Questions about a low cost system that doesn't need alot of heat.
Hey Everyone,
Longtime lurker to reddit and brand new to geothermal. AI / google cannot answer my questions so I made this account just for this question. Yeah I'm an actual human, I'm pretty handy, reasonably smart, but I need advice without 'industry terms' because I am BRAND NEW to geothermal.
OK here goes.
I am going to build a 24'x 36' free standing detached garage in Connecticut. 100 amp service that will have a sub-panel in the garage (house has 200 amp). Slab on grade, Versatube prefab steel structure with insulation and drywall. The garage will be used for working on cars and such. It will NOT be a man-cave.
All I want is a floor that won't freeze my feet and body as I work in there over the winters. So my thoughts are to run pex radiant in the slab to get the concrete slightly warmer. I am NOT interested in a "heated garage" I just don't want to be miserable when I am laying on the floor for hours on end. I am pretty aware of how to insulate and pour the slab, and reasonably confident in the pex layout. The information I am looking for is how to heat the liquid in pex using ground warmth only. I would like to avoid heating the liquid with a furnace of any kind. I.E. "free heat"
I imagine a simple pump that will constantly circulate the liquid and keep the concrete "warm". To paint the picture a bit clearer, I plan on working in there with a jacket and hat on and I really don't mind the cold that much. So again, it doesn't need to be a living space, but I also don't want an ice rink. As the snow falls off the car, I'd like it to melt and run down the pitch.
Please explain it like I am 5, I'm pretty sure have an undiagnosed learning disability.
Thanks in advance
Peace, love, and all that happy horse poop.
edit - ceilings will be 16' high or so. I have buddies that owe me favors so site work and concrete work will be done on the cheap. I am an electrician so hanging a couple of space heaters from the ceiling would not be hard.
All I need really is for snow to melt when it falls off the cars and my toes not to freeze inside my boots.