Articles Tagged with ''radiant heating''

Zoning has always been a premier benefit of hydronic heating and cooling systems. There are many zoning configurations capable of delivering heat (or cooling effect) when and where it’s needed in a building, with minimal effect on the temperature in other parts of the building. Some methods use circulators to create flow in each zone; others use either motorized or thermostatic valves to regulate flow.

Slip-and-fall accidents are among the most common liability claims in winter, according to AAA. Winter storms have cost billions of dollars in insured losses, just in the past few years. For businesses, that’s a major issue. In healthcare facilities where patient safety and uninterrupted access are non-negotiable, the stakes are even higher. Radiant snow melt systems can eliminate surface ice before it becomes a hazard, dramatically reducing legal exposure.

In a hydronic snow and ice melting (SIM) system, warm water/glycol circulates through pipes embedded in concrete slabs to melt snow and ice above. With sensors, the system automatically activates based on temperature and moisture, effectively melting snow on contact by evaporating it or directing water to drains.

As radiant heating and cooling systems continue to grow in popularity for their superior comfort, energy efficiency, and quiet operation, the importance of proper system installation cannot be overstated. A poorly installed system—no matter how advanced its components—can fall short of expectations, leading to hot and cold spots, energy waste, or costly callbacks.

Radiant heating and cooling systems integrated with geothermal ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) offer an energy-efficient, comfortable, and sustainable approach to indoor climate control. This combined system leverages the stable temperatures of the Earth to provide heating and cooling through radiant surfaces, most commonly on floors but also on walls or ceilings.

As the building industry shifts to electrification, decarbonization, and high-efficiency infrastructure, radiant heating and cooling professionals lead the change. At this year’s AHR Expo in Orlando, FL, Greg Cunniff of Egg Geo presented 'Future of BEST – Net the Energy with Community Thermal Energy Networks'.

The ANS2 is universal, field-adjustable and designed for simple calibration and instillation. 

A recent design approach for air-to-water and water-to-water heat pumps is "direct-to-load" piping. This method utilizes an inverter-driven scroll compressor, which operates across a wide range of speeds and can handle on/off cycling without the high inrush current typically seen in fixed-speed compressors.

Last month's column discussed piping for air-to-water heat pumps. A 2-pipe system allows staging but not simultaneous heating and cooling, while a 4-pipe system with motorized valves enables both modes of operation.

Air-to-water heat pumps, especially for larger systems, can be used in stages for efficient temperature control and flexibility, utilizing variable-speed compressors and specific piping setups to manage heating and cooling loads.