HYDRONIC HEATING: DESIGNING COMFORT INTO THE HOME
You’ve heard all about the high demand for Hydronic Heating (heating with hot water) from homeowners. These homeowners are requesting Hydronic Heating because they are increasingly thinking long-term. They are thinking of year-to-year, day-to-day, minute-to-minute heating comfort. They are thinking energy efficiency – the ability to create several heating zones in their house.
But you need to be sure your Hydronic Heating system design works the way it should so it will deliver all these heating advantages. How do you do that? Where does an architect or engineer turn to ensure that the Hydronic Heating system will be installed correctly, meeting all applicable codes, and working properly?
These are some of the questions we will address, and we’ll try to steer you to the right places to get solid, reliable answers about Hydronic Heating Systems.
What Is Hydronic Heating?
Hydronic Heating is residential and commercial heating that uses hot water as the heat transfer medium. A boiler transfers its heat to water which is then circulated to heat distributors throughout the home. These heat distributors can be radiators, finned tube baseboard, radiant tubing, towel warmers, and kick space heaters (heaters that fit under a kitchen or bathroom cabinet and operate with a small fan for heat distribution). In addition, the boiler can be used to indirectly heat domestic water, pools, and whirlpool baths. It can also be used for ice and snow melting on sidewalks and driveways. Check out the following links for a close look at Hydronic Heating Systems from the architect’s and engineer’s perspective.