Radiant Heat Panels

[Volta]

Should the existing radiant heat panels be reinstalled, or should they be replaced with new?

I've not been to the house. A GC we work with has removed one or more panels for a remodeling project. They are likely 25 years old, maybe more. There are many more working in the house. The manufacturer used to be called Glass Heat, now they are Radiant Electric Heat.

The representative there expects that they can last up to 50 years. They/he didn't seem to know why the older versions went bad, but thought that physical stress might be involved, as shattering was not rare.

The newer versions are ceramic, and don't shatter, the element simply becomes open, causing the end of life. I don't know yet which type these are, but the age makes either possible.

Assuming they worked before the project, and were handled and stored carefully, are they worth reinstalling?

 

[S'mise]

A question for whoever is paying for it. If it was me, I would ohm it out (make sure its good) and reinstall them. Of cource I'm a tight wad

 

[Volta]

Yeah, what I learned since then is that the older glass ones tended to shatter for unknown reasons, after decades, that was the end of life. When this company moved to ceramic the panels lasted a similar lifetime, but stayed intact when the element finally went bad.

I suggested to the GC that he decide what the newly finished bathroom would look like if the unit had to be replaced in a year or two. Especially if the replacement was a different size.