AboutMorgan M. Audetat Expertise Expertise: Current owner www.BadgerBoilerService.com Minneapolis based mechanical contractor specializing in hydronic based, integrated HVAC systems. Radiant floor heating/cooling. Snow Melting. ModCon Boilers. Indirect water heaters. Tankless water heaters. System design, consulting and technical training world-wide.
Currently designing hot water based HVAC and snow melting systems for spaces ranging from 50 to 50m square feet. Consulting fees start at $500.00US
Experience Experience: in HVAC - 30 years. Charter Board Member - Radiant Panel Association, former manufacturer of the first American-made, wall-hung, sealed combustion condensing boilers, son and apprentice of mechanical & plumbing contractor.
Education: B.S. University WI 1981, Red Rocks Community College 1987.
Continuing Education: Nate Certification 2008, Uponor/Wirsbo advanced design school 2007, Power Limited License (low voltage controls) 40 CE credits 2005, Charter Board Member - Radiant Panel Association 1994, Residential Off-Electric to Hydronic Conversion Heating School – Canadian Hydronics Council 1994, B&G Little Red School House 1993, Tekmar Controls residential and commercial 1993, Division Manager and Advanced Hydronic Seminar Instructor for the first Exclusively Hydronic Radiant Floor Distributor in the USA 1990, Hydronic Radiant Heating Association Workshop participant with Richard c. Bourne, PE spring 1988, Master Plumbing, Hydronic, Solar Course Red Rocks Community College 1987.
, 26 yrs. continuing education.
Licensed CO, MN & WI. Home Inspection license WI exp.
Awards and Honors: Radiant Panel Association System Showcase Award 2008
My momma's favorite son.
Past/Present Clients: References upon request.
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Question Our home was built in 1950 and has radiant heat in the floor/ceilings of the basement, first and second floors. The problem is that pipes in the ceiling of the second floor are basically also heating the attic and causing us to loose heat and ice to melt on our roof. We can turn the pipes down to some degree but can't turn them off, lest they freeze. So we have considered two options -- draining the system and putting anti-freeze in the whole system or draining the system and disconnecting the pipes going to the attic. I am concerned that since our copper pipes are 50 years old, and have not leaked so far, would the chemicals in the anti-freeze cause problems for the pipes or for our relatively new Munchkin boiler. Our concern about draining the pipes and disconnecting the one or two going to the attic/second floor, is that perhaps it will be too cold and we'll have to drain them again and reconnect that pipe. We currently have six pipes. We love the even heat but we do not like the fact that even when we cut the heat to 63 at 8 p.m., it is still 70-72 on the second floor, where we sleep.
That should do it!
Thanks very much for your advice.
Answer Anti-freeze makes any hydronic system use more fuel and electricity for the same work done. Great care must be taken when adding anti-freeze to a low-mass boiler like the Munchkin.
Can't you add insulation in the attic?
Is the second floor zone controlled by its own thermostat?
