The Bigger the Better – By that, we mean a couple things:
It’s easier to heat a large space than a small space. Quick example – 1,200 Sq.Ft. stand-alone slab on grade building with a ThermaRay Thermal Mass Floor Heating System Electric Radiant Heating Products | Thermaray Heating Solutions installed typically requires 10-12 Watts/Sq.Ft., maybe more depending on the location, type of building, use, R-Values, etc. In contrast, a 100,000 Sq.Ft. building typically requires 5-8 Watts/Sq.Ft. A larger thermal mass basically becomes a self-sustaining city unto itself. Once it’s fully energized, the thermal mass is better suited to maintain indoor temperatures with lower and sustained outdoor temperatures during the heating season. Same is true for smaller spaces as well, but the performance of a large thermal mass with lower watts per square foot is even more impressive.
Larger the Thermal Mass, the more heat stored and the lower the operating costs. The tubing industry will tell you that if you don’t put insulation under the heating system (Tubes, Mats, Panels, Cables, Etc.), you will lose all that generated heat to the earth. However, physics tells us that heat can only transfer to colder temperatures. It can’t migrate when the temperature is equal or higher than the generated temperature. Floor Heat Panels warm up but as heat goes away from the heating panel, the temperature gets lower and lower until it reaches a temperature equal to itself which is the temperature of the earth (around 54 degrees) and then it can’t travel any further.
If the system never shut off it would continue to drive the heat down, but when the sensor/thermostat/space are satisfied it stops the heat from being driven down. Heat is then stored like a fuel cell and released up into the space, as necessary. Thermal Mass systems typically create a 24”– 30” deep. Simply put – If you take a large rock and a small rock out of a fire, the large rock will hold the heat longer. The Bigger the thermal mass, the lower the operating costs. Again, The Bigger the Better.
Rule of Thumb
The bigger the better and more complicated a space is to heat, the Better ThermaRay radiant heating systems perform. High sidewalls, exponential glass, multiple dock doors, high-volume air exchanges, etc. are not conducive or even natural for forced air heating systems. Hot air rises and cold air falls and typical HVAC systems must account for the entire volume of that space. ThermaRay Radiant heating Systems heat people and objects, not air.
We are only concerned with the bottom 6’ so the people and space are comfortable, not what’s happening from 6” – 50’. Radiant systems work with physics while forced-air systems are literally trying to “force” the heat down to the areas and people that need it.
Building Example
In 2014 we met with the owner (Troy) of Design Ready Controls. Troy was going to build a new 100,000 Sq.Ft. office, manufacturing and assembly facility in Brooklyn Park, MN. Design Ready Controls – Brooklyn Park, MN – Premier Energy USA He had already hired an engineering firm to give their recommendations. Recommendations not only on how to build, but to operate his new building most efficiently. Troy had heard about the ThermaRay Heating Systems from a local rep firm. At Troy’s request the engineering firm contacted us to include and compare our Thermal Mass Heating System as an option in their report.
We spent a few hours with one of the engineers and received the report a few weeks later. After the report came out, we received a call requesting a meeting with the Troy. We obviously agreed and after pleasantries the first question Troy asked us was “What did we think about the report ?” Homepage – Design Ready Controls
Opinion & Actual Results
Our opinion was harsh “If the other conclusions in the report were as far off as it relates to the ThermaRay System, then it was a total waste of his money”. It was a 42-page report which along with many other recommendations compared the ThermaRay’s Thermal Mass System to natural gas hydronic and rooftop forced air systems. The report said that each heating system would cost approximately the same to operate ($96,000 per heating season).
We talked extensively about how Thermal Mass and radiant heat really work along with other benefits such as: No maintenance or replacement, cleaner, healthier, quiet, level of comfort, efficiencies, etc. In addition, and based on our experience, history, and calculations, we showed him that the ThermaRay heating system would cost less than $30,000 to operate per heating season.
He decided that day to go with the ThermaRay thermal mass system and for 7 Seasons now has never had a heating season over $30,000. Many seasons were considerably less. As we were leaving our first meeting with Troy, he said to us “By the way, I paid $27,000 for that report”. We responded, “That’s OK, we will save you more than that on the first heating season”. To date, we’ve saved Troy close to a half million dollars in operating costs compared to what the report estimated. https://youtu.be/sSchl5vyVEY
Time & Money
Design Ready Controls Installation (104,000 Sq.Ft.) began on a Friday at noon and was done by the following Monday at noon. The crew did work all weekend, but it literally only took 8-10 hours on the production schedule to install the entire heating system. The hydronic system was estimated to take 4-6 weeks and the Styrofoam insulation typically required would have been an additional $100,000 not including labor. That would be $200k-300k at today’s prices. Recently, we completed an installation for a 30,000 Sq.Ft. building was started and finished on the same day, also only taking 8 hours day on the schedule.
Additional Features & Benefits:
- Considerably less space required in mechanical room vs. hydronic (Tubing) systems.
- Qualifies for the Off-Peak program offered by almost all the power companies in Minnesota. Most hydronic systems do not qualify, but it depends on the power supplier.
- Initial material cost is less to install compared to hydronic. Typically, a quarter to half the cost for installation.
- 35% – 70% less cost to operate vs. hydronic or forced air. Depends on the power source, but even lower operating cost than those using natural gas as a source.
- Save Exponentially on Styrofoam insulation (Materials only, not including labor). Not required for our thermal mass system, but typically associated with hydronic systems.
- Simple Installation – Fraction of the time vs. tubing
- Healthiest Environment
- Maintenance Free
- No eventual repair or replacement of parts like is associated with a hydronic system.
- Lowest overall lifetime cost vs. “Any” other heating system.
- Quiet
- No moving parts
- Unlimited control options. From simple to remote access point for entire home and up to Wi-Fi accessible from your phone
- Not only an Invisible heating system , but we have options so that you don’t see thermostats in any room. Very clean and aesthetically pleasing.
- Qualifies for up to 15 LEED Points.
- 45+ Year stellar track record with no failed systems
Bottom Line
Thermal Mass Floor Heating System with the control options and programs available are an unbeatable combination and can easily interface with any other HVAC, Lighting and Security equipment and systems.
