heating concrete porch with existing hw/baseboard system

[rerskine]

I would like info on using my hw/baseboard system to heat a 6X10 area of my new front porch & maybe the sidewalk leading to the steps. I have easy access to the plumbing on the perimeter of the house where I need it. The new line would be tied into existing just before returning to boiler. Would this cause a problem with the house warmth? Would the extra distance (plus being plumbed in outside concrete) cause my heating system to be inadequate? If feasible, what material to use for new line? Existing is copper. Any help would be appreciated. I do my own plumbing work & the contractors around here are not helpful. This is not a common application in NE Indiana. Thank you for your help.

[Christine]

You should not just use the water going through the baseboard for slab heating or snow melting. This MUST be low temperature, antifreeze solution fluid. The baseboard system uses 180 degree water. (usually). A radiant system could possibly use fluid temperatures as low as 100 degrees. This is controlled using a mixing valve. It is complicated and should not be tried by anyone except a professional. I am not trying to knock someone who wants to try something themselves but this is not one of those projects. If you would like to seriously research this further let me know.

[Christine]

If the porch will be a continuously heated living area, then it can use the existing heating system with the use of a mixing valve to reduce the temperature. The sidewalk and any other intermittent area would require an antifreeze based system heated by a heat exchanger attached to or inserted into the boiler.: I would like info on using my hw/baseboard system to heat a 6X10 area of my new front porch & maybe the sidewalk leading to the steps. I have easy access to the plumbing on the perimeter of the house where I need it. The new line would be tied into existing just before returning to boiler. Would this cause a problem with the house warmth? Would the extra distance (plus being plumbed in outside concrete) cause my heating system to be inadequate? If feasible, what material to use for new line? Existing is copper. Any help would be appreciated. I do my own plumbing work & the contractors around here are not helpful. This is not a common application in NE Indiana. Thank you for your help.

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