HVAC intentions

Here's the management summary:

• Radiant heating in the floor on all three levels
• On-demand water heater
• Fireplace on the main level (more for ambiance and entertainment, but it will provide some heat).

Normally, this would be pretty much be the end of the post, but I have a few interesting circumstances that make my choices, especially for in-floor, radiant heating a little less obvious.

Gas Situation

There's no natural or propane gas in the street, so if I wanted to use gas I have to install a propane tank. BUT the cabin is inaccessible to drive-up traffic from November through June. And  I *REALLY* don't like the idea of running out of propane for critical systems like heat (to keep pipes from freezing!)

I am planning on a 500 gal propane tank that we fill once a season to power a gas cook top and the hotwater heater. Although, I still may end-up using electricity for the water heater. That would let me get a smaller propane tank, since it would only be supplying the cook-top. Which then leads me to think, why not forgo the propane (and the associated cost) altogether, and go 100% electric? Inductive cook top and on-demand, electric water heater. My thoughts are muddled. My wife and I are spoiled with our gas cook top at home. Oooh. Aaah.

Electricity Situation

I am planning on the radiant heat to be all electric for the reasons stated above. This will be installed in/below poured 1" concrete (the heavy stuff), not quickcrete (the light stuff).The power lines are burried throught the community, and according to many long-time residents the power is *very* reliable. Also, since it's on the Eastside of the mountains, the power is also cheaper than on the Westside. Electricity just make sense. But that's where the choices/decisions start to become a little muddled.

Radiant Heating Choices

Hydronic radiant heat

• Tried-and-tested, and many subs are accustomed to installing.😊
• Tubing is thick, adding to floor thickness. 😡
• Pumps wear out eventually. 😡
• Cost of installation can be expensive, and I'm not competent to DIY it. 😡

Electric radiant heat

I've found a number of manufacturers of radiant floor heating, which is the direction I'm most likely to go.  The one I currently favor, Step Warm Floor (warmfloor.com) has a thin, flexible, low-voltage conductive, self-regulating polymer.

The other vendors I'm still considering include Nuheat, Warmlyours, Floorheat, Warmup, Heatizon, Speedheat, Suntouch, Carbonicheat.

Here's my analysis of Step (so far).

• Low voltage, DC current 😊. This is fairly unique; most other vendors are 110V/220V.
• They claim they are more effecient than other electric solutions, but no one has done a true side-by-side scientific comparison. 😡
• Very thin & easy to install. 😊 Potentially DIY friendly.
• There are no moving parts to wear out (although eventually AC/DC trasnformers will wear out). 😊
• The warranties from any company don't exceed 5 or 10 years. What happens when it fails in 11 years?! I'll have to tear out all my concrete floors.😡 But, of course, the same could be true of hydronic as well, so I've decided not to worry about this too much, but instead make sure I choose a product from a reputable, well-established company.

What would you do?

Since we're located about 4,000 in the mountains, I've decided not to worry too much about air conditioning. I am making sure we have screens on the windows and can get a cross breeze. Plus, we'll be well insulated.

Also, because I expect the cabin to be pretty "tight" (well-insulated), I'm also planning to have fans in the bathrooms on each level that vent to the exterior so I can move the air. Don't want a sick house.