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Modern Colonial > Episode 4: Radiant Heating System and Ductwork

Installing a Preassembled Whole-House Radiant Heating System

Project: Modern Colonial, Episode 4, Part 1

A new radiant heating system is being installed in the basement in this episode. Bob and Erling Andersen discuss the features of the "Boiler Room in a Box", a new compact, energy-efficient way to heat your home. Upstairs, Bob gets a look at how HVAC ductwork is assembled and run through the attic to an air handler. Finally, Bob takes a tour of a historic doctor's office in the scaled-down colonial Julia Wood House in Falmouth, MA.

Part 1: Installing a Preassembled Whole-House Radiant Heating System: Bob meets with Erling Andersen of AIM (Andersen International Marketing) in the basement of the modern Colonial to discuss the heating system. The Boiler Room in a Box has just arrived in its crate, fully assembled and ready to hang on the wall. Although this gas-fired system has a very small footprint, it has a 175,000 btu boiler and can heat a 4,000 sq. ft. New England home.

The water heated by the boiler is distributed throughout the house in two ways: through radiant baseboard and in-floor radiant tubing. The slimline baseboard is made of aluminum and copper with the water distributed through PEX tubing. In rooms with no space for baseboard, such as the kitchen, the heated water runs through special PEX tubing with an aluminum core that is suspended between the floor joists using plastic nail clips.

Bob points out that the home's structural system comes with pre-drilled holes to facilitate the tubing installation. Once the radiant tubing has been run between all the joists, reflexive insulation is nailed up into each void effectively creating heat ducts between the joists.
Part 2: Tour of the Julia Wood House in Falmouth, MA
Part 3: Running HVAC Ductwork, Part 1
Part 4: Running HVAC Ductwork, Part 2

This project focuses on the construction of a Colonial-style home built with both history and the future in mind. While the 4-bedroom, 4-bath home will have a traditional exterior and interior detailing, the plan will suit the needs of a modern family, including easy-maintenance fireplaces, a great room, master suite, sun room, 3-car garage, and a large walk-out basement with plenty of room for recreation and indoor/outdoor living.

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Episode 9 - Wood Floor Installation
Episode 10 - Interior Wall Panels and Flooring
Episode 11 - Interior Door Installation and Plan Modifications
Episode 12 - Interior Woodwork
Episode 13 - Exterior Landscaping
Episode 14 - Mechanical Systems and Basement Refinishing
Episode 15 - Mechanical Systems and Interior Finishing
Episode 16 - Kitchen Cabinetry and Countertops
Episode 17 - Bedroom Amenities
Episode 18 - Interior Decorating Tour
Episode 19 - Workshops and Woodworking
Episode 20 - Classic Interiors and Cabinet Install
Episode 21 - Wood Floor Finishing
Episode 22 - Interior Craftwork
Episode 23 - Interior Design Projects
Episode 24 - More Interior Design Projects
Episode 25 - Appliance Installation and Furniture Making

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