Wetbacks. And shit (no, not referring to spics)

[Akzle]

My Family installed underfloor heating and yes it can take at least a year. The reason given was, it takes that time for the concrete to properly dry out. The system is running better now just make sure it is correctly insulated all the way around (under is usually done but the edge was left open, for us). Other wise its a very nice heat.

the moral of the story is build in summer. And get local crete without additives.

[Edbear]

http://www.plumbers.co.nz/

And these guys have a specialist underfloor heating team.

http://www.europlumbing.co.nz/

[unstuck]

Make sure your concrete has plenty of lime in it Akzel, otherwise you may find it cracking when the water gets too hot. I did something like what you are wanting for my father in law in his green house for a seedling table and just used 20mm alkathene surrounded in sand and then incased in concrete. Worked ok too, but the heat was not enough I though, but he was happy, so all good.

[scissorhands]

might give you ideas for alternatives

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kotatsu

A kotatsu (炬燵?) is a low, wooden table frame covered by a futon, or heavy blanket, upon which a table top sits. Underneath is a heat source, often built into the table itself.[1] Kotatsu are used almost exclusively in Japan, although similar devices are used elsewhere.....

In some ways, the concrete pad idea seems flawed. Heat loss into the ground means low efficiency, hence the need to wrap the concrete pad. Also heat will be distributed across the whole pad[unless taps are installed] meaning unused areas are receiving heat when its more required in other areas.

I'm thinking a portable heat sink, that you can unplug from the fire, a wheel around the house, to bedrooms etc, but there are problems with lugging a box of rocks about all the time.

[george formby]

Mentioning a box of rocks immediately made me think Sauna, steam keeps you warm....

[Akzle]

http://www.plumbers.co.nz/

And these guys have a specialist underfloor heating team.

http://www.europlumbing.co.nz/

once again. You miss the point entirely.

[Akzle]

might give you ideas for alternatives

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kotatsu

A kotatsu (炬燵?) is a low, wooden table frame covered by a futon, or heavy blanket, upon which a table top sits. Underneath is a heat source, often built into the table itself.[1] Kotatsu are used almost exclusively in Japan, although similar devices are used elsewhere.....

In some ways, the concrete pad idea seems flawed. Heat loss into the ground means low efficiency, hence the need to wrap the concrete pad. Also heat will be distributed across the whole pad[unless taps are installed] meaning unused areas are receiving heat when its more required in other areas.

I'm thinking a portable heat sink, that you can unplug from the fire, a wheel around the house, to bedrooms etc, but there are problems with lugging a box of rocks about all the time.

yeah nah. Theres only 2 rooms, and this is wanted for an alfresco shower.
When i dont want or need the heat, i stop burning shit.
But while youre japponaise, check out hibachi.

[Akzle]

Mentioning a box of rocks immediately made me think Sauna, steam keeps you warm....

its on my todo list. Altho a few hookers in the caravan of a summer nights eve the effect is the same.