How to Shop For a Radiant Heat Manifold

Collecting and distributing water in the PEX circuitsas well as bounding the manifold.
of the radiant system is the main function ofDrain valve: It is important to drain the radiant
radiant heat manifold. They are commonly sold insystem for maintenance in order to keep it
two pairs, the supply and return. Supply manifoldworking efficiently. Drain valves make it easier to
works by delivering hot water from the boiler topurge and fill the system at a faster rate.
various outlets.Air vents: Used to remove air from the heating
Normally fixed with pex tubing, the outlet of thesystem, air vents come in two types, automatic
radiant manifold then supply water where it isand manual versions. The manual version only
needed such as radiators or baseboards. Once theallows the air to move away only in the initial
heated water is transferred, the pex tubing thenstages. On the other hand, the automatic air vent
deliver the water back to the return manifold thatversion will remove the air without needing any
gather and send water back to the heat source.separate device.
Radiant Pex manifold is identified according to theFlow meter: This device control the volume of
outlets on the manifolds. Oftentimes, zone iswater that stream through the radiant manifold
confused with circuits. To distinguish one another,outlet in GPM or gallons per minute. This is another
know that zone denotes an area where it needsimportant part of pex plumbing system because
to b heated such as a certain room whereaswithout proper control of the water, the whole
circuits refer to the pex tubing placed in thesystem cannot work efficiently. The flow meters
supply to the return manifold.are usually made from cylindrical-shaped glass or
In order to help you out next time you shop forclear plastic with red-coloured float inside.
radiant heat manifold, read the following products:Isolation ball valve: Shut-off valves that connect
Balancing valves: Regulates the flow of the waterthe supply and return lines to the pex manifold.
through desired outlets in the radiant manifold.One side of the device is set in a union-style
This is an important part of pex plumbing as theconnection whole the other side is a 1-inch NPT
valves provide various functions such as regulatinginlet.
the temperature in all circuits in the heat system