Radiant floor installations rarely need more than seasonal adjustment. Typically, they are set up at the time of installation and just need to be switched on or off depending on the time of year.

At installation, the ball valve on the heat exchanger bypass stays about 1/3 closed at all times, forcing some of the hot solar fluid through the heat exchanger, but allowing most of it to go to the radiant floor heating (or shunt loop in the off-season).

The trick is to tweak that ball valve so that you get plenty of hot water as well as comfortable heating. To do this, check the tank temperature on a sunny day. It should be 140°F (60°C). If it isn't, adjust the ball valve slightly until you've got it spot on. You will never need to adjust it again once it's in the correct position.

Seasonal adjustment is simple:

• In late summer or fall – close the shunt loop valve and open the radiant floor valve.
• In spring – open the shunt loop valve and close the radiant floor valve.

For the first few years, you will be experimenting with the indoor temperature and the best time to switch the radiant floor heating back on. Most people switch on as early as possible in summer, leaving windows open to keep the temperature down while storing as much heat as possible for the winter. Some systems are never switched off.

Remember to keep notes of when you switch the system on or off, so that you can refer back and work out the best process for your home.