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I'm looking for advice and people's experience with in floor garage heat. I have a 30' x30' garage floor with in floor heating tubes installed. I'd like to keep the garage heated just above freezing in the colder months. What size of boiler would I need and where is the best place to purchase all required items. Ie boiler, expansion tank etc. Or can you buy everything as a package? Any info would be appreciated!

bmx007 said "I'm looking for advice and people's experience with in floor garage heat. I have a 30' x30' garage floor with in floor heating tubes installed. I'd like to keep the garage heated just above freezing in the colder months. What size of boiler would I need and where is the best place to purchase all required items. Ie boiler, expansion tank etc. Or can you buy everything as a package? Any info would be appreciated! "

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I use a 10L ,120Volt, hot water tank, and a timer that runs every 1/2 hour or less, keeps my garage at 8 to 10 degrees, no thermostat, 1000 sq feet,r22 in the walls, under floor insulation,melts snow off vehicles,has a expansion tank, it would never heat it much more than that you would need another source of heat,I think there is about 11 gallons in the system

Just remember must be CSA approved for insurance, home made or hot water tanks are not approved for infloor heat  
 
Edited by cotr, 2016-07-16 14:11:06

I did in floor heat in my 26x28 garage. Three loops on a 5 kW electric boiler and set it up on a thermostat. I've done a few systems and all work great. You need to insulate under the slab of concrete to have a proper thermal break so the heat rises instead of trying to heat the ground. Vapour barrier is a must under the insulation. Use 1" closed cell foam board or 2" white styrofoam.  
The bigger the floor space, the more loops you need. If you have big doors the. You'll want closer loops near the doors for quicker recovery when the doors open.

For hot water heated floors you should have a foot of pipe for every square foot. So a 600 square foot room would require 6oo ft of pipe. If you use less the room can be heated but the floor will have spots which are warmer.  
 
I use a 40 gallon hot water tank to heat my garage. I have antifreeze in the system so lines will not freeze. I have an inline thermostat controlling the circulating pump. If I am plan to work in the garage I will set the temp higher but for the most part keep it just above freezing.  
 
I have both elements hooked parallel so need to use 10 gauge wire and a 40 amp breaker. It has worked will for me the past four years.

Mine is a CEB6 Lion boiler. Keep the Thermostat set at 38 F. 24x24 garage. Fluid used Ethylene Glycol.  
Most plumbing companies (like Brandon plumbing) will give you a quote that will be up to code.  
Has been in for 5 plus years now. Will post a photo