The versatility of modern hydronics technology allows designers to create systems that are “customized” to the needs — and constraints — of almost any building. While best known for space heating, most modern hydronic systems for residential buildings also include provisions for heating domestic water.
Still, for many decades, one of the “shortcomings” of smaller hydronic systems has been the inability to cool buildings. This missing link has undoubtedly swayed many prospective clients away from hydronic systems, defaulting instead to ducted forced air because it provides both heating and cooling. Many of those decisions were made without factoring in the differences in comfort between these competing distribution systems.