Open Direct Radiant Heating

The Open Direct System uses a single domestic water heater for space heating and domestic hot water, eliminating the need for a boiler. The low operating temperatures of radiant heating allow the use of state-of-the-art condensing domestic water heaters which are 95 percent efficient. Manual for installing the Open Direct System.

The direct system uses one efficient water heater to provide hot water for radiant heat and domestic water. Radiantec's reasons and considerations as to why the Open Direct System is the best system to choose. This system is efficient & compatible with solar.

What is the Open Direct System? The Open Direct System uses the same domestic hot water heater that makes hot water for bathing and laundry to provide space heating, too. I am in the middle of a radiant hydronic heating system in my own new home. I looked at the open systems and the products and designs pushed by the suppliers mentioned in the FHB article.

The open system uses one heat source, your domestic water heater, to provide both floor heating and domestic hot water. The two systems are basically tied together. The same water that ends up in your hot shower or dishwasher, for example, has passed through the floor first.

If you want to create an argument amongst radiant floor heat installers, bring up the subject of open radiant heat systems. An open radiant floor heat system is one in which the potable water that serves the drinking and bathing needs of the house is also used to heat the floors. Try driving around, or should I say sitting in the passenger seat, with a brand spanking new driver! Makes open systems look pretty tame (G).

Besides which, you guys are doing an excellent job without my input. Anybody advocating open system construction needs a check up from the neck up IMHO. With radiant, you can control more human comfort variables.

Specifically, you can adjust the actual surface temperatures of the objects in a space by emitting heat through a network of PEX pipes hidden in the floors, ceilings or walls. One attractive feature is that the Open/Direct System is one of the simplest heating systems ever to be developed. The Open/Direct System as supplied by Radiantec Company meets the requirements of the International Code Council and other major national code bodies.