-35,000 BTU. That's what it took to warm the interior on a really cold day. If you start your planning with a more modest 20,000, thats 5800 watts or 26 amps at 220 volts.
Of the Speedheat units you mention, the 5x7, probably the one you'd choose for the living room, puts out 370 watts. the "runner" size, for the hall, puts out 65. They would warm your toes but not much more.
If you could install 5800 watts of heat on your floor I think you'd find it a tad too toasty to walk on.
JMHO, Glenn
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Thanks. This is exactly the info I was looking for.
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
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| Re: [GMCnet] Considerring this heating system [message #240077 is a reply to message #240051] |
Fri, 14 February 2014 20:19 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
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| USAussie wrote on Fri, 14 February 2014 14:47 |
Corley,
Have you considered adding a heating element to your roof A/C?
I have two Dometic Brisk Air roof A/C units. They are both equipped with a 1500 watt heating element. I use them to take the chill
out of the air and work quite well down to the temperatures you're talking about.
The downside is that there is no thermal control on them, once switched on they stay on no matter how warm it gets in the GMC.
Coming up with a thermal control unit for it wouldn't be difficult with help from the GMCnet but it's way down on the GMC
round-to-it list.
Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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I second that Rob. There have been some negative comments about the heat strips but I find them very effective.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Considerring this heating system [message #240109 is a reply to message #240099] |
Fri, 14 February 2014 22:59 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
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Mike,
What you've noted below is correct in theory in practice it isn't that simple.
I may be wrong but I reckon a rheostat that could handle 1500 watts would be a pretty big unit and it would have to be set and
adjusted as the temperature in the GMC changed.
The thermostats in houses do not control the power supply directly to the heating elements; I believe they do it through a relay(s).
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: mike foster
Install the proper size rheostat on the heating element or a thermostat like the one in your house. Our GMC has a thermostat on the
gas heater but the fan bearing is shot plus it is under the bench where our granddaughter sleeps and we have not needed it yet.
But, truth be known we keep our house on 60 degrees f during the winter so it might not be a problem for us during summer months.
USAussie wrote on Fri, 14 February 2014 15:47
> Corley,
>
> Have you considered adding a heating element to your roof A/C?
>
> I have two Dometic Brisk Air roof A/C units. They are both equipped with a 1500 watt heating element. I use them to take the chill
> out of the air and work quite well down to the temperatures you're talking about.
>
> The downside is that there is no thermal control on them, once switched on they stay on no matter how warm it gets in the GMC.
> Coming up with a thermal control unit for it wouldn't be difficult with help from the GMCnet but it's way down on the GMC
> round-to-it list.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> Sydney, Australia
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: Considerring this heating system [message #240410 is a reply to message #239947] |
Tue, 18 February 2014 19:18 |
corleyw
Messages: 130
Registered: June 2007
Location: Battle Ground, WA
Karma: 0
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Putting heat out at the ceiling makes about as much sense as, well, nothing. Besides, I hate all the noise the Roof A/C makes, due to the fast running / noisy blower they use. We've been using a small electric heater, and it works just fine, is much quieter, with less air movement. Moving air cools you, so you don't want a lot of that for heat.
Putting heat in the floor gets it where you really want it, to a) heat your feet (if you feet are warm, you are warm), and b) heat rises. If you have never had a home with floor heat, you have really missed the most comfortable heating ever.
I realize the units I found are too small for all the heat needed in cold weather, and would require assistance. However, if anyone knows of other units that could be used, please let me know.
I installed a 450watt under floor heat in the bathroom of our beach house, and it heats up the bathroom with no problem down to below freezing temps. Funny thing, the bathroom heats up the bedroom also! It's very slow to come up to temp. but it does the job nicely. That house has no insulation under that floor...
Corley
'76 Glenbrook
29 other vehicles
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| Re: Considerring this heating system [message #240413 is a reply to message #239947] |
Tue, 18 February 2014 19:26 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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Would probably keep the fuel tanks nice and warm... 
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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