John Siegenthaler: Hydronics Workshop

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Have you noticed the strong interest in cold-climate air-source heat pumps over the last couple of years?

One of the “delights” of designing hydronic systems is looking for synergistic opportunities, where one device provides multiple functions or benefits that would otherwise require two or more separate devices.

In last month’s Hydronics Workshop column I described five devices that would, in my opinion, improve and expand the North American hydronics industry.  Here’s my “wish list” from that column:

All companies that supply hydronic heating hardware to the North American market strive to offer products that are currently in demand. Some even look farther down the road, anticipating where the market is headed.

All boilers that burn hydrocarbon fuels (natural gas, propane, oil, wood) produce water vapor as a byproduct of combustion.

Water-to-water heat pumps supplied from closed earth loops are ideal heat sources for low-temperature hydronic floor-heating systems.

There will always be fringe markets for products that use renewable energy to provide marginal heating comfort. These markets survive because early adopters willingly sacrifice superior comfort as the perceived price for using renewable energy.

Radiant floors don’t necessarily have to feel warm to work properly.