John Seigenthaler: Renewable Heating Design

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I’m sure everyone reading this column has heard the adage “a picture is worth a thousand words.”  

In last month’s column, I presented a “template” for a system that provides space heating, cooling and domestic water heating using a cold climate air-to-water heat pump as the primary heat source, and the sole source of chilled water for cooling. 

Whenever a hydronic system is divided into several zones, it’s worth considering a buffer tank between the heat source and distribution system.

There are sorted opinions about using expansion tanks within closed geothermal earth loops. 

I’m fortunate to be living next door to a very unique hydronic heating/cooling system.

A commonality among all renewable energy heat sources is that they perform best when coupled to low-temperature hydronic distribution systems. 

Through and around.

Some things don’t vary proportionally.

An established technique that can be used in renewable energy systems.

What remains is to assemble a control system that can orchestrate all the required subsystems.